Hi jonjin,
The short answer to your question is to look at two things:
1. When you start the check-out procedure, does your browser "lock"
the padlock icon?
2. Look up in the address field. What use to read http://www...,
should now read https://www... . The addition of the "s" indicates you
have a secure line.
How do you tell if the Internet connections are secure?:
http://www.safeshopping.org/security/index.html
If you can confirm those two details, then your have a safe
connection. However, it doesn't stop there. Make sure you do your
homework in regards to the website - check out the seller's privacy
policy to confirm that they will not sell or trade any of your
personal information.
Privacy:
http://www.safeshopping.org/privacy/index.html
Following are some tips on how to shop safely online.
1. Do they identify themselves? Can you contact them?
Name / address / phone number / email address
2. What are their policies?
Guarantee / Returns / Privacy (will they sell your email address?)
3. What are their business credentials?
Do they have their own business credit card accounts
(versus something like PayPal which anyone can have)?
Do they have a business tax number?
Is their business registered with any associations?
Do they own their own domain? You can check this at Whois:
http://www.whois.sc/
Are they a member of a seal-of-approval program (not a "must" but
just another indication that they are serious about what they
are doing)? Here are two:
http://www.truste.org/ or http://www.bbbonline.org/
Are larger companies safer than smaller sellers? Not necessarily. Just
like bricks and mortar shops, the small guys often offer excellent
customer service that you'll just never get from the Amazons, and
there is something else to consider - usually the larger companies
will keep your credit card info indefinitely but at the smaller sites
it is often deleted automatically after a certain length of time.
4. Send them an email with a question.
How quickly do they respond?
Is it just a "canned" response or is there a real person
at the other end?
Be sure to print out your invoice and keep it in a safe place until
you receive your package and all is well.
Following is an excellent website which should help you to make
informed choices. However, I do take exception with #10 - don't be
afraid to shop globally - use the same common sense you would use to
shop at home and a whole world will open up to you.
E-Commerce and You: Online Shopping Tips:
1. Shop at Secure Web Sites
2. Research the Web Site before You Order
3. Read the Web Site?s Privacy and Security Policies
4. What?s Safest: Credit Cards, Debit Cards, Cash, or Checks?
"The safest way to shop on the Internet is with a credit card. In the
event something goes wrong, you are protected under the federal Fair
Credit Billing Act."
5. Never Give Out Your Social Security Number
6. Disclose Only the Bare Facts When You Order
7. Keep Your Password Private
8. Check the Web Site Address
9. Always Print Copies of Your Orders
10. Shop with Companies Located in the Unites States
11. Pay Attention to Shipping Facts
12. Learn the Merchant?s Cancellation, Return and Complaint-Handling Policies
13. Use Shopper?s Intuition
14. Be Wary of Identity Theft
15. Be Cautious with ?Electronic Signatures?
http://www.privacyrights.org/fs/fs23-shopping.htm
Another excellent website, created by the American Bar Association, is
at SafeShopping.org - you'll find links in the lefthand column to:
Security
Privacy
Payment
Seller
Product
Terms
Delivery
Records
Complaints
Tips
http://www.safeshopping.org/home.html
Additional Links of Interest:
Better Business Bureau:
Play it Safe on the Internet:
Check the site's privacy policy.
Keep your personal information private.
Make certain the web sites you frequent are owned by reliable businesses.
Keep records of your online transactions and read your email.
Review your credit card and bank account statements promptly.
http://www.bbb.org/alerts/article.asp?ID=471
Better Business Bureau:
Cybershopping - What You Need to Know.
If you decide to pay by credit card or charge card, your transaction
will be protected by the Fair Credit Billing Act.
http://www.bbb.org/alerts/article.asp?ID=183
Buying Online:
http://thetechnozone.com/pcbuyersguide/solutions/buying/BuyingOnline.html
Beginner's Guide to Buying Online
http://www.help2go.com/article16.html
E-Commerce: A Consumer?s Guide to Buying and Paying Bills Online
http://www.newyork.bbb.org/library/publications/64ecomm.html
How to feel safe buying online
http://wywy.essortment.com/buyingonline_rdch.htm
I hope I've been able to answer your question and have taken some of
the worry out of online shopping. If I can be of further assistance,
please post a clarification request before closing/rating my answer, I
will be happy to respond.
Thank you,
hummer
Google Search Terms Used:
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buying tips "e-commerce"
I do have experience with e-commerce and was able to draw from my own knowledge. |
