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Shopping-On-Line Tips from the F.B.I.

          Like millions of Americans you probably do some of your shopping online. Retailers expect approximately half of all shoppers to make at least one purchase online and more than a third of all shoppers to use the Internet to compare prices or research products. Remember, online shopping comes with a risk. The following are a few tips to keep you safe while shopping online:

1.)      Use anti-virus and anti-spyware software and keep up with the security updates, to prevent viruses and malicious programs from infecting your computer.

2.)      Use your credit card instead of a debit card when making a purchase. A criminal could have direct access to your bank account if your debit card is lost or stolen. Credit cards offer added protection from fraudulent transactions.

3.)      Make purchases using websites with secure connections. Look for websites that use Secure Socket Layer (SSL) security which protects your personal information. Check the browser’s status bar for an unbroken “padlock” icon that indicates the site uses SSL.

4.)      Be careful when accessing certain links online. Online scammers will redirect shoppers to a bogus web page that looks similar to the legitimate page in order to coerce you into sharing personal information. To mitigate this threat, be careful when clicking on shopping links, set your browser to block pop-up windows, and type the actual store’s web address into your browser instead of using a link that may have been provided.

5.)      Never use your Social Security Number to make an online purchase.

6.)      Consider using prepaid cards to make online purchases.

7.)      Use strong passwords. A strong password should include at least five letters, one number and a punctuation mark. Avoid using address, birth date, phone number or your pet’s name.