Monday, 26 November 2007 00:39

FBI Tips for Online Shopping

Today, the Monday after Thanksgiving, is now one of the busiest days—if not THE busiest day—of the year for online shopping. That's why some retailers call it "Cyber Monday"  -- and that’s why the FBI would like to help start your online shopping off right with some words to the wise. Make sure you're buying items from a reputable and legitimate company. Make sure a company’s website site lists a physical address and a working phone number. Check consumer websites for information about the company. When using your credit card for purchases, make sure the website is secure. Look for the tiny padlock icon that symbolizes (but doesn’t necessarily guarantee) a higher level of security. Be very cautious when responding to special offers (especially those that come via unsolicited e-mail) and when dealing with companies or persons outside the country. Don’t give out your social security number or driver’s license number to the seller. And we can’t repeat this enough: don’t open unknown e-mail attachments. What should you do if you think you've been scammed? Go online and file a complaint with the Internet Crime Complaint Center run by the FBI and the National White Collar Crime Center. You can also file a complaint with the Federal Trade Commission and contact your local police.