Spicy Mother - News and Entertainment

I have been shopping online for years and been caught in a few scams. Especially when I shopped at forums or blogshops.

But I still do it as shopping online is rather addictive and offers lots of benefits that you won't find shopping in a retail store.

The Internet is always open, 24/7, and numerous bargains abound. With a few mouse clicks, you can purchase clothes, book a ticket or hotel, send flowers, etc. But what you see may not be what you get, unlike in a shopping mall.

If you're buying items from an online retailer or auction website, here are some advice to prevent any angst from the shopping experience:

1. Know who you're dealing with.

Anyone can set up an online store under a fake name. Confirm the online seller's physical address and phone number. The site should not ask for your financial information, so never reply to the message.

2. Know what you're buying.

Read the seller's description of the product closely, especially the fine print. Words like "refurbished," "vintage," or "close-out" may indicate that the product is in less-than-mint condition, while branded goods with cheap prices could be replicas or counterfeits.

3. Know what it will cost.

Comparison shop at other websites first and always compare "apples to apples." Factor shipping and handling charges into the total cost. Do not send cash under any circumstances.

4. Pay by credit or charge card.

If you pay by credit card online, your transaction will be protected by the Fair Credit Billing Act. Under this law, you have the right to dispute charges under certain circumstances and temporarily withhold payment while the creditor is investigating them.

In the event of unauthorized use of your credit or charge card, you generally would be held liable only for the first $50 in charges.

Some companies offer an online shopping guarantee that ensures you will not be held responsible for any unauthorized charges made online, and some cards may provide additional warranty, return, and/or purchase protection benefits.

5. Check out the terms of the deal, like refund policies and delivery dates.

Can you return the item for a full refund if you're not satisfied? If you return it, find out who pays the shipping costs or restocking fees, and when you will receive your order. If the shipper does not ship items within 30 days of order date, you may seek redress.

6. Keep a paper trail.

Print and save records of your online transactions, including the product description and price, the online receipt, and copies of every email you send or receive from the seller. Read your credit card statements as you receive them and be on the lookout for unauthorized charges.

7. Don't email your financial information.

Email is not a secure method of transmitting financial information like your credit card, checking account, etc.

If you initiate a transaction and want to provide your financial information through an organization's website, look for indicators that the site is secure, like a lock icon on the browser's status bar or a URL for a website that begins "https:" (the "s" stands for "secure").

Unfortunately, no indicator is foolproof; some fraudulent sites have forged security icons.

8. Check the privacy policy.

It should let you know what personal information the website operators are collecting, why, and how they're going to use the information. If you can't find a privacy policy — or if you can't understand it, don't transact with the site.