Shopping Safely From Home

It is the most convenient way to shop, but it is also fraught with danger from fraudulent offers and unsafe products. Shopping at home includes online/e-commerce offers, telemarketing, mail order and door-to-door, along with yard sales and flea markets.

It is important to know whom you are dealing with. Find out where the seller is located and check out the seller's reputation. Always protect your privacy. Only provide personal information to the seller if you know who is collecting it, why it is being collected, and how it is going to be used. Know whom you can complain to. There are government agencies, industry organizations and other groups who will help you with any problems you might encounter.

Be sure to pay in the safest way possible. Know which payment options are available to you and use the one that offers the best protection, typically a credit card. Make sure that you get a complete description of the items you are buying and all terms of the transaction. If you are purchasing a used item from a yard sale or flea market, check to make sure that it meets current safety standards. Also, do not act on an impulse or buy under pressure. Think the purchase through.

When shopping online, make sure that you use a secure browser. A secure browser will encrypt or scramble the purchase information that you send out over the Internet, ensuring the security of your transaction. The difficulty in shopping online comes from determining the credibility of the company you plan to purchase from. Anyone can set up shop online; if you are unfamiliar with the merchant, ask for a catalog and determine the company's refund and return policies before you place your order.

Avoid using a telephone number, date of birth, or digits from your Social Security number when creating a password. Use a combination of letters, numbers and symbols for the greatest security. Also, when paying by credit or charge card online, the Fair Credit Billing Act will protect your transaction. Under this law, consumers have the right to dispute charges under certain circumstances and temporarily withhold payment while the creditor is investigating them.

Always print a copy of your purchase order and confirmation number for your records. The federal Mail or Telephone Order Merchandise Rule covers orders made over the Internet, meaning that unless stated otherwise, merchandise must be delivered within 30 days. If there are any delays, the company must notify you.