(Washington, DC) The holiday shopping season is in full swing, and Robert Spagnoletti, the Attorney General for the District of Columbia, wants to ensure residents have a worry-free online shopping experience. Here are a few tips for safe shopping on the Internet:

• To be eligible for greater consumer protection, pay with a credit card rather than sending a check or cash.
• Know who the online seller is before you purchase.  When in doubt, confirm the online seller’s physical address and phone number.
• Never email your personal information, like your credit card number.  If you get an email or pop-up message that asks for personal information, like a credit card number, do not reply or click on the link in the message.  Legitimate companies do not ask consumers to provide this kind of information by email.  If you want to pay for something online through a seller’s website, look for an indication that the site is secure, such as a URL that begins “https:” (the “s” stands for  secure).
• Know exactly what you are buying. Read the seller’s description of the product closely, especially the fine print disclosures.  Words like “refurbished,” “vintage,” or “close-out” may indicate that the product is in less-than-mint condition, while name-brand items with “too-good-to-be-true” prices could be counterfeits.
• Know exactly what you are going to pay.  Check out websites that offer price comparisons.  Remember to include shipping and handling charges when determining the total cost of an item.
• Make sure you understand the seller’s return and refund policies.  Find out when you can expect to receive your order.  A Federal Trade Commission rule requires sellers to ship items by the date promised or, if no specific date is promised, within 30 days after the order date.
• Keep a paper trail.  Print and save records of your online purchases, including the product description and price, the online receipt, and copies of any correspondence with the seller.  Check your credit card statements carefully for unauthorized charges.
• Check the company’s privacy policy.  The company’s website should tell you what personal information is being collected and how that information will be used.  If you cannot find or  cannot  understand the company’s privacy policy, consider buying from another company.
• For additional consumer protection information, including how to complain about a  consumer problem, go to the http://oag.dc.gov and click on Consumer Protection and Antitrust.

If you are unable to resolve a problem with a seller, call the Office of the Attorney General’s Consumer Hotline at 202-442-9828.

Have a safe and happy holiday season!