Shop safely on the web

Prevent credit card hassles with these cautionary tips.

When shopping online, use only a secure Net browser.

Kevin Wasslen, Visa Canada’s director of risk management, urges shoppers to use only browsers with 128-bit encryption, the highest security level possible. This ensures your credit card number is automatically encrypted (scrambled) before it is sent to a retailer through the Internet.

To find out if your browser uses 128-bit encryption, while in Internet Explorer, click Help at the top of your computer screen. Then click About Internet Explorer.

When you’re shopping on the web, it can be hard to know when it is — and isn’t — safe to enter your name, password or credit card number. Windows Live OneCare, a subscription-based PC-protection package, helps make online shopping safer with its integrated anti-phishing filter.

OneCare monitors your PC to make sure you have Internet Explorer 7 installed and the Microsoft Phishing Filter turned on. The filter lets you know if the site you’re browsing is a suspected phishing web site, preventing you from giving out sensitive personal information.

Look for the lock icon

If a retailer’s web site is secure, it will show an unbroken lock or key icon in the bottom left-hand corner of the screen. Wasslen says the lock icon is your assurance that only you and the merchant can view the transaction details. If you cannot find the icon on your web browser, turn on the Status Bar, located under View in the menu bar.

Also look for the prefix https in the web address box on your browser. This ensures you are in a safe environment when you start inputting confidential information such as a credit card number.

Don’t send sensitive information via e-mail

Never send payment information through e-mail. E-mail is not encrypted, so it’s not secure.

You can be secure with your credit card

Whether you’re shopping online or in person, most major credit card companies have zero cardholder liability policies, which protect you from fraud. That means you’re not liable for unauthorized transactions charged to your card.

Online credit card security

Credit card issuers in Canada are experimenting with ways to make online shopping more secure — with techniques that use special passwords and one-time-use credit card numbers.

The Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce offers a CIBC Entourage American Express Card smart card embedded with a microchip. Cardholders are given special software and a smart card reader, which attaches to their personal computer.

When customers want to buy online, they visit a participating merchant’s web site and insert their card into the reader. Using this system, cardholders never have to enter their credit card number. The software detects the smart card reader and the cardholder is prompted to enter a password. The card and password are authenticated by CIBC.

Shop with who you know

Find out the company’s refund and return policies before you make your purchase. Take the time to find out where your gifts can be returned if they turn out to be the wrong size or colour.

Keep a paper trail

Wasslen says that although the Internet promises a “paperless society,” it’s a good idea to keep a hard copy record of your purchases for tracking delivery or to return or exchange items. Make sure you note the merchant’s Internet address and always print off and save e-mail purchase confirmations.

Leave nothing to chance

The Better Business Bureau recommends you make sure you understand everything involved before placing an order. Be clear on the price and any shipping and handling charges, especially when the purchase crosses a border. Know the terms of any product or service guarantees. Find out how long it will be before you receive your order.