Please take a moment to read the following safe shopping tips about online shopping. At ChoiceWorld we dedicate a lot of time and resources to online safety, but we also know that shoppers need to be prepared.
1. Know your Merchant:
It's a good practice to be familiar with the name or reputation of any company you're dealing with. You can often find helpful information about online companies from Internet news sources, directories, and rating services. The Federal Trade Commission maintains a Web site (www.consumer.gov) that provides many buyer's guides, lists of tips, and links to helpful resources. The Better Business Bureau (www.bbb.org) also maintains a Web site where you can check out a merchant or file a complaint.
2. Protect your privacy:
Know what information the merchant is collecting about you, how it will be used, and if they share it with or sell it to others. You can do this by checking the Web site to make sure there is a privacy policy posted, and that you're comfortable with the way your personal information is treated under that policy. Look for seals from privacy enforcement organizations like TRUSTe or BBBOnLine. Be cautious if you're asked to supply personal information not needed to make a purchase, such as your Social Security number or personal bank account information. We post a link to our ChoiceWorld Privacy Policy at the bottom of most ChoiceWorld pages. We have recommended to merchants using ChoiceWorld that they post a similar policy on their sites.
3. Get the Details:
Check for expected delivery dates, shipping and handling fees, warranties, return policies, and other important information. Look for an email address to write to (or a phone number to call) if you have a question, a problem, or if you need help. We recommend to all ChoiceWorld merchants that they post all of this pertinent information on their "Information" pages and that they stay in touch with customers using the email and order-tracking tools that we provide. Look for such a page on any ChoiceWorld store. Keep in mind that if you need to return a product, you must return it directly to the merchant. It’s good practice to print off the merchant information to have it handy in case any problems emerge.
4. Use a Credit Card and Safeguard Your Password:
It's a good practice to pay with credit cards, because under U.S. federal law (and your credit card agreement) your liability for an unauthorized charge is limited to $50. When using a credit card online, look for an unbroken key or padlock (a graphical icon usually located in the bottom corner of the web page), or for a policy that indicates use of strong security technology such as SSL. This indicates that your credit card data is transmitted securely. Keep your passwords safe, and don't share them with other people.
5. Keep Good Records:
Make sure to print or save electronically any records related to your online transactions. This will help you keep track of shipping dates, shipping and handling fees, and other details of your transactions. It will also help you track down the order in case you don’t receive your shipment or receive the wrong shipment.
• To file a complaint about a fraudulent business practice or to get free information on how to spot, stop, and avoid one, call the Federal Trade Commission, toll-free, at 1-877-FTC-HELP (382-4357) or visit www.ftc.gov and click on "Consumer Protection."
• You can also file a complaint about a fraudulent business practice and get more online shopping safety tips at the Better Business Bureau (www.bbb.org).
|
