Online Shopping & Safety

Take extra precautions when buying online.

Here's how to make sure transactions are legitimate.

Shopping online is easier than visiting a store, in a lot of cases. But it also requires more awareness. Keep these points in mind when visiting retail or auction websites.

• Do your research. Select a reputable online company.
• Use common sense. If you feel uneasy about the online transaction, don’t do it.
• Get as much information about the seller and the merchandise as possible when buying online. If it's difficult to learn basic information, such as how to contact them, don't do business with them. 
• Select a payment option that you feel most comfortable with. Many online auction houses have payment protection programs. Do your research before making a decision.
• Familiarize yourself with the online auction site's security, privacy and online buying and selling policies.