How to shop online more safely

Here are some tips that can help you determine if an online retailer in the South Africa operates a secure and trustworthy Web site.

1. Make sure the business is legitimate

Buy from reputable stores and sellers. If you have doubts, choose another company.
Always look for a phone number
Talk to people who have bought online

2. Look for third-party seals of approval

Companies can put seals on their sites if they abide by a set of rigorous standards—such as how personal information can be used.
Look for payment seals, and local publishers seals ie http://www.opa.org.za/
If you see the seals, click them to make sure they link to the organization that created them. Some unscrupulous merchants will put these logos on their sites without permission.

3. Make sure the Web site uses encryption

On the Web page where you enter your credit card or other personal information, look for an "s" after http in the Web address of that page. It should read: https://. (Encryption is a security measure that scrambles data as it traverses the Internet.)
Also make sure there is a tiny closed padlock in the address bar, or on the lower right corner of the window.

4. Keep your Web browser updated

Internet Explorer 7 and 8 provide another layer of protection with sites that use Extended Validation (EV) Secure Sockets Layer (SSL) Certificates. An EV SSL certificate not only helps ensures that the communication with a Web site is secure, it also includes information about the owner of the Web site, which has been identified by the Certification Authority (CA) issuing the SSL Certificate. The address bar turns green and has both https and the closed padlock.

5. Get the Details

Check for expected delivery dates, shipping and handling fees, warranties, return policies, and other important information. Look for an email address to write to (or a phone number to call) if you have a question, a problem, or if you need help. Store and Shopping merchants that they post all of this pertinent information on their "Information" pages and that they stay in touch with customers using the email and order-tracking tools that we provide.

6. Keep Good Records

Make sure to print or save electronically any records related to your online transactions. This will help you keep track of shipping dates, shipping and handling fees, and other details of your transactions.