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Gene Kennedy reportingMany will avoid the pushing and shoving at the stores for the internet. The trend of online shopping is only going upward, but it has its' own pitfalls.
There are many issues you can face in cyber space. How about ordering your mom's Christmas present, and it doesn't arrive on time? Identity theft is also becoming more and more of a concern.
For those who are not internet savvy, a couple easy tips. Deal with companies you know and respect, and let a friend of yours who knows the internet well walk you through the process. That's a basic way to get started.
Once you're on, here are five things to look for:
- Assess the site...make sure the company has basic information about its' products, plus a phone number and address.
- Look for privacy policies...The company should let you know if your information is shared with third parties.
- What people say...also find out what people say about these companies...not only your friends but other sites and news media reports.
- Pay by credit card...make sure you pay with your credit card...you'll have the same protections as in a regular store...especially if there's fraud or the product isn't delivered.
- Shop secure sites...finally, shop on a secured web site.
Francine Giani / Dir., Utah Commerce: "Make sure you've got a secure website because if you don't have that, your information is out there in cyber space...once that happens, it could be dangerous."
Websites that have that lock symbol or the https indicate a secured site.
