| Online identity theft is a serious crime that can clean | | | | is often unavailable in other countries. |
| out your life savingsand leave you with a damaged | | | | Seal of Approval |
| credit history that may take years to repair. | | | | For peace of mind, find out if the online store voluntarily |
| In the interim, obtaining loans, renting apartments, and | | | | belongsto a seal-of-approval program that sets |
| even applyingfor work can become increasingly | | | | privacy-related guidelines; suchas, the Better Business |
| difficult. Here is what you can do toprotect yourself: | | | | Bureau Online ( TRUSTe ( |
| Internet and computer safeguards: | | | | Credit Cards VS. Debit Cards, Cash VS. Checks |
| Before you shop online, install and Update spyware | | | | Because of the federal Fair Credit Billing Act, credit |
| and virus protectionutilities to prevent a worm, virus or | | | | cards are thesafest way to shop online. Under this law |
| spyware program from sending outfiles or other | | | | you have the right to withholdpayments on disputed |
| stored information from your computer. Install a | | | | charges. It is good practice to use one credit |
| firewallon your home computer to prevent hackers | | | | cardwhen purchasing online to more readily track |
| from obtaining personal identifyingand financial data | | | | fraudulent charges. |
| from your hard drive. Encrypt sensitive files. | | | | Personal checks make you susceptible to bank fraud. |
| Before discarding your computer, use a strong "wipe" | | | | Money orders mayprevent this but do not offer |
| utility to removeall recoverable data. | | | | additional protection in the event of problemswith your |
| Find Out About the Company | | | | order. |
| If you are unfamiliar with the company, research it | | | | Use an actual credit card, not an ATM debit or check |
| before buying fromthem. If you decide to purchase | | | | card. As with checks,an ATM card may open your |
| something from an unknown retailer, startout with an | | | | personal banking information to criminals. Debitcards |
| inexpensive test order to see if the company comes | | | | are not protected to the same extent as credit cards. |
| through. | | | | If you haveto use a debit card, consider using one with |
| Trustworthy companies advertise their real business | | | | a limited balance that youuse solely for online |
| address and phonenumber, or customer service line. | | | | purchases. |
| See if they are listed on the Internetyellow pages. | | | | Keep Your Password Private |
| Call the company directly to determine if their business | | | | Reputable e-commerce sites may require the shopper |
| is genuine. | | | | to log-in by creatinga username and a password |
| Find out how the merchant handles returns. | | | | before placing or viewing an order. Never revealyour |
| Read their Privacy Policy | | | | password to anyone. When selecting a password, do |
| Reputable e-commerce sites should offer a Privacy | | | | not use commonlyknown information, such as your |
| Policy explaininghow your personal information may be | | | | birth date, or driver's license number. |
| shared with third parties. To preventunwanted e-mail | | | | Do not reuse the same password for other sites. A |
| ("spam"), junk mail, or phone calls, read their | | | | good password has atleast eight characters and |
| privacypolicies before submitting your personal | | | | includes both letters and numbers. |
| information. | | | | Do NOT Give Out Your Social Security Number |
| Verify the Web Site Address | | | | There is no reason for any merchant to ask for your |
| Cyber-criminals have been known to create | | | | Social Securitynumber. It is not a requirement for |
| counterfeit sites that looklike authentic, well-established | | | | purchasing online. |
| companies. Check the website address atthe top of | | | | Disclose as Little Information as Possible |
| the screen, when you first visit an online store and | | | | Merchants often try to obtain more information about |
| check ifit is the same as the real company's. | | | | you than necessary. |
| Shop on Secured Transaction Protected Sites | | | | They may want to know your leisurely activities, |
| A secure site uses encryption technology to transfer | | | | income or interests. Thisinformation may be used for |
| information fromyour computer to the online | | | | marketing purposes and can lead to "spam",junk mail |
| merchant's computer. There are a couple ofways to | | | | and telemarketers. |
| discern whether a site is secure. | | | | Only answer questions you deem are required to |
| At the time of entering personal credit card information, | | | | process your order. Often,required questions will be |
| look atthe address bar to see The "s" after "http" | | | | marked with an asterisk (*). |
| indicates secure. | | | | Print a Hard Copy of Your Order |
| Often, you will not see the "s" until time of check out. | | | | After placing an order, you should be directed to a |
| Another way to know if a web site is secure is to look | | | | confirmation pagethat reviews your entire order along |
| for a closedpadlock displayed at the bottom of your | | | | with customer service informationand a confirmation |
| screen. If that lock is open, youshould assume it is not | | | | number. Keep it for your records for at least the |
| a secure site. Some browsers indicate a securesite | | | | periodcovered by the return/warranty policy. |
| with an unbroken key. | | | | Often you will also receive a confirmation e-mail. Be |
| Shop in the USA | | | | sure to keep itin your inbox along with any other |
| By shopping in the U.S., you are protected by both | | | | correspondence until you are satisfiedwith your |
| federal and stateconsumer laws. Consumer protection | | | | purchase. |