You’re browsing the Web and found a great buy on a jacket: good price, in your size, and just the right color. But is it safe to buy online? What can you do to make sure your money and privacy are protected? These simple steps that can improve your online shopping experience.
Investigate
the Seller
Anyone can sell things
online, so it is a good
habit to check out the
online seller before you
make a purchase. Make sure
the Web site gives the
business’ name, mailing
address (more than a post
office box) and telephone
number. Are you familiar
with the seller’s
merchandise or services? Can
you tell exactly what
you’re getting based on
the site’s description or
pictures?
Also, do you understand all costs (including price, shipping, and taxes), delivery time, warranty information, and the return policy? Make sure the site has clear information about what you can do if you have problems with your purchase.
Check
the Site’s Security
Only do business with
companies that use secure
server technology. This
works with your Web browser
to scramble your personal
information—such as your
credit card number—as as
it travels over the
Internet. If the site is
secure, the “http” in
the address bar at the top
of your screen will change
to “https” or
“shttp” at the page
where you are asked to type
in payment information.
Always check for this before
entering your information.
Don’t buy online if the
site isn’t secure.
Read
the Site's Privacy Policy
Understand how the seller
will use your personal
information. Many online
stores will sell information
about you to other
companies. But, today,
companies have to let you
choose whether or not the
company can share your
information with others.
Exercise your right to
“opt out” if you don’t
want the seller to pass to
others information about
you. If you don’t like the
privacy policy, don’t deal
with that retailer.
A recent survey showed that 78 percent of people responding are “uncomfortable” to “extremely uncomfortable” with providing personal information to online merchants with no privacy policy or seal on their Web site.
Choose
Your Password Carefully
If you use a password to log
on to your computer, choose
a different one to make a
purchase. Also, use an
unpredictable combination of
numbers, letters and
symbols. Do not give your
password to anyone who
contacts you, including
people who claim to be
employees of online services
or stores. Never use part or
all of your Social Security
number as a password.
Pay
By Credit Card
Paying by credit card is the
safest and quickest way to
shop online. The federal
Fair Credit Billing Act
gives you the right to
dispute credit card charges
for goods or services that
you never received, never
ordered or that were
misrepresented to you. So,
if you have a problem with
your purchase, you may be
able to withhold payment
while your credit card
company investigates the
problem.
Also, if a thief has used your credit card, you are usually responsible for only the first $50 in charges. For additional security, you can ask your credit card company about getting a “single-use” credit card number that allows you to buy online using a temporary card number.
Keep
a Record
Be sure to print and file a
copy of your order and
confirmation number in case
you have a problem with your
purchase. Keep a written
record of shipping and
handling costs as well as
the amount of the item(s).
By law, online businesses
must deliver merchandise
within 30 days of purchase
or notify you if there will
be a delay.
Better
Safe Than Sorry
In case you’re tempted to
think that safety
precautions aren’t all
that important when you make
purchases on the Internet,
consider this: Consumers
reported losses of more than
$200 million dollars to
Internet fraud in 2003. If
you value your hard earned
cash and your privacy, it
pays for you to take safety
precautions when you buy
online.
Complaint Resources
The following government agencies and private organization Web sites contain information on complaining about an online merchant:
Federal
Trade Commission
FTC Consumer Complaint Form
The purpose of this newsletter is to stimulate thought for my clients and those professionals with whom I network. If you are a real estate, estate planning, taxation, financial planning or insurance professional receiving this newsletter, please call my office and introduce yourself to me. I'm always seeking to grow my referral network, and to expose more service professionals to my client base. I specialize in helping those individuals looking to buy, sell or refinance real property in the Pacific Northwest Area.