If you’re one of the many consumers who are actively using the Internet, then there’s a chance that you have already tried shopping online. You have a vast amount of choices, and all of the products are just one click away. Furthermore, you don’t have to think of parking hassles, crowded malls, and long waiting lines.

However, with this convenience comes the risk of getting victimized by identity thieves who are lurking around the Web to find potential prey. Remember that you should always purchase with care ; this is the best identity theft protection precaution you can take.

Here are some ways you can effectively “purchase with care” when shopping online.

The Basic Do’s and Don’ts of Online Shopping

If you want to be a smart online shopper, enjoy great offers and hot deals, and prevent identity theft, here are some important do’s and don’ts you have to put into practice.

• Do some research first – Before you start keying in your credit card information on a shopping site, you must do your homework. Look for basic signs of security, like a “padlock” symbol and a URL that begins with “https,” because those means that the site is secure and safe for shopping. If it’s your first time making a purchase online, you can contact the seller too. Reputable online sellers put their contact numbers on their sites for customers to use. If the site does not have a contact number, look for an email address or a “chat” box where you can send a message to the site’s representatives.
  
  
• Do not purchase from spammers – Always trust your instincts on this one. If, for example, you receive an email tempting you to buy high-end products at a price immensely lower than the market price, you should think of it as a scam. Scam artists have plenty of ways to make quick cash from luring in consumers, while others are more focused on stealing your financial and credit card information. Keep in mind that if you ever make purchases from scammers, you’ll never obtain your products and they’ll run away with your money. Doing business through email is always a risky deal, and you should avoid it at all costs.
  
  
• Do pay with your credit card instead of paying with cash or through wire transfer – This offers protection in case trouble arises from your purchases. Using credit cards for online payment allows you to make disputes and gives protection against identity thieves. Remember that if your credit card is misused, you are not liable for the fraudulent charges as long as you report the case immediately to your card issuer. You must not pay your online purchases with cash and wire transfers because the money directly comes from your account and you have no chance for disputing the charges in case a problem arises. This means that getting your cash back can be difficult.
  
  
• Do make purchases on an encrypted website – encryption is what makes your Internet purchases secure because it automatically codes or scrambles the personal data you enter to prevent a third party from hacking or intercepting it. Reputed e-sellers know how crucial it is to have encryption on their websites. The “padlock” and the “https” mentioned above are the main signs to help you know that the site you are visiting is secure and encrypted. However, you should also remember that not all sites claiming to be “secure” are really secure. Also, before you make business with an e-seller, be sure to read all the terms and conditions, especially their privacy policy. This will help you understand how they keep their customers’ information private from potential hackers.
  
  Amy is an active blogger who is fond of sharing interesting finance related articles to encourage people to manage and protect their finances. She also covers topics on the importance of getting regular credit monitoring and how can a lost green card lead to identity theft and credit scams.