Safe Shopping

Be sure the website you are buying from includes the Company address and a telephone number.  Give the number a call or send an email during office hours to check that a real person can be contacted should you have any problems with your purchase.

Do your research before buying. Make sure you know what the item costs, including shipping, handling and vat. Some sites display prices excluding vat, then add it during the 'checkout' process.

Understand the returns policy and the retailer's privacy policy.  Remember, even if the Company does not have a returns policy, you still have statutory rights.

Take a screenshot of your order page or save the page as an HTML file, rather than printing it out.

Check your credit card statement online frequently to monitor for fraudulent charges.

Keep your anti-virus up to date and be diligent about installing updates for browser, applications and operating system software.

Safeguard your passwords. Choose strong ones, change them often and vary them from site to site.

Don't conduct transactions on public computers or terminals, which could have keystroke loggers or other malware on them.

Avoid typing in credit card information without seeing "https" in the URL address bar and a closed padlock somewhere on the screen.

Avoid paying online with a debit card; use a credit card instead for more protection against liability in the case of fraud.

Beware of offers that are too good to be true, which often end up being scams.