Online Sales Continue to Grow Steadily

Online sales continue to grow steadily. For example, many brick and mortar music stores that sell CDs have closed in recent years. But sales of CDs on Amazon.com continue to remain strong. So there are many items you can find online that are hard to find in brick and mortar stores, But even with the popularity of shopping online, many people still have fears about safety. Here are some tips for you to help you shop securely.

Stick with trusted websites. If you shop at Amazon.com or large retail sites such as Target, Best Buy, J. Crew, Sears, etc. you are guaranteed a safe and smooth transaction. Sometimes, however, you’re going to find an item on a small mom and pop website. To guarantee a secure transaction, use PayPal if they provide that as an option. PayPal protects your credit card info and the seller doesn’t see it. If the website doesn’t provide this as an option, you can email and ask them if they would accept a PayPal transaction. Most sellers are eager to please customers and will accommodate you. Google Checkout is another secure option.

If you are buying from a website in a foreign country then you will also want to use PayPal. It will convert your payment into the proper currency and keep your credit card information secure.

If you are paying by credit card on a website that you are unfamiliar with, look for icons such as “McAfee Secure” or “VeriSign Secured.” This guarantees that your credit card information will be transmitted securely. Anytime you are unsure or hesitant, just email the customer service department or website owner with your concerns.

Also make sure the seller provides a guarantee and lets you return the item for a refund. This will help protect you.

Don’t leave your computer unsupervised when you are shopping online. If you are in a public place or on a public computer close your browser if you have to step away.

Overall, online shopping is as safe as shopping in brick and mortar stores. Sometimes, no matter how diligent you are, your credit card information might get into the wrong hands and someone might make a transaction on your account. Call your credit card company or bank immediately. They will usually reverse the charge immediately and you will have to fill out a short form. Also, credit card companies can help you if you purchase a product that never arrives or is defective and the seller isn’t willing to resolve it. They will usually reverse the charge for you in those circumstances as well. But the likelihood of this happening is remote if you following the safety guidelines.