| Shopping online is something that is becoming | | | | associated with a transaction. It is often the case that |
| increasingly popular. Every day more people are | | | | these are over-looked according to published research. |
| coming online from around the world to complete | | | | 3. Secure Payment Gateway |
| purchases. With such an increase in overall online | | | | When shopping online it is important that you only enter |
| spend, it is important that you know exactly what you | | | | your payment details via a secure payment gateway. |
| should be looking out for when shopping online. | | | | In order to identify a secure payment gateway you |
| Although the costs of online goods can be much less, | | | | should look in the address bar on the page where you |
| especially as a result of fewer overheads for retailers, | | | | are going to enter your payment details. If it reads |
| it is important that you are a savvy online shopper if | | | | https:// rather than http:// then it means that your data |
| you want to ensure you remain safe and get a good | | | | is being encrypted and as such will likely get to where |
| deal. | | | | it is supposed to. Please note that this does not apply |
| 1. Credit Card v Debit Card | | | | throughout every page of the site, it only applies on the |
| When shopping online it is much safer to use your | | | | actual page that is being used to process payments. |
| credit card than your debit card for online purchases. | | | | 4. Read the T and C |
| The reason for this is that when you use a credit card | | | | This may come as a shock to you, but you should |
| you can charge-back the merchant if you are not | | | | always read the terms and conditions! Failing to read |
| happy with the goods or service that you purchased. It | | | | the terms and conditions may not seem too important |
| is also important to use a credit card because of online | | | | at the time, but it certainly will retrospectively should |
| fraud. If you are subject to fraud with your credit card | | | | anything go wrong. A savvy shopper will always |
| then the credit card company will give you a refund | | | | recognize the importance of ensuring they know |
| whilst your bank will not in the case of your debit card. | | | | exactly what they are agreeing to. |
| 2. Shop Around | | | | 5. Check for Contact Details |
| When you are online it is surprising to find that only one | | | | Should a website not have contact details such as |
| company is selling the good or service that you are | | | | address and telephone number then dealing with them |
| looking to buy. Because this is very rare it is a good | | | | is not a good choice. When you deal with a company |
| idea to look in many online shops before finally making | | | | and pay them money it is reasonable to assume you |
| a purchase. When you are shopping around and | | | | should be able to easily contact them when something |
| looking at the different prices offered it is also | | | | goes wrong. If you cannot find anything other than an |
| important to consider any shipping costs that are | | | | email address then don't give them your money! |