| If you've ever shopped online for presents or gifts for | | | | somewhere else. |
| yourself or for an event you were going to attend, | | | | 3. Do not respond to an unsolicited e-mail that |
| you're probably fully aware that not all online stores | | | | promises to have gifts or products that are now on |
| are created equal. In fact, some stores are out to | | | | sale for 50-75% off if you've never heard of the |
| scam the consumer. This article intends to give you | | | | company. |
| five tips to help you avoid becoming a victim of an | | | | 4. Before making your online purchase, print out the |
| Internet fraud web site. | | | | site's contact information. Then do a domain name |
| Although shopping online is convenient and affords you | | | | lookup to see how long the domain name has been |
| the flexibility of comparing prices, names brands, and | | | | owned by its present owner. If they've only been in |
| delivery availability, here are five tips to consider | | | | business a few months, and the item you want to |
| before providing your address and credit card number: | | | | purchase costs hundreds of dollars, it's best to do a |
| 1. Report Internet Scams Sites. If you or someone you | | | | little more research before providing your personal |
| know have been ripped off by an online store, report | | | | information. |
| the site, its URL and any other pertinent information to | | | | 5. Does their check-out process have a security |
| online site reporting sites such as 2. Determine if the | | | | certificate or does the web address start with https? |
| vendor has been in business for longer than five years. | | | | These are also indicators of whether a store can be |
| That's not to say that start-up companies cannot be | | | | trusted to deliver what you've ordered after you've |
| trusted, but when you're giving out your personal and | | | | paid your money. |
| private financial information, you should be relatively | | | | Finally, be aware of your rights, their return policy, and |
| sure of who the company is and if they operate with | | | | their shipping charges before making any online |
| integrity and in an ethical manner. If you've fallen in love | | | | purchases. That sweet gift you're thinking of buying |
| with a gift at a particular site, but you've never heard | | | | might not seem so attractive if you pay but don't |
| of the company, then the word, "Next" should be | | | | receive the item. |
| screaming in your ear to encourage you to shop | | | | |