Here are several things to keep in mind when shopping
online for this upcoming Valentines Day:
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.
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.
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.
Reprint of this article does not constitute an
endorsement by the National Business Association; the article is
for informational purposes for our members and viewers of our Web
site.
