Holiday Shopping on the Internet

By Elizabeth Alldridge

The holidays are upon us! To avoid stress, last year, I did almost all my Christmas shopping online, and I did it early. I plan to do even more this year. 

Shopping on the Internet can be fun and convenient. You might find the perfect stocking stuffer, a unique piece of jewelry, or a great kitchen gadget using the Web. The Internet brings the world to your door. This article offers a few tips to help you become a smart, safe Internet shopper.

Where to Begin

If you have never shopped online, stick with sellers you know. Some of the trustworthy sites I use frequently are www.amazon.com, www.jcpenney.com, and www.sears.com. If you have a sports fan to buy for, rely on reputable sources such as the NFL, NHL, and MLB. Try www.nhl.com for hockey fans or www.nfl.com for football fans. One of the best things about shopping online is that you can get one-of-a-kind gifts. For instance, my son is a big New Jersey Devils hockey fan, and I was able to order a customized hockey jersey for him online. He was thrilled with the gift. My sister loves kitchen gadgets so I like to go to www.americastestkitchen.com.  Whatever gift you are looking for, chances are you will be able to find a unique and memorable gift on the Internet.

Read the Return Policy

One concern many new Internet shoppers harbor is customer service and returns. What if you don’t like what you bought? Or what if it is the wrong size or item? To protect yourself look for a street address and phone number. Be wary if the seller's only contact information is a post office box. If you buy from an established seller like Sears, you may be able to return Internet purchases in the store. Most stores will also allow you to mail the items back for a refund or exchange. 

Beware of “Phishing”

If you receive an unsolicited e-mail from a seller, avoid them. The unknown seller may be “phishing,” or trying to obtain your personal information in a deceitful manner. Checking a company’s reputation is easy by visiting the Better Business Bureau website at www.bbbonline.org. 

Paying for Your Purchases

Paying for your online purchase is safe and easy with a credit card. Pay close attention to your business transactions by comparing your purchase records with your credit card statements. If you find an unauthorized charge, alert your credit card company immediately; fortunately, Federal law limits your liability to $50. In addition, if you are extremely dissatisfied with your seller or purchases, some credit card charges can be disputed. (There are some limitations. Check with your credit card issuer for more information.)

How do you know when it is safe to give out your credit card information? Be sure your seller has a “secure” website, or one that will protect your personal information. Before giving out credit card or personal information online, look at the bottom of your Internet browser. You should see a small key or padlock. If the key is broken or the padlock is unlocked or not present, the web page you are viewing is not secure. {Rob, this would be good place for pictures of those. Can you do that?} 

Many online sellers request or use PayPal. PayPal is a program that protects the buyer and the seller from fraud. You can register for a PayPal account by going to www.paypal.com. If you do not use PayPal or a credit card, don’t send payment information in an e-mail. E-mail doesn’t have any security and will not protect your information. Use reliable payment methods to protect yourself.

Keep a Record

Keep documentation of your online account.  After you make your purchases, most sellers will provide a receipt that includes a confirmation number, along with details about the sale. Print out a copy of the receipt, along with a copy of the sellers’ contact information, item description, receipt and order number. Also, keep a record of your usernames and passwords. Be sure to store this information in a secure place.

Passwords

Some companies ask you to set up a user name and password before you order from them. Be sure to choose a secure password that is hard to guess—not obvious choices such as your birthday, address, or spouses’ name. However, an  “inside out” address works well. My friend uses something like 35Willow95 (assuming she lived at 3595 Willow Lane) for her password every time she needs one. It would be hard, if not impossible, for a hacker to guess, but is easy for her to remember, and she only has to remember that one! I like using a line from a favorite song, nursery rhyme, or favorite book title, using the first letter of each word. For example, if one of my favorite songs is “Tell Me When the Whistle Blows” my password would be tmwtwb. For greater security, add a number that has some special meaning to you. Mine is 75 which would make my password—tmwtwb75. Using a combination of letters and numbers makes them more secure.

So Many Benefits!

Get your Christmas shopping done early, from the convenience of your home. No crowds, no traffic jams, and no tired feet! Save gas, energy, and time by shopping on the Internet. Shopping on the Internet can help you have a more relaxing holiday season. 

For more information about shopping on the Internet visit http://www.onguardonline.gov/shopping.html.