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SECURITY
ON THE INTERNET
Shopping online offers lots of benefits that you won't find
shopping in a store or by mail. The Internet is always open
- seven days a week, 24 hours a day - and bargains can be numerous
online. Shopping on the Internet is no less safe than shopping
in a store or by mail. Keep the following tips in mind to help
ensure that your online shopping experience is a safe one.
Use a secure browser. This is the software you use to
navigate the internet. Your browser should comply with industry
standards, such as Secure Sockets Layer (SSL). These standards
encrypt or scramble the purchase information you send over the
Internet, ensuring the security of your transaction. Most computers
come with a browser already installed. You also can download
some browsers for free over the Internet.
Shop with companies you know. Anyone can set up shop
online under almost any name. If you're not familiar with a
merchant, ask for a paper catalog or brochure to get a better
idea of their merchandise and services. Also, determine the
company's refund and return policies before you place your order.
These should be posted on the company's Web site.
Keep your password(s) private. Be creative when you establish
a password, and never give it to anyone. Avoid using a telephone
number, birth date or a portion of your Social Security number.
Instead, use a combination of numbers, letters and symbols.
Pay by credit or charge card. If you pay by credit or
charge card online, your transaction will be protected under
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. These laws can protect you in case you need to take debt recovery action.
Keep a record. Be sure to print a copy of your purchase
order and confirmation number for your records. Also, you should
know that the Mail/Telephone Order Merchandise must be delivered
within 30 days; and if there are delays, the company must notify
you.
Pay your bills online. Some companies let you pay your
bills and check your account status online. Before you sign
up for any service, evaluate how the company secures your financial
and personal information. May companies explain their security
procedures on their web site. If you don't see a security description,
call or email the company and ask.
PRIVACY ON THE INTERNET
Technology now provides companies with the ability to collect
information about you and potentially give or sell that information
to others. While the internet can serve as a tremendous resource
for information, products and services, you should be sure to
safeguard your privacy online by following these debt recovery tips.
Keep your personal information private. Don't disclose
personal information - such as your address, telephone number,
Social Security number or email address - unless you know who
is collecting the information, why they are collecting it and
how they will use it. If you have children, teach them to check
with you before giving out personal - or family - information
online.
Look for a company's online privacy policy. Many companies
post their privacy policies on their Web site. This policy should
disclose what information is being collected on the web site
and how that information is being used. Before you provide a
company with personal information, check its privacy policy.
If you can't find a policy, send an email or written message
to the web site to ask about its policy and request that it
be posted on the site.
Make choices. Many companies give you a choice on their Web site
as to whether and how your personal information will be used.
These companies allow you to decline - or "opt -out of - having
personal information, such as your email address, used for marketing
purposes or shared with other companies. Look for this choice
as part of the company's privacy policy.
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