Using the internet for your shopping needs has a number of benefits – it is highly convenient, saves you time and offers a wide range of products and services at affordable prices. However, it is imperative that consumers know how to shop safely, as there are also risks associated with online shopping.

Consumers must keep in mind that while most e-shops offer a good service, there may be others that are fraudulent. So before making any online purchase, consider the following tips and recommendations:

• Avoid sites that only accept payment by money order; in the case of non-delivery, it will be very difficult, if not impossible, to get your money back. Ideally, you should choose sites that offer the possibility of other payment options such as PayPal.

• Paying by credit card offers greater protection than other methods in terms of fraud and non-delivery. Many online retailers request the CVV code that is printed on the back of your card. Usually, the last three digits of the code will suffice. This is to prevent someone who has managed to obtain personal details such your name; card number and expiry date from making purchases using your card. Never give out your credit card or debit card details via e-mail.

• Check whether the company has a secure site. While effecting your transaction, see if there is a padlock icon in the browser window frame and the site’s web address must start with ‘https’ and not just ‘http’; the ‘s’ stands for ‘secure’.

It is imperative that consumers know how to shop safely, as there are also risks associated with online shopping

• After having made your purchase, check your credit card and bank statements carefully to ensure that the correct, authorised amount has been debited, and also that no fraud has taken place as a result of the transaction.

• The site should provide sufficient contact details; not just an e-mail address, but also a physical address and a landline telephone number.

• Never provide your credit card information on a website that is not a secure site. Ensure that your personal computer has updated and effective anti-virus and anti-spyware software.

• Check the sellers’ privacy policy and returns policy.

• Ideally, you should log out of sites into which you have logged in or registered your details; simply closing your browser does not always ensure privacy.

• It is advisable to do some research about a site that you intend to buy from and its reliability or untrustworthiness. Have a look at reviews posted by other users; this can help you make an informed decision.

• Also check whether the web trader has chosen to be affiliated with a Trustmark scheme. A Trustmark is a sign that will be displayed on the trader’s website and shows that the trader has considered and is interested in ensuring your rights. Trustmarks are normally monitored by the organisation which awards them to the retailers. The organisation ensures that the web trader always complies with the Trustmark’s rules and regulations.

• On the European Consumer Centre’s website one can find a tool called Howard. This is an interactive shopping assistant that can assist in evaluating the reliability of a site. It can help you distinguish the serious from the less genuine internet shops before you make a purchase, and can give you useful advice on shopping on international websites.

For further information about this tool visit: http://mt.theshoppingassistant.com .

This informtion has been provided by the European Consumer Centre Malta. ECC Malta is part of the European Consumer Centres Network. The network is financed by the European Commission and the EU member states and consists of 30 centres in the 28 member states, Norway and Iceland.

The aim of the network is to increase consumer confidence in the internal market by providing information on cross-border transactions and assisting consumers who have experienced problems with such purchases.

ECC Malta is hosted by the Malta Competition and Consumer Affairs Authority.

Ms Odette Vella is senior information officer, Office for Consumer Affairs, Malta Competition and Consumer Affairs Authority.