Buying online

internet.org.uk recommend several very simple steps to protect yourself when buying or trading online.

When purchasing goods, services or information via the internet, we recommend that you:

  1. Identify the web site trader;
  2. get a tangible address for the trader;
  3. consider the added risks of transacting with web site traders who are based outside your country or state;
  4. check whether standard terms and conditions of contract are referred to on the web site's home page;
  5. if there are any queries about the terms and conditions, contact the trader for clarification prior to purchase;
  6. take a copy, or make a note, of any advertisement or representation made about the goods and services by the web trader;
  7. if using a payment card, check whether an encryption facility is available and if so use it;
  8. instead of debit cards, consider using credit cards as these gnerally offer better protection and use cards with low limits or tied to accounts only used for Internet transactions to further minimise any exposure to fraud;
  9. if there is no encryption available, find out from the card issuer exactly what its policy is on internet transactions; and,
  10. consider any Internet contract carefully and take your time. Consumers should remember that you can use the Internet at your own pace without any salesperson pressurising you - this is one of the great advantages of trading via the Internet. Use this time to full advantage and avoid getting into something you might later regret.

For mobile devices:

  1. ensure that you clear any personal data that could identify you or any recent transactions (ensure that you empty inbox, outbox, sent items and browser caches) as soon as possible;
  2. due to the risks associated with radio communications, you should also consider using additional security (encryption and PIN/Password protection) for personal data;
  3. never accept any unsolicited adverts, offers or other 'pushed' content, particularly when these arrive via unprotected channels such as Bluetooth or WiFi;
  4. always leave Bluetooth and other network services switched off when not in use;
  5. read mobile contracts carefully, they can lock you into a regular fee for receiving premium rate messages (to stop unwanted premium rate services, send an SMS containing 'STOP' or 'STOP ALL' to the people sending these messages); and,
  6. never conduct transactions in a public location where you may draw unwelcome attention from people wanting to acquire your handset or credit-card.
 
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