Shopping Online? Tips for Smart Holiday Shopping

WASHINGTON - Online holiday shopping is getting more and more popular, but the Electronic Retailing Association warns consumers to be savvy and safe.

This year the association projects people will spend more than $24.6 billion online this holiday season.

So, how safe is using a credit card online?

"It's safer than giving your credit card to a waiter or waitress at a restaurant," Barbara Tulipane, president and CEO of the association, tells WTOP.

She says there's a perception that there is a lot of fraud online.

"If you read the statistics, it's less online than it is anywhere else."

She also challenges the notion that you'll have fewer problems with the big online retailers.

"When we shop at a brick and mortar and we have a bad experience with one retailer we don't say, 'Oh, I'm never going to go to a brick and mortar store again,'" she says. "However, when a consumer has a bad experience online he says, 'That's it. I'm never going to shop online again.' Rather than look at the method of shopping, you really have to look at the retailer."

She encourages shoppers to search out the smaller online stores to find the unique gifts.

Whatever online store you use, Tulipane suggests you use your credit card and not your debit card because you'll have more protection.

The association offers the following tips for online shopping:

1. Make sure all transactions are Secure Sockets Layer enabled and encrypted. Before entering personal information, be sure your browser's padlock is closed and locked.
2. Make sure "https:" begins the web address.
3. Look for third-party verification signs, such as the Better Business Bureau logo or the buySAFE seal. Clicking on the logo will give you more information about the company's status.
4. Be cautious of sites that don't offer a phone number. If the site doesn't list its security procedures, call and find out what they are.
5. Make sure the site accepts more than one type of credit card and gives an alternative to credit card payment.
6. Provide your credit card number every time you buy. It's not safe to let the company keep your information on file.
7. Use only one credit card for online shopping. That way you can easily track your purchases.
8. Don't respond to e-mails that ask for your password, Social Security number, birth date, credit card number or other personal information.
9. Compare prices at numerous sites to get the best deal.
10. Read the fine print and know your rights as a consumer. Tulipane says sites should provide you with the information you need to make returns.

(Copyright 2007 by WTOP. All Rights Reserved.)