SHOPPING ON THE INTERNET

If you are like me, then you will have found yourself, over time, doing more and more shopping on the internet. Indeed, many people have also been doing the same.

According to the US Department of Commerce, second-quarter 2002 retail e-commerce sales were an estimated $10.243 billion, an increase of about 24% from the second quarter of 2001. That’s a lot of shopping.

I therefore would like to make some suggestions, so that you will have a better understanding of the unique aspects of shopping on-line.

First, most e-mail (including your orders) is not secure. Therefore, keep your personal information as private as possible- only give it if you know who is collecting the information, why they are collecting it, and how they will use it.

For shopping, you can first check any web site for their privacy, refund and shipping policies, and make sure there is contact information on the site, for customer services.

Also, NEVER give your password to anyone online, and do not download files sent to you by strangers, or click on hyperlinks from unknown sources, because both may transfer viruses that can destroy your computer.

Second, be aware that there may be some legal uncertainty about where any sales dispute arises, since web sites you use, come from all over the world. The law is presently unclear about where you can sue for receipt of damaged goods, so if that issue is important to you, check out the web sites’ policies on that issue before you make any purchase.

Third, one of the assumed advantages to buying on the internet, is the avoidance of sales taxes. This may now be so, but it is unlikely to remain this way, for long.

Possibly the most important issue surrounding buying on the internet, is HOW you make your purchases. While “e-money”, “e-wallets” and debit cards are growing options, I will limit this article to the most common method of payment- by credit card.

It is first, important to state that although there is always the risk of someone taking your credit card information off the internet, or from the sales web site, your risk is no different than the other ways you now use your credit card- you can have your information just as easily stolen when you pay in a restaurant or store, or order something over the phone, or fax your credit card information to a store.

In ALL these situations, you have the same protection, under the Fair Credit Billing Act (FCBA).

Under the FCBA, your maximum liability for lost or stolen credit cards and/or credit card information, is $50.00. At most. And if your card and/or information is fraudulently used, your liability is 0. Even with internet shopping.

All you have to do, to have this protection, is the following:

Check your monthly credit card statements regularly, and carefully, for any errors or unauthorized purchases.

If any such charges appear, notify your credit card company, and follow up with a letter to them (to the addresses listed on your statements under “billing inquiries”

Do the above within 60 days after the first bill containing the error.

That is all you have to do.

As one final suggestion, if you can, consider using just one credit card for internet purchases. This way, it will be easier to check, and if a problem occurs, it is limited to just one card.

Enjoy your shopping!

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