Safe Shopping Resources
Please use Links Below to Sections
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Online Safety - Shopping Online Video
Get Safe Top 10
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Make sure your computer has up-to-date internet security software, switched on.
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Don’t reveal personal information on social networking sites.
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Regularly backup the data on your computer and smartphone/tablet.
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Never reveal your password or PIN when asked to do so by email or on the phone.
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Be careful who you are selling to and buying from on auction sites.
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Choose strong passwords, change them regularly and don’t tell anybody what they are.
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When shopping, paying or banking online, always make sure the website is secure.
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Always download the latest software and operating system updates when prompted.
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Remember your smartphone is also a target for viruses and spyware.
More Information
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If you think you have been a victim of fraud: Report it to Action Fraud, the UK’s national fraud reporting centre by calling 0300 123 20 40 or by visitng www.actionfraud.police.uk
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Protection
The same consumer rights you have when shopping on the High Street also apply online. The items must be of satisfactory quality and the description of the item must not be misleading. If you find that goods you have purchased are faulty, you are entitled to return them for a full refund, providing you return them within 30 days.
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Methods of payment
The best way to protect yourself when you are making payments online is to use your credit card. If the item or service worth more than £100 (and less than £30,000) then you will be protected by the Consumer Credit Act, which means that the credit card company will be liable for any defects.
The credit card company is then equally responsible as the vendor, especially if the vendor was misleading or if the goods never arrive. This protection only applies when buying from UK websites.
Purchases made by Visa debit cards should be protected under the chargeback scheme, although this is not a legal requirement and American Express users may be able to get refunds through AMEX.
Alternatively, you can make purchases using Paypal. This is a safe payment system, owned by auction website eBay, that uses encryption. With Paypal, you can send and receive money online, provided you have a valid email address. This service also allows you to use different currencies, such as US dollars, Canadian dollars, euros and yen.
Paypal also has a buyer protection feature, whereby you can claim for goods up to the value of £250 at no additional cost but only on the condition that you make your complaint within 30 days.
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