Online Security
When shopping online, get to know the merchant before making a purchase. Purchase from only those companies that you feel comfortable with or those that take extra steps to communicate their honest intentions to you through well-displayed policies and seals from consumer organizations. The Federal Trade Commission maintains a web site, www.consumer.gov that includes buyer’s guides, tips, and links to helpful resources.
What you should know to stay secure online:
- Use a credit card, not a debit card. It’s a good practice to pay with credit cards, because under federal law (and your credit card agreement) your liability for an unauthorized charge is limited to $50
- When using a credit card online, do not give your credit card number unless you are entering it into a web page that will encrypt the number
- If you're not familiar with a site, make sure that the site has a privacy policy and information about the site's security measures
What you should know about online scams:
