| It's that time of year again, and even though Halloween | | | | Billing Act, which allows you to dispute charges under |
| has barely shuffled its costumed, candy-eating visage | | | | certain circumstances and temporarily withhold |
| out the proverbial door, plenty of people are already | | | | payment while the creditor is investigating. In the event |
| proceeding full-speed ahead with holiday shopping. As | | | | your credit or charge card is used without your |
| anyone who has ever braved the mall crowds | | | | knowledge and permission, you generally are liable for |
| between November and January knows, it is much | | | | no more than $50 in charges per card. Many |
| more comfortable and convenient to shop from the | | | | companies do not hold consumers responsible for any |
| comfort of your own home, via the wonderful internet. | | | | unauthorized charges made online, and some card |
| But is it safer? | | | | issuers may provide additional warranty, return, and/or |
| Online shopping has increased in leaps and bounds in | | | | purchase protection benefits." Debit card transactions |
| recent years, and the National Retail Foundation | | | | may not fall under protection by this law, so check with |
| expects almost half of this year's holiday purchases to | | | | your bank to determine their policies on debit fraud. |
| be made via the internet. But careless consumers may | | | | * Study the sites transaction policies, including refund |
| get more than they bargain for if they log on without | | | | information, delivery and shipping options, restocking |
| taking a few precautions. Phishing scams are | | | | fees, and return policies. Make sure the company's |
| especially prevalent around the holidays, as cyber | | | | policies match your needs before placing an order. |
| criminals strive to take advantage of consumers | | | | Also, study a company's privacy policy to find out how |
| looking for sale prices and savings opportunities, and | | | | the company intends to use your information and |
| the sheer number of vendor options online increase | | | | whether or not it plans to distribute the information to |
| the chances of buying from a fake or unscrupulous | | | | other companies or individuals. |
| retailer, and either losing money or getting poor-quality | | | | * Print copies of your transaction receipts, email |
| merchandise. | | | | correspondence, and the product description and price, |
| OnguardOnline, an internet safety awareness | | | | and save them. |
| campaign run by The Federal Trade Commission | | | | * Check your credit card statements for a few |
| (FTC) and the technology industry, has compiled a set | | | | months after the holidays for any unauthorized |
| of online shopping guidelines to protect consumers and | | | | charges. |
| minimize the risks associated with internet retail: | | | | * Do not submit financial information to an unsecured |
| * Be familiar with the retailer and make sure the site is | | | | website. The "lock" icon in the URL window is a good |
| legitimate. Don't enter financial or personal information | | | | indicator that the site is secure, but you should be |
| into any popup windows that happen to appear while | | | | aware that it is possible to fake a security indicator |
| browsing - legitimate companies don't ask for this | | | | and the site may not be secure after all. |
| information via email or pop-ups. | | | | * Install and run updated antivirus software and a |
| * Read all the fine print in a product description to | | | | secure firewall to protect your computer from viruses, |
| make sure you're getting what you want and that the | | | | spam, and hackers. |
| item is in the condition you're looking for. | | | | Most corporate stores have an option to shop online. |
| * Compare prices on different sites and remember to | | | | For instance, Barnes & Noble, Macy's, Toys R Us, |
| factor in shipping costs when budgeting your spending | | | | Best Buy, and even Target all allow consumers to |
| money. | | | | shop and buy online. Likewise, all-purpose sites such as |
| * Pay by credit or charge card. Do not send cash or a | | | | are generally safe and secure, and have their holiday |
| check with your bank account number. OnguardOnline | | | | shipping process down to a science, leaving you little to |
| states that "if you pay by credit or charge card online, | | | | worry about. Some places even gift-wrap your |
| your transaction will be protected by the Fair Credit | | | | purchases. |