Top Ten e-Shopping Tips
1. Use a credit card with a safe online shopping guarantee or
a website with a safe shopping guarantee. Look for a credit
card with specific guarantees, like 100% coverage for any losses
due to fraud when shopping on the Internet such as Amex or NextCard
Visa.
Many credit cards only cover a percentage or the first $50
toward fraud. Many websites offer no safe shopping guarantee.
Our safe shopping guarantee applies regardless of the
credit card chosen.
2. Shop
only at websites that offer encryption protection. A protected website will
have one or more of these three features: the small lock/key
symbol at the bottom of your browser window; an address that
starts with https ("s" for "secure") instead
of just http; and a warning box that pops up at the point of
purchase. Our shopping cart offers you a choice of SSL encryption or no encryption - for
those using older browsers. In addition we offer call in or mail
in options.
3. Look
for and read a website's privacy and security policy. Stay clear of a website
that either doesn't have one or does not guarantee your personal
information will not be sold. Our privacy policy. Our security policy.
4.
Research your merchant. Many
websites offer independent customer satisfaction survey
results (see ours at the left) and public customer feedback. See comments from our
customers.
Also companies, such as BizRate.com, let consumers evaluate
hundreds of different merchants on criteria such as customer
service, privacy policies, and content. Look at the ratings
consumers give them and stay clear of websites that receive poor
marks.
5. Print
out a copy of your order and confirmation number for your
records. Reputable merchants will usually send you an email
confirming your order. However a hard copy is always good to
have in case your order is lost, deleted or not delivered as
promised. We give you a printable invoice and receipt as the
final page of your order and we email you a copy and
we permit you to look at your invoice
online
anytime.
6. Never
share your website passwords with anyone. Write them down and store
them in a safe place.
7. Do not
use the same username and password at every website. Should your personal
information be compromised, a thief won’t get very far if you
use different passwords and usernames on different websites.
8.
Consider using only one credit card to shop with online. This helps keep track of
your online purchases and will make it easier to spot purchases
that are fraudulent. Look for a card that allows you to review
transactions online as well – you'll be more likely to notice
a problem early on.
9. Don't
enter more information at a merchant website than is absolutely
necessary.
There is
usually no reason why you should have to supply information such
as birth dates or Social Security numbers when making a
purchase. Fill in only the bare essentials necessary to make
your purchase. See item 10 below to help you minimize extra
information requests.
10. Ship
to the billing address of your credit card or call your card
company and authorize a "ship to" address. If you
try to ship to a "non authorized address", most
legitimate online companies won't accept the order or
alternatively to accept the order will require that you forward
a copy of the card and your identification. Example of
identity documentation request.
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