Here's a list of tips you should consult when shopping online.

• Double check pricing.
  Whether the product is being sold as new or used, be suspicious of prices that are too good to be true. Also consider carefully whether you may be paying too much for an item, particularly if you're bidding through an auction site. You may want to comparison shop, online or offline, before you buy.
  
  
• Check the site's privacy policy.
  Read the privacy policy carefully to find out what information the seller is gathering from you, how the information will be used, and how you can stop the process. If a site does not have a privacy policy posted, you may not want to do business with that site. If it does have a privacy policy, there will probably be a link to it from the seller's home page, or it could be included with the Legal Terms.
  
  
• Review the return, refund, and shipping and handling policies as well as the other legal terms.
  If you can't find them, ask the seller through an e-mail or telephone call to indicate where they are on the site or to provide them to you in writing.
  
  
• Check the Web Site Address.
  Above the web site at the top of your screen is a rectangular window that contains the web site address (also called the URL, or Uniform Resource Locator). By checking that address, you can make sure that you are dealing with the correct company.
  (Cyber-thieves have created web sites that look convincingly like the web sites of well-known companies. These sites capture the credit card numbers of unwary shoppers. The thieves then use the stolen credit card numbers to make fraudulent purchases in the shopper's name. If these shoppers had checked the URL at the top of the screen, they would have noticed that it was not the same address as the real company.)
  
  
• Trust your instincts.
  Look at the online shopping site with a critical eye. If you don't feel comfortable buying or bidding on an item over the web, or if you feel pressured to place your order immediately, maybe you shouldn't.
  
  

• Check that the Internet connections are secure.
  Before you give your payment information, there are various icons and software programs that indicate that security software is in place.
  See Secure Internet Connections.
  
  
• Use the safest way to pay on the Internet.
  The safest way to shop on the Internet is with a credit card. In the event something goes wrong, you are protected under the federal Fair Credit Billing Act.
  See Safest Way to Pay Online.
  
  
• Never Give Out Your Social Security Number.
  Providing your Social Security number is not a requirement for placing an order at an e-commerce web site. There is no need for the merchant to ask for it. Giving out your Social Security number could lead to having your identity stolen.
  
  
• Keep a Purchase Record
  Be sure to print a copy of your purchase order and confirmation number for your records.
  You may also print and date a copy of terms, conditions, warranties, item description, company information, even confirming e-mails, and save them with your records of your purchase.
  
  

• Inspect your purchase.
  Look at your purchase carefully as soon as you receive it. Contact the seller as soon as possible if you discover a problem with it. Tell the seller in writing about any problem that you are concerned with, ask for a repair or refund, and keep a copy of your correspondence.
  
  
• Review your monthly credit card and bank statements.
  Review your monthly credit card and bank statements for any errors or unauthorized purchases promptly and thoroughly. Notify your credit or debit card issuer immediately if your credit or debit card or checkbook is lost or stolen, or if you suspect someone is using your accounts without your permission.
  
  

Many online shopping web sites use Secure Sockets Layer (SSL) technology to encrypt the credit card information that you send over the Internet. A different security technology, which works on different principles, is Secure Electronic Transaction (SET) technology. SET or SSL technology are designed to make your connection secure.

How do you tell if the Internet connections are secure?

Look at the top of your screen where the web site address is displayed. Always check if the web address on the page that asks for your credit card information begins with "https:" instead of "http:"; if so, this secure connection technology is in place. The "s" that is displayed after "http" indicates that the web site is secure.

Other ways to tell whether a web site uses security software (on the page that asks for your credit card information):

• Netscape Navigator™ (earlier versions) - You see the icon of an unbroken key at the bottom of the screen.
• Netscape Navigator™ (versions 4.0 and higher) - Your browser displays the icon of a locked padlock at the bottom of the screen.
• Microsoft Internet Explorer® - You see the icon of a lock on the status bar.

Is the seller complying with the 30-Day Rule?

A Federal Trade Commission ("FTC") rule states that if a seller says that a product will be shipped within a certain time, the seller must reasonably believe it will. If the seller doesn't specify the time within which an item will be shipped, the seller must reasonably believe that it can be shipped within 30 days from the day the order is placed. If the seller can't ship the goods within the stated or 30-day deadline, the seller must notify you, then give you a chance to cancel your order and receive a refund. Or, the seller can just cancel your order and refund your money.

Violating these rules or regulations can expose a seller to legal action by the FTC, the Postal Service, and state law enforcement authorities. The FTC can assess penalties of up to $10,000 for each violation. These regulations do not apply to products ordered on a cash-on-delivery (C.O.D.) basis.

Do you know to whom to complain or contact if you are not satisfied or have a question?

Check the online shopping site for a customer service page, "contact us" link, e-mail address, or phone number to get your complaint addressed or questions answered. If you have a complaint, ask for what you think is fair - even if it's more than the legal terms stated. A merchant isn't forbidden from doing more than required to make the customer happy.

If you still are not satisfied with the answers or action taken, contact the:

• Better Business Bureau,
• The Federal Trade Commission's Consumer Complaint Form,
• or the Office of the State Attorney General in your state or the state where the seller is located which can be accessed through the National Association of Attorneys General.

Most reputable e-commerce web sites require the shopper to log-in before placing or viewing an order. The online shopper is usually required to provide a username and a password. Never reveal your password to anyone.

Do you use different passwords?
If you use a password to log on to your network or computer, use a different password for orders. Some web sites may require you to create a password for future orders. You may want to create a special password for particularly sensitive sites, such as your home banking site.

How did you choose your password?
The best passwords are not your address, birth date, phone number, or recognizable words. Choose a string of at least five letters, numbers, and punctuation marks. One easy way to create a memorable password is to take the first letter of each word in an expression or song lyric, and add some numbers and punctuation marks. For example, "tmottobg!5" is derived in part from "Take Me Out To The Old Ball Game."

How should you record your password?
Don't write down any password near your computer where someone could see it. If you do record it somewhere, reverse the order of the characters or transpose some letters or numbers. That way, someone finding it won't have discovered your true password.

Who wants to know your password or other identifying information?
Be very careful about responding to an e-mail, phone call, fax, or letter from anyone who asks for your password(s), social security number, birth date, bank account, credit card number, mother's maiden name, or other personal information. To verify that the person contacting you really does work for the seller, call and request to speak to that person directly. Except for your password and credit card number, you should never have to give any other information to place an order online.

And you should only give your password and credit card number in a secure connection on a web site, not in ordinary e-mail. "Theft of identity," in which someone gets access to your bank account or gets credit cards or loans in your name, is a growing problem, and you should carefully guard personal information that might allow a thief to impersonate you.