People should enjoy a safe online shopping experience. Therefore, they should follow a number of simple, common sense procedures while they are online.
• Note refund, warranty, guarantee and other policies.
Ensure that you are dealing with a reputable, reliable merchant that will offer you online shopping peace-of-mind that you would get elsewhere. If the online merchant doesn't post sufficient information to furnish your information need such as policies, consider taking your shopping elsewhere.
· Look for the latest credit card password procedures, such as Verified by Visa.
Major credit card issuer has come up with a secure system online that involves use of a password known only to the credit card owner. Users now have highest form of online security possible when shopping, and so you should look for sites that support these new standards.
· Make sure that the checkout process is secure
· Ensure that you are using a website that provides full "encryption" over the credit card transaction, which helps to ensure that your credit card information can't be accessed while it is in transit. You can determine this by looking for a small "padlock" at the bottom of your browser screen, or by a message indicating that you are entering a secure site.
· Look for privacy and security policies
A company that is very conscious about security issues will most often post some information online for you to read. Take the time to look for the security and privacy policies that the online store might have posted and read them, since this will give you more comfort that you are shopping with a site that will carefully guard your credit card and personal information.
· If concerned, do due diligence
Dealing with an online store, but are unsure whether they are reliable and credible, do a search for them on the Internet, to see if other consumers have expressed concern or have had positive or negative experiences.
· Understand the "safe-shopping" policies established by the issuer of your credit card
Take the time to understand the guarantees that your card-issuer offers with respect to shopping online. You will likely find that even if you are subjected to an online fraud, you will not be liable for any loss greater than $50, which should put your mind to rest.
