At Christmas, many of us will use the internet and credit cards to shop for the perfect gift.
And who can blame us? Instead of walking down the cold high street, it's easy and warm to shop online.
But think about how safe it is before you put your card information into your computer. Even if a website looks great, it doesn't always mean a lot. Because anyone can make a website, you should be careful when shopping online, especially if it's your first time.
Padlocks mark safe places.
Online bad guys target new users, so think before you buy. Try to do business with companies you've heard of or that a friend can recommend. Amazon and other big online stores like that are a safe bet. Check out websites that have safe ways to pay.
When you're filling out your personal information, you should be able to see a padlock key at the bottom of the screen on a safe website. When you see a padlock, you know the page is safe and you can give them your information. If this isn't there, you might want to stay away from that site.
Privacy pages say everything.
Check to see if the company has a page about privacy. This tells you what it will do with the information you give. Don't be left wondering. Think carefully about what you say and ask yourself if it's really necessary.
Also, the site should tell you what it will do with the information. Check the fine print and write down all the information you get. You should also always get a confirmation of your order. This is proof that you bought something, so keep it safe.
Protection for Sales at a Distance
As online shopping grows and gets more complex, you need to be able to keep track of what you buy. When you buy something through the internet, phone, mail, or TV, this is the same as buying it in person. There is a law that protects it, and all businesses should follow it. This law makes sure you have a chance to change your mind, get a confirmation of your order, and get clear information about what you're buying. Check to see if the company is a member of TrustUK. This means that it has agreed to follow a set of rules.
Protection for credit cards
The safest way to buy something online is with a credit card. If the goods did not arrive or were broken, you have a claim against the seller. You also have a claim against your credit card company. This is because your card company probably offers online protection, which gives you a better chance of getting your money back. Switch and Delta cards usually don't offer this level of security.
If you spend more than GBP100 but less than GBP30,000 with your credit card, you'll be covered. So, if you get caught in an online scam, your card issuer should help you get out of it, but you have to tell them right away.
If everything goes wrong,
If you fall for a scam and your shopping never comes, call the company that gave you your card. You should have no trouble getting your money back if you can show that you bought something online in the right way. But if you don't follow simple rules, like sending your credit card information to someone you don't trust via email, it might be harder to get a refund.
It's a good idea to keep your wits about you when you're surfing the web. Ignore sites that say they are "over the top" or "too good to be true," because they usually are.
What Now?
Use our best buy tables to find the best credit card for your needs. Now, compare all credit card companies:
http://www.moneyexpert.com/Compare-Credit-Cards.aspx
