Online Shopping FairDiscount Deals

Here are more tips for protecting yourself while shopping in online auctions.

Know exactly what you’re bidding on. Read the seller’s description of the item or service, and if a photograph is posted, look at it. Read the fine print. Look for words like “refurbished,” “close out,” “discontinued,” or “off-brand” — especially when shopping for computer or electronic equipment — to get a better idea of the condition of the item. Sometimes this information and other important terms are in a contract that may be found by following a hyperlink in the listing to the seller’s online store.

Determine the relative value of an item before you bid. Be skeptical if the price sounds too low to be realistic. Use the internet to do some comparison shopping also check out stores in your area. “Brick-and-mortar” stores and price comparison sites may be good for reality checks.

Refuse to provide personal information. There should be no reason to give out your social security number or driver’s license number to the seller. Be cautious when responding to special offers (especially through unsolicited e-mail). It may be a smokescreen to get your personal information. Be cautious when dealing with individuals/companies from outside your own country. It is almost impossible for law enforcement to help you recover from a foreign scam.

Use your credit card when paying. The safest way to purchase items via the Internet is by credit card because you can often dispute the charges if something is wrong. Make sure the transaction is secure when you electronically send your credit card numbers. Look for a lock icon on the browser’s status bar or a website URL that begins “https:” (the “s” stands for “secure”). Don’t trust a site just because it claims to be secure. Before using the site, check out the security/encryption software it uses.

Consider utilizing an escrow or alternate payment service. Be suspicious of an online escrow service that cannot process its own transactions and requires you to set up accounts with online payment services. Legitimate escrow services never do this.

Consider whether the item comes with a warranty, and whether follow-up service is available if you need it. Many sellers don’t have the expertise or facilities to provide services for the goods they sell. If this is the case with your seller, be sure you’re willing to forfeit that protection before placing a bid. Email or call the seller if you have any questions. Wait to bid until you get straight and satisfactory answers.

Consider reserving a separate credit card, stored-value card, or bank account to use just for your online transactions. If the online payment service cannot recover the loss from the seller, it might try to recover its loss from you, using the credit card or bank account information. A separate account limits your exposure.

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