Holiday Tips for Online Shopping

With consumers poised to spend more than $24.6 billion online for holiday gifts this season, the Electronic Retailing Association has some tips for being a smart and safe shopper. First off, make sure the website you're using is secure, says association president Barbara Tulipane. ``In the browser section, when they're ready to give their financial information, they want to look up at the address and it should say `https,'" Tulipane said. ``Everybody's familiar with 'http,' but you actually need an `s' on the end of that." Tulipane says people may feel more secure shopping on well-known websites, but most little-known retail sites are safe, too. Make sure they have a physical address and a listed, working phone number. ``Look and see where they are located. Make sure they have that information. Make sure they have a phone number where you can contact them. Look at their policy statement." If you haven't shopped online before, don't be overly concerned. ``There seems to be this perception that online retailers are, you know, that the consumers are at risk. It's really not so. There's actually less fraud there," Tulipane said. Make sure the website you're using accepts more than one type of credit card and gives an alternative to credit card payment, the association advises. Also, provide your credit card number each time you make a purchase; do not authorize merchants to keep your card number on file for future orders. Be extremely careful in responding to e-mails from anyone who asks for your password or passwords, Social Security number, birth date, credit card number or other personal information. Consumers who have complaints or questions about a particular company or product may visit www.savvyshopper.org for more information or contact the Electronic Retailing Association at www.retailing.org. November 7th, 2007 @ 9:47am by Dan Guerin/KTAR