Top tips for shopping online

Many tips on buying on the Internet are the same as for buying from a shop, such as:

• Shop around! That great deal might well be on offer somewhere else - and cheaper.
• Use retailers and services you know about - or ones that have been personally recommended to you.

But there are also extra things to remember when shopping online:

• A company might have a great website, but that doesn't mean it's law-abiding.
• Make sure you know the trader's full address - especially if the company is based outside the UK.
• Don't assume an Internet company is based in the UK just because its web address has 'uk' in it - check out the physical address and phone number.
• Look for websites that have a secure way of paying (known as an encryption facility) - these show a padlock at the bottom of the screen when you are filling in the payment details.
• Check whether the company has a privacy statement that tells you what it will do with your personal information.
• Look for firms that are part of an independent approval scheme such as TrustUK. These are companies that have signed up to particular standards such as protecting your privacy and ensuring that your payments are secure.

Paying for goods online

Once you have decided to buy something over the Internet, be sure you know what is being sold, the total price, the delivery date, the return and cancellation policy, and the terms of any guarantee.

Other points to remember are:

• Take care with the information you give out.
• Check the privacy statements.
• It may be worth paying by credit card. If the goods or services you are buying cost over £100 and you pay by credit card, you may be protected by the Consumer Credit Act. This states that the credit card company is equally liable for any defects. Therefore, should a problem arise, you can claim EITHER from the trader OR from the credit card company. Note: for this protection to apply, the contract price must be over £100.
• Check the security of payment details. Make sure that the web address of the page starts https:// before you enter any personal information or payment details. The 's' stands for 'secure'. There should also be a small padlock that appears in the bottom of your screen.
• Always print out a copy of your order and a copy of the acknowledgement that you should receive.
• Always check your bank statements carefully if you purchase something on the Internet.
• You should never be asked to tell anyone your card's PIN number - even if they claim to be from your bank or the police.
• Never send your PIN number to anyone over the Internet.