Tips For Protecting Yourself 
While Shopping On The Internet 

Every year thousands of new shoppers enjoy the ease and convenience of shopping online, but many consumers are still concerned about safety and security. The good news is that today's online retailers have programs in place to ensure that every aspect of shopping online is secure, from inputting and storing credit card information to making certain that merchants honor their sales promises.

One of the easiest ways to start an online shopping trip with confidence is to visit a trusted site that brings your favorite brand-name merchants and products all together in one place. Web sites that focus on consumer safety and offer clearly posted policies and readily accessible customer service centers are also a good starting place. Once the shopping location is determined, there are a number of additional steps consumers can take to shop wisely online. A few tips to keep in mind:

• Protect your privacy. Consumers should always be careful of what information the merchant is collecting about them, how it will be used and if they plan to share or sell it to other parties. Uncovering privacy information is very simple as most merchants include policy details on their sites. If a privacy policy is not posted on the site, consumers should get in touch directly with the merchant or choose another online store. Online shoppers can also look for privacy enforcement organizations' seal of approval, such as TRUSTe or BBBOnLine, which is posted on participating merchants' sites.

• Shop on sites with consumer protection programs. Under federal law, a consumer's liability for an unauthorized online charge is limited to $50. However, some online shopping sites have gone a step further to give consumers increased confidence when making online purchases. A merchant rating system lets consumers find and select products from top-rated retailers based on customer evaluations.

• Get the facts. Consumers should not let the ease of online shopping distract them from collecting vital details regarding a purchase. Purchase information such as delivery date, shipping and handling fees, warranties and return policies is very important should customers run into a problem. It is also helpful to record merchant information such as email addresses or phone numbers.

• Save your receipts. Lastly, it is critical to print or save electronically any records related to an online purchase. This information is vital to keeping track of shipping dates, shipping and handling fees and other important information.

Shopping online is a great way to add fun back into the shopping experience by taking away the crowds and letting shoppers choose from millions of items at one time. By following a few easy steps, issues of safety and security will not get in the way.