Shop Safely Online

Always look into a company or seller before you bid or buy. Find Out where a company is located. Ask the company for its address and phone number - and follow up on it.

Find out about the company’s return and refund policies and terms of any product and service guarantees. Review these terms. If you can’t find them, call or email the seller, ask them to specify where the policies are on the site or to supply them to you in writing. Be sure you have a thorough understanding of everything involved before making an order including your consumer rights.

Keep a Paper Trail. Print out the "address" of the company site you are on. Print out a copy of your order and confirmation number for your records. Print the terms and condition, warranties, item description, company information.

Always use a secure Internet browser that “encrypts” or scrambles your personal or financial information, before you give your payment information, there should be various icons and software programs that indicate that security software is in use.

Double-check the price of the item. Whether the item is being sold as new or used, be wary of prices that are too good to be true. Also think carefully whether you may be paying too much for an item, especially if you’re bidding through an auction site. Remember it is essential to shop around before you buy, you should compare all items and prices both online and in person. Also be clear on any shipping and handling charges.

Don’t be fooled by a websites appearance. A professional looking website does not always mean security. Beware of pressure for an immediate response or frenzied claims of limited availability. Many of these offers are emailed. Remember scam artists roam the Internet too.