Nevada County Picayune and Gurdon Times Newspaper Archive

Living Well

Shopping online can be beneficial, but be sure to take steps to protect the transactions:

• Shop with companies you know. If you want to purchase from a company that is new to you, first request a paper catalog or brochure.
• Use a secure browser. (The browser is the software you use to navigate World Wide Web.) If your browser is secure, the purchase information sent over the internet is scrambled and encrypted. If you are asked to create a password before initiating a transaction, don't use personal information, such as your date of birth, telephone number, passport number or Social Security number. Make up a combination of letters, numbers and symbols. The next time you order something (from that company or any other), create a new password.
• Consider the payment options available. If you use a credit or charge card, the transaction is protected by the Fair Credit Billing Act. If there is a problem, you have the right to dispute charges and withhold payment until the matter is settled. If you use a debit card, you are protected under the Electronic Fund Transfer Act. But, because the money for the purchase is transferred almost immediately from your bank account to the merchant's, paying with a debit card is like paying with cash or a check.
• Print a copy of your records. Regardless of payment method, the federal Mail or Telephone Merchandise Rule covers all online orders. Under this rule, merchandise must be delivered within 30 days, unless stated otherwise. The company must notify you if there will be delays.
• Review your monthly bank and credit card statements for unauthorized payments or billing errors. If your credit card or debit card is lost or stolen, notify the card issuer or your financial institution immediately.