Online shopping tips :

• Trust your intuitions. If you don’t think you should buy a particular product online, don’t.

• Check if the website is secure. See the address bar where the website’s name is displayed. Look for “https://”. The “s” means the site is secure. This is a must for every online shopper since you’re going to transfer your personal information to the seller. Use only one credit card and that too, of a low credit limit.

• Make sure to use only credit card and not a debit, check or an ATM card so that you can be protected by the federal Fair Credit Billing Act. A benefit that debit or ATM cards don’t offer because they are not as protected by the federal Fair Credit Billing Act the way credit cards are. Try to get a virtual credit card which you can use for shopping from a virtual store. You will never have to disclose your real credit card number to the seller if you use a virtual credit card.

• Make sure to read the product reviews before you actually place the order. Learn what opinions other customers have submitted about it. Find out if they are satisfied with it. And finally, is it really worth the price the site has quoted for it?

• Never provide your Social Security Number. You might lose your identity plus some thief could use your personal information and you could be in serious trouble.

• Always read the privacy policy before ordering. Every reputable online shopping site has the section Privacy Policy where you will find all the information on how they will process your order or if the seller is trying to expose your personal information to other third party websites.

• Shop only from the websites that you know or you have previously dealt with. If a certain company or website seems alien to you, do an extensive research on that. Try to gather as much in formation as possible about the site or company. Reputable companies should post their physical business address and at least one contact number on their site. Call that number and try to find out if it is a genuine company or a fake one.

• Take advantage of special offers, clearance sales and discount periods.

• Before putting your payment information, make sure that you are using a secure internet connection. There are many software programs available to ensure that your internet connection is secure.

• Be sure to check the return, refund, shipping policies and other legal terms very carefully. If you can’t find them, contact the dealer by e-mail or telephone and tell him to send them to you in writing.

• Keep a record. Take print-outs of terms, conditions, warranties, item description, company information and even confirming e-mails.

• Check out the delivery procedure/options. Ask the shipper if he can deliver the package to your workplace in case there is nobody at your home to receive it.

• Check the product. See if you have received the exact thing that you had ordered. Contact the seller immediately if find anything wrong in it and keep a copy of the communication.