online shopping tips

Take the following steps to protect yourself from all types of Internet fraud and
to bank and shop online with confidence:
1. Don’t hand over valuable card or bank account information to the
fraudster. Fraudsters target card and card details so try not to let them
out of your sight. Don’t give away your PINs or bank passwords to cold
callers or in response to unsolicited emails – often known as phishing
scams

2. Only ever use a protected computer. Make sure your computer has
up-to-date anti-virus software and a firewall installed. Visit
www.getsafeonline.org for more information.

3. Keep your cards and card details safe in the real world. Most
Internet fraud happens because card details are stolen in the real world
and used online so keep them safe at all times.

4. Sign up, whenever you are given the option whilst shopping
online, to Verified by Visa (www.visaeurope.com/verified) or
MasterCard SecureCode (www.mastercard.com/securecd).
Increasingly when you go to pay online with your card you will be given
the option of signing up to these schemes that involve you using a
password. By signing up you will prevent a fraudster using your card
details on participating sites as they will not know your password.

5. Only shop at secure websites. Ensure that the security icon – the
locked padlock or unbroken key symbol – is showing in the bottom of
your browser window before sending your card details. The beginning
of the retailer’s Internet address will change from ‘http’ to ‘https’ when a
purchase is made using a secure connection.

6. Make sure your computer’s browser is set to the highest level of
security notification and monitoring. The safety options are not
always activated by default when you install your computer. The most
popular browsers include Microsoft, Internet Explorer, Firefox and
Opera. Check that you’re using a recent version – you can usually
download the latest version from these browsers’ websites.
www.banksafeonline.org.uk

7. Always check your statements carefully as soon as you receive
them. If you find a transaction on your statement that you did not
make, contact your bank or card company immediately. Tear up, or
preferably shred, any documents that contain information relating to
your financial affairs.

8. Consider using an Internet-only card. If you regularly make
transactions over the Internet consider opening a separate credit card
account specifically for these transactions. This would enable you to
monitor transactions at a glance and credit cards offer additional
consumer protection should anything go wrong.

9. Print out your order. When shopping online make sure you get a hard
copy of both your order form and the retailer’s terms and conditions.
When buying from overseas remember that it may be difficult to seek
redress if problems arise, but having all the relevant information will
help your bank or building society take up the case if you have any
problems.

10. Visit the websites www.getsafeonline.org www.cardwatch.org.uk and
www.banksafeonline.org.uk for more information about how to shop
and bank safely online.