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Make online shopping
easy, safe
By Bankrate.com
Buying online is so easy, a couple of clicks,
type in your credit card information and voila! No standing in lines,
or hassles with parking, just relax and click.
Before you begin flexing your mouse, here are
some important factors to consider.
Find out if the Web site you are visiting
has a privacy policy.
The same thing goes for your card issuer. Know how your personal
information will be handled.
Make sure your transactions are handled through
a secure or encrypted mode.
Most merchants use SSL, the secure socket layer protocol. To tell
whether a merchant is running SSL:
- Look at the URL, or Internet location. Most
start with http:// When the SSL protocol is in place,
the URL will start with https:// -- the s
stands for secure. Make sure when you are asked to provide credit
card information, the URL starts with https://
- Your browser indicates when you are using
SSL. Netscape shows locked padlock. Microsoft's Internet Explorer
shows a lock on the status bar when SSL is encrypting the information.
Similarly, AOL shows a lock on the bottom right-hand corner when
SSL is encrypting information.
- Many online merchants will advertise the
fact they are running a secure server. Look for a notice on the
home page, or a security section somewhere on the site.
Allow yourself plenty of time.
Just because you are shopping online doesn't mean you can wait until
the last minute. Allow enough time for shipping and back orders
when necessary.
Keep all your records.
Print out privacy policies, warranties, price guarantees and other
important information.
Verify the e-store.
If you're shopping with a merchant for the first time, look for
the Trust-e symbol or a Better Business Bureau online seal, which
indicate the seller has been independently audited and deemed trustworthy.
--Updated: Oct. 31, 2003
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