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| Total Format Safe UK Shopping |
Safe UK Shopping on the Internet
We've all heard how great Internet Shopping can be; that you can get things far cheaper as the shops don't have to pay expensive overheads. How convenient it is - you can shop when you want to. How there's a much broader range - you can find specialist items on the Internet you'd never find on the high street. How it's easy to compare prices, and how there are no queues and plenty of parking online!
But before you start shopping on the Internet there are a number of questions you have to ask yourself.
- Do you trust the vendor?
- Do they have a 'secure' server?
- What are their delivery times?
- Can you contact them if the order goes wrong?
- Are there any hidden charges?
Most Internet shopping sites use some sort of shopping cart - this is your virtual trolley into which you can place items, then take them to the checkout when you want to pay. The checkout must be in a secure server in order for your transaction to be secure. |
Safe Shopping Advice
Just like giving your credit card to a waiter or paying for petrol at the garage, so long as you take some basic precautions shopping online is safe to do. You should:
- Always print out your order confirmation.
- Check the delivery times and prices.
- Pay by credit card - this can give you extra protection.
- Don't leave the computer unsupervised while shopping online.
- Log out properly at the end of a transaction.
- Make sure you can contact them if the order goes wrong, and that they have an after sales policy.
Any Other Safe Shopping Hints?
- Order more than just one item at a time to save on delivery costs.
- Try and get your goods delivered at a time when you will be there, otherwise your package might get left with the neighbours from hell!
- Become members of web sites - this might entitle you to a discount as well as being notified about special offers.
- Don't get carried away and spend too much!
One Last Word...
"I love Internet shopping - In the last few years I've bought so much online, from books and CDs to trainers and a TV" says Tom Martin, the founders of Total Format. "So long as you take some basic precautions you shouldn't have to worry. Don't rush in to anything - there are hundreds of shops and stores out there, and try to enjoy yourself - you can still feel the excitement of finding a bargain sitting behind a computer screen. Just don't get carried away and fill your credit card up in one go!" |
Secure Servers
Secure servers provide unique encryption sessions between your computer and a merchant's website and keep your data safe when interacting with online payment systems. Secure server certificates are created for a particular server, a specific domain and a verified business entity which allows web site visitors to safely transmit sensitive information and get a better idea of who they are entrusting it to.
Identifying a Secure Connection in your browser
When you access a secure server the address of the web site will change from 'http://www...' to 'https://www...' signifying that the site is secure. Most web browsers (the program you are using right now to view this website) will also have a notification area that informs you - either visually, audibly or both - when you enter and leave a secure server. Over the last few years, web browsers (such as Internet Explorer, Firefox, Netscape, Opera, Safari and many more) have diversified in look and usability so much that the methods used to notify you when you access a secure connection vary significantly in each browser.
On older browsers you will most likely see a padlock appear along the status bar of your browser - this is most likely found at the bottom of the screen.
Examples can be seen here:
| Netscape 6 Symbol |
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| Internet Explorer 6 Symbol |
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| Mozilla Firefox 1 Symbol |
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On newer browsers the focus has shifted towards the address bar (where you see 'http://www.totalformat.com/shopping') along the top of the screen.
Examples can be seen here:
Mozilla Firefox 2 (address bar)
Internet Explorer 7 (address bar)
Netscape Navigator 9 (address bar)
Opera 9 (address bar)
Safari 3 (top right corner)
In the case of Firefox and Netscape, the address bar also turns yellow to further highlight your secure connection, whilst Opera 9 also displays the name of the merchant who runs the website and the secure server. A new type of secure server certificate, known as "extended validation" certificates will change the colour of the address bar to green when the certificate is valid.
Invalid Certificates / Insecure Sites
Some Browsers (suce as I.E.7) will warn you if you ever try to access an invalid, expired or revoked certificate. If you choose to ignore this warning and proceed to the site, your address bar will turn red.
If your address bar turns red or none of the above happens*, then this is not a secure server - don't enter your credit card details. Don't be afraid to email the vendor and ask them a few questions to put your mind at rest!
Note about Actinic Sites
Shopping sites using the Actinic software don't use standard secure servers as mentioned above, but use 128-bit encryption using a Java applet to safely encrypt credit card information. Barclays Bank, HSBC and the Royal Bank of Scotland approve Actinic software for their merchants to use. Again, if you have any doubts email the merchant.
Secure Server Providers
You can find out more about secure servers by visiting the websites below:
You may also see the logos of the above providers shown prominently on websites claiming to have a secure server, in most cases you can click this logo for a real-time status check, supplied by the provider, allowing you to further verify the merchant's credentials.
* - if you have applied a custom look (also known as a 'skin') to your web browser, this may affect the appearance and location of elements on your screen - if in doubt check with the manufacturer of the 'skin' and/or your browser. |
Your Rights
The Distance Selling Regulations
Online retailers must:
- offer clear information about goods and services up front
- give written confirmation of purchases
- offer a 'cooling off' period where you can cancel for any reason within 7 days of receipt of goods and still get a full refund
- offer a full refund if goods don't arrive by the date agreed (or within 30 days if no date was agreed).
The Sale of Goods Act
Goods you buy must:
- be safe and of satisfactory quality
- not be damaged or defective (unless this was pointed out in advance)
- be fit for the purpose
- be as described by the seller
- last for a reasonable length of time
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Useful Safe Shopping Sites
BBC Watchdog - www.bbc.co.uk/consumer
The team will investigate your story.
Office of Fair Trading - www.oft.gov.uk
Gives very helpful online shopping advice.
Trust UK - www.trustuk.org.uk
is a non-profit organisation endorsed by the UK Government to enable consumers to buy online with confidence.
Trading Standards - www.tradingstandards.gov.uk
For consumer protection information in the UK.
Data Protection Registrar - www.dpr.gov.uk
If you do not want your personal details to be used for direct marketing, you have the right to object.
The Consumer Gateway - www.consumer.gov.uk
Offers information and advice for consumers.
HM Customs and Excise - www.hmce.gov.uk
Good advice on excise duties and VAT if you're buying from outside the UK.
Review Centre - www.reviewcentre.com
Has consumer reviews of online shops.
Howtocomplain.com - www.howtocomplain.com
Learn about your rights and where to get advice and help. |
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