What to avoid
In the world of e-commerce and online auctions there are some things that should definitely be avoided. Steering clear of sites that fail in any of the following areas is a good way to reduce your chances of getting ripped off online.
- Don't do business with sites that have no privacy statements. Read a site's privacy statement closely to make sure it is saying something of substance, and not just saying they'll do whatever they please with your infoâ€"in legalese.
- Avoid doing business with sites that can't be checked up on. If a site will not divulge a street address and telephone number, something fishy is probably going on. Without contact info to follow up with if something goes wrong, you will have little or no recourse.
- Don't use auction sites that don't have feedback or referral systems. Without some means of checking up on sellers you are practically buying blind.
- Don't make online purchases using credit cards with sites that don't have secure, encrypted transaction systems. If you see the open padlock icon in Navigator, or no security icon in Internet Explorer, don't submit your personal information.
- Never do business with companies or individuals who have contacted you via spam. Besides being one of the banes of online activity, unsolicited commercial e-mail is a common way that crooks try to entice their victims.
