If you’re like most people who use the internet, you will probably purchase something online within the next month or two. And why not? you have so many choices, with a world of products at your fingertips, and you don’t have to waste gas or deal with parking hassles, mall crowds and long lines.
Unfortunately, there are some drawbacks to shopping online. A big one is fraud. In April 2008 the internet Crime Complaint Center reported that online payment fraud complaints filed by consumers in 2007 reached $239 million compared to $198 million in 2006.
Many consumers are rightfully concerned about providing their financial information, such as credit card numbers, online. How do you know which web sites are safe to transact with and which ones are not? How can you avoid problems when you purchase online?
If you want to be a savvy online shopper, enjoy finding great deals and avoid becoming a victim of cybercrime, you just need to follow a few basic DO’s and DON’Ts when buying from web sites.
Do your homework
Before you type in your credit card information, you should take time to research the web site. Start with making sure the web site has a trustmark like McAfee SECURE trustmarks, which means that the web site is secure for shopping. Also, consider contacting the seller if this is your first purchase. Most reputable e-sellers will have a toll-free customer service phone number. If the sites has only an email address and no phone number, start an email or instant message dialogue with the people running the site before you buy anything from them.
Don’t Buy from spammers
If you get an email inviting you to buy something like “Discounted Rolex Wathces” you should think two things: spam and possible scam. Most spammers are just looking to make a quick buck. Some will steal your credit card or financial information and use it fraudulently. If you do purchase from spammers, there’s a good chance you’ll never get what you ordered. It is a risky deal. Also it just motivates them to continue to spam you, along with everyone else.
Do pay by credit card or an online payment service
You are protected by the law and liable only for $50 if your credit card number is stolen and misused.
Online payment services offer some protection as well. However, you may want to use your credit card as the payment source to get an extra degree of protection for any disputes. Be sure you read and understand the consumer-protection programs and money-back guarantee sections in the terms and conditions on the e-tailer’s web site. If it seems like it will be difficult to get your money back, consider buying somewhere else.
Don’t pay by debit card, cash, or wire transfer
When you pay with credit cards, you can easily dispute fraudulent charges and by law, your liability is limited. when you pay with debit cards, the money comes directly out of your account. Getting the cash back can be difficult, if not impossible. When you pay by cash or use a wire transfer, the money goes directly into the seller’s account, adn there is no recourse if something goes wrong.
Do buy from a web site that has encryption
Encryiption is key to secure internet purchases. It is feature that automatically codes your personal data when it’s entered. E-stores know how important this is to their business. The safest web sites have a key or closed lock displayed in the web browser, meaning encryption is used.
Another way to know if a site is safe and secure is by checking the web address (URL). It should begin with “https://” – not just “http://”
Don’t buy from a web site unless it is certified for safety
Certified web sites secured against hackers are also a key to online shopping safety. You need to feel confident that when you make an online purchase, your personal and financial information will not be compromised.
When you buy from an online store that has the mcAfee SECURE trustmark, you can be confident about the purchase. Only sites that pass daily identity theft and credit fraud security tests can dsiplay the McAfee SECURE trustmark.
However, understand that security icons and trustmarks can be forged, Be diligent about checking out a site before you buy. Also, trustmarks represent different kinds of assurance; some are more comprehensive than others. Be sure to get all the details on what the trustmarks represent before you do business with a web site.
Do check the web site’s policies before you order
Read the web site’s return policy and other terms and conditions, as well as the site’s privacy policy, before you order anything. A good online seller will permit you to return items and get a full and immediate refund without having to jump through a lot of hoops. Also, they will not share your personal information with others.
Don’t buy from a web site with which you aren’t totally comfortable
Use your intuition. If you sense something is just not right about the web site from which you are ordering, then abort the process immediately. Often your gut instinct is right. And remember what your grandfather said: “if it looks too good to be true, it probably is”
Do use comprehensive computer security software
Make sure you have up-to-date, comprehensive security software, such as McAfee Internet Security or McAfee Total Protection before you do any online shopping. This will greatly reduce the risk of contracting a virus or some other form of malware and help you avoid identity theft on dangerous web sites.
Don’t forget to inspect your new purchase as soon as it arrives
If you find a problem, notify the seller as soon as possible.
Do check your credit card statements
Make sure you were charged the proper amount and that no extras were added to your bill. Keep copies of sales transactions for future reference in case a dispute arises.
Happy Online Shopping! 
Considering the factors, I would recommend online frugal shoppers to shop through reliable cash back websites like FatWallet, AAfter Search, ShopAtHome and Ebates.
Trust marks are definitely a great way to tell if a site is worth your business. I work for VeriSign, so I’ve got something of an insider’s perspective there, but most of these seals are certainly worth their salt, especially if they come from a legitimate company. Some of these, like the VeriSign Trust Seal, also conveniently come with a seal-in-search feature, so they’ll show up on sites like The Find if you’re browsing through products and vendors there. Good advice, and it should be a note to all businesses to get protected with security seals sooner rather than later.