Look for and ask about refund policies. Questions to ask should focus on:

• the required timeframe in which a buyer must contact the retailer and return the items
• whether a full refund will be offered or a merchandise credit provided
• whether an item that has been opened or used can be returned

For retailers without refund policies, consumers may be able to access buyer protection programs from either the shopping site or through the payment method they use. This ensures that if there is a problem that the payment will be covered or refunded as a result of the protection guarantee - for example, many credit cards have chargeback facilities.

Online consumers are afforded the same legal protection as offline consumers.

Many people use passwords for online stores that can be guessed, like their birthday, a family member’s name or even their username. Instead, a password should contain a combination of upper and lower case letters and numbers and symbols that no one else can guess. You should also use different passwords for different accounts. It is also helpful to periodically change your password to help ensure that it cannot be guessed.

When paying online, consumers should take precautions when entering credit card or bank account information at each online retailer they visit. Entering these details on several different merchant websites increases the likelihood of your personal information being compromised. There are safe and easy-to use payment services, such as PayPal,or Stormpay which allow shoppers to enter account information only once into a highly secure and reputable site that protects this financial information from improper use. Future purchases should be made from that one account to avoid the need to enter credit card or banking information separately into the websites of individual retailers.

Additionally, many websites use a technology called Secure Sockets Layer (SSL) to encrypt personal and financial information sent over the Internet. A browser will display the icon of a locked padlock at the bottom of the screen to indicate encryption. Also consumers can look for third party seals that accredit sites with safe handling policies and procedures such as the VeriSign or TrustE logos.

While Internet shops frequently offer lower prices than brick and mortar stores, shoppers should be wary of unreasonably low prices or unusually attractive promises. With any purchase online or offline, shoppers should read the fine print (or, in some instances, click the links describing the purchase agreement). If in doubt, don’t proceed with the purchase – there will always be other options available when shopping online.

Each computer connected to the Internet must have up-to-date anti-virus and anti-spam software as well as firewall protection. These are the first steps in a number of protective measures that are outlined by the Australian Computer Emergency Response Team (AusCERT) in the Guide

Always follow the safe trading guidelines provided by the site you are shopping on.

Retain copies of all correspondence and communication as this may help solve disputes between buyers and sellers. Communicate with the seller or retailer. If this fails, contact the service or financial institution used to make the payment to see if it can be reversed. Contact your local police service to make a complaint if you are willing to provide a statement.

First and foremost, a buyer should contact the retailer from which the product was purchased. If agreement can’t be reached, the consumer should contact either the payment method or service used to dispute charges and finally contact the police to report the incident.

More information about avoiding fraud online is available in the e-Commerce Safety Guide.ebay.
Click here to download the complete version(720kb).

 

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ADVICE AND INFORMATION FREE FROM Designer Handbag Union.