Here are several things to keep in mind when shopping online for any special occasions.

Pay with a Credit Card and Protect Your Passwords: Credit cards offer you the most protection as a consumer. Never send cash! If you pay by credit card, your transaction is protected by the Fair Credit Billing Act. This limits your liability for any unauthorized charges
to only $50.

Understand the Return Policy: Determine the company�s refund and return policies before you place any order. Generally, any item that has been engraved or personalized in any way, will not qualify for the store�s Return Policy. Some countries don’t have the same return policies as we do here in North America, so know where you shop and always read their return policy if has any.

Shop with Security: When online, look for a symbol of an unbroken key or padlock of the bottom of your Web browser window to ensure that your transmission is protected. Always enter the url manually to your browser instead of clicking links thru emails messages to ensure maximum security.

Print all Transaction Records: Make sure to print or save electronically any records related to your online transactions. This will help you keep track of shipping dates, shipping and handling fees, and other details of your transaction. Take as much info as possible including names, their title and phone numbers in case of
disputes.

File a Complaint
If you suspect the business may have broken the law, file a complaint with the Federal Trade Commission. You can call the FTC toll-free at 1-877-FTC-HELP (1-877-382-4357) or file a complaint online at www.ftc.gov. or report it to your local Better Business Bureau.

Check the Site�s Privacy Policy: The company�s privacy policy should let you know what personal information the company is collecting, why, and how the information is going to be used. Be cautious if you’re asked to supply personal information, such as your Social Security number or personal bank account information to conduct a transaction. When you shop online, you should never ever have to provide any sensitive information such as your Social Security Number, if they do, shop somewhere else.

Paul Penafiel – www.paulpenafiel.com – Learn how to get more traffic to your websites using the viral power of articles.