| Website Security Rules of the Road | | | | the bottom of your Web browser window. Also, |
| More and more people are attracted to the ease | | | | do not provide your personal information if the |
| of online shopping and are spending higher | | | | website address doesnt start with https (a sign |
| amounts. Unfortunately, the chances of becoming | | | | that the site is using a secure server). |
| a victim of Internet fraud are also increasing. | | | | 6. Choose only verified sellers. Check to see if the |
| While many e-commerce Websites are reputable | | | | vendor is a verified member of a reputable third |
| and have taken the necessary safety precautions | | | | party such as the Better Business Bureau, |
| to protect you, it never hurts to always proceed | | | | VeriSign, or Guardian eCommerce. These |
| cautiously. If you are making an online purchase | | | | third-party sites help to ensure online consumers |
| consider these easy steps: | | | | will be protected when shopping or conducting |
| 1. Use only one credit card, preferably with a low | | | | e-commerce transactions. |
| credit limit, when making online purchases. Avoid | | | | 7. Check that the delivery date posted is |
| using an ATM or debit card. | | | | reasonable. If you have not dealt with the vendor |
| 2. Be wary of unsolicited offers by sellers. While | | | | on a regular basis, be wary of any Website that |
| the offer may be legitimate, spammers like to | | | | states the shipment will be delayed 20 or more |
| use this tactic to side-step reputable sites that | | | | days. Delivery dates of 7-10 days are more |
| provide consumer protection for online purchases. | | | | common. |
| 3. Use only reputable e-commerce websites that | | | | 8. Keep a paper trail of all online transactions. Print |
| list a street address and telephone number in | | | | out a hard copy of the transaction and keep it in |
| case you need to contact them directly. | | | | a file for future reference. |
| 4. Read the websites privacy policy. Some | | | | 9. Be wary of website offers that just sound too |
| websites may reserve the right to sell/give your | | | | good to be true. The Internet is littered with get |
| information to a third party. Check the document | | | | rich quick scams and false advertising claims. |
| to see if they allow an opportunity to opt-out of | | | | Investigate all claims thoroughly before proceeding. |
| receiving special offers from third-party vendors | | | | 10. If you do not receive what you paid for, and |
| or for permission to share your personal | | | | the vendor will not return your emails or calls, |
| information. | | | | contact your states Department of Consumer |
| 5. Check for a lock symbol in the status bar at | | | | Affairs for further assistance. |