Winter 2005-06
The holiday season is right around the corner, and shopping on the Internet can be a convenient way to take care of your gift list. The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) - the nation's consumer protection agency - says sizing up your finds on the Internet is a little different from checking out items at the mall.
If you're buying items from an online retailer or auction website, the FTC offers this advice to help you make the most of your shopping experience:
Know who you're dealing with. Confirm the online seller's physical address and phone number in case you have questions or problems. If you get an e-mail or pop-up message while you're browsing that asks for personal or financial information, don't reply or click on the link in the message. Legitimate companies don't ask for this information via e-mail.
Know exactly what you're buying. Read the seller's description of the product closely, especially the fine print. Words like "refurbished," "vintage" or "close-out" may indicate that the product is in less-than-mint condition, while name-brand items with "too good to be true" prices could be counterfeits.
Know what it will cost. Check out websites that offer price comparisons, then compare "apples to apples." To get the best consumer protections, pay with a credit card. Factor shipping and handling - along with your needs and budget - into the total cost of the order. Do not send cash under any circumstances.
Check out the terms of the deal, such as refund policies and delivery dates. Can you return the item for a full refund if you're not satisfied? If you return it, find out who pays the shipping costs or restocking fees, and when you will receive your order. An FTC rule requires sellers to ship items as promised or within 30 days after the order date if no specific date is promised.
Keep a paper trail. Print and save records of your online transactions, including the product description and price, the online receipt and copies of every e-mail you send or receive from the seller. Read your credit card statements as you receive them and be on the lookout for unauthorized charges.
Don't e-mail your financial information. E-mail is not a secure method of transmitting financial information such as your credit card, checking account or Social Security number. If you initiate a transaction and want to provide your financial information through an organization's website, look for indicators that the site is secure, like a lock icon on the browser's status bar or a URL for a website that begins "https:" (the "s" stands for "secure"). Unfortunately, no indicator is foolproof; some fraudulent sites have forged security icons.
Check the privacy policy. It should let you know what personal information the website operators are collecting, why and how they're going to use the information. If you can't find a privacy policy, or if you can't understand it, consider taking your business to another site that's more consumer-friendly.
Before starting to shop on the Internet, consumers should know how to keep their computer and private information secure.
Use anti-virus software and a personal firewall and keep them up-to-date. Anti-virus software scans incoming communications for troublesome files. Look for anti-virus software that recognizes current viruses as well as older ones and can effectively reverse any damage and updates automatically. Make sure you update your anti-virus protection software regularly. A firewall blocks unauthorized access to your computer; if you have a broadband connection, it's especially important that you run a firewall to block communications from unauthorized sources.
Make sure your web browser and operating system are up-to-date. Your web browser security setting should be high enough to detect unauthorized downloads, for example, at least the "medium" setting for Internet Explorer. Your operating system (like Windows or Linux) may offer free software "patches" to close holes in the web browser or operating system that spyware, hackers or phishers could exploit.
Be cautious about opening any attachment. Don't open an e-mail attachment - even if it looks like it's from a friend or co-worker - unless you are expecting it or know what it contains. If you send an e-mail with an attached file, include a text message explaining what it is. Remember not to click on links in pop-up ads. They could install harmful files on your computer.
For more information about protecting your computer and your personal information online, visit www.ftc.gov/infosecurity.
# # #
Carl Surran is managing editor of Military Money. The Federal Trade Commission, the primary source of information for this article, works for the consumer to prevent fraudulent, deceptive and unfair business practices in the marketplace and to provide information to help consumers spot, stop and avoid them. To file a complaint or get free information on consumer issues, visit www.ftc.gov or call toll-free, 1-877-FTC-HELP (1-877-382-4357).