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Advice

We can’t always get to the shops and it’s handy to shop on the net. I’m not alone—more and more people are using the internet to buy things, from books and CDs to holidays and flights, and some people even buy cars online. Experts will tell you that you're more likely to get your credit card details stolen in a shop than on the internet, but it’s still good to know about some common scams that can happen, and some tips for making shopping on the internet an even safer experience.

One of the risks for children having so many online shops at their finger tips is that they might be tempted to use your card to buy something they see. Make sure that your children know that they should never use your credit or debit card to buy things online without your permission; you could make this part of your family agreement. It's not just credit or debit cards, though. Sometimes sites aimed at children let them buy things, like ringtones, using their mobile phone credit.

The first piece of advice when shopping on the net is only to buy from places you know and trust, or sites that have been recommended by people you trust. For one thing, larger companies will do more to protect their reputations and make sure their sites are secure, and you can be pretty sure you’ll be able to contact them by phone if something does go wrong and you need to sort it out.

One thing to look out for is what happens when you go to pay. The web page where you enter your payment details, like a credit or debit card or a gift voucher number, should have an address that starts ‘https’ not just ‘http’. This tells you they're using a secure internet connection so your details won’t be readable by other people. Look out for a little padlock symbol or an unbroken key too. This also indicates the site is secure. It’s best to use a combination of all these checks before you decide to shop online.

As with all purchases make sure you know the terms and conditions before you buy—be aware of any payment commitments you are entering into, like whether you are making a single payment or a series of payments. And once you’re shopping online, always check your bank statements and credit card statements carefully as soon as they come—and raise any queries with the retailer concerned or with you bank or card company if something doesn’t make sense.

If you find a transaction you didn't make, contact your bank, building society or card issuer immediately. One other thing to remember: nobody should ever ask you to send your bank account details or PIN in an email, so never give out your details if you get a message asking you for them. Even if an email appears to be from your bank don't reply. Fake emails from banks or other organisations, like eBay, are common on the internet and are known as phishing scams.