Shop On Secure Websites

Make sure you are on a secure website before you type in your credit card number. You can tell if it is safe by looking at the web address. You will see “http” just before the “www.” Before you give your account information, make sure you see an "s" either before or after the “http.” It should look like “https://www” or “shttp://www.” Think of the "s" as being safe and secure!

Visit The Better Business Bureau Website

Know who you’re dealing with. If you're thinking about buying something from a site you've never visited, check the Better Business Bureau website to make sure the site is in good standing.

Read Return Policies

Look closely at the return policies, restocking fees and shipping costs to make sure your online purchase is worth the risk if you need to send it back. If you're shopping at the website of a local store, check to see if you can return it to the store if needed to avoid any cost or hassle.

Print A Record Of Your Transaction

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Like store receipts, print a record of your online transaction and all communications regarding your purchase. Doing so can save you potential problems down the road.

Understand Shipping Delivery Agreements

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Understand shipping delivery times and agreements. Make sure you are confident that your purchases will arrive on time.

Read The Privacy Policy

Read the privacy policy. Make sure the website is not disclosing your information to questionable third parties.

Enable Your Firewall

Enable your firewall and anti-virus software so that hackers cannot easily access your private information.

Use A Secure Internet Connection

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Only make purchases via a secure internet connection. Unsecured wireless internet is particularly vulnerable to hacker attacks.

Be Aware Of Fake Websites

Make sure you are at the correct website. There are fake websites designed to look exactly like large online researchers. Look at the URL at the top of your web browser to make sure the website address is spelled correctly.

Check Your Credit Card Statements

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Check your credit card statements to make sure that no extraneous charges were billed to your account. Report any fraudulent charges to your credit card company immediately.

File A Complaint With the Attorney General

If you encounter any problems, file an online complaint with the Attorney General's Bureau of Consumer Protection and call their toll-free hotline at 1-800-441-2555.