Use these precautions when shopping by computer

With a few key strokes and the click of a mouse you can shop at home from your computer. Sounds great, right? No traffic. No parking problems. No lines or crowds. No hassles with the weather.

Online shopping can give new meaning to convenience and choice. But before you visit your favorite boutique on the Net, take care to make your cybershopping experience safe.

The basics according to the Federal Trade Commission are:

Think security, starting with your connection — the way your computer connects through telephone wires to contact the Internet to receive information on the Internet.

Unsecured information sent over the Internet can be intercepted. That’s why you should consider a secure browser, which will encrypt or scramble purchase information. Use a secure browser that complies with industry standards such as secure sockets layer (SSL) or Secure Hypertext Transfer Protocol (SHTTP). These often are included with Internet connection services. The credit and charge card industry is working on an enhanced level of security using Secured Electronic Transactions (SET). SET protocol provides a highly encrypted communication between card issuers, merchants and card numbers.

If you don’t have encryption software to assure the security of your transaction, consider calling the company’s 800 number, faxing your order or paying by check or meny order.

Shop with companies you know. If you’d like to try a new merchant, ask for a paper catalog or brochure to get a better idea of their merchandise and services. Determine the company’s refund and return policies before you place an order

Never give out your Internet password.

Be original when creating your password(s). Consider using a combination of numbers, letters and symbols, or use a phrase to remember it. For example:UR2G$48*, “You are to give money for eight stars.”

Avoid using established numbers for your password, such as your house number, date of birth, or a portion of your telephone or Social Security numbers. It’s a good idea to use different passwords to access specific as are on the Internet such as The World Wide Web.

Be cautious if you’re asked to supply personal information, such as your Social Security number, to conduct a transaction. It’s rarely necessary and should raise a red flag. The Internet provides a valuable information service for consumers. But some con artists who have used telemarketing, infomercials, newspapers, magazines, and the mail to attract consumers are turning to the Internet and online services to promote their scams.

Pay close attention to the information you’re entering when you place an order. For example, an additional keystroke could get 10 shirts when you wanted only one. Check to make sure the shipping charge is acceptable to you and all charges are calculated correctly.

Make a note of the company’s shipping time. If you need the merchandise earlier, ask if your order can be “expressed” for an additional fee.

The same laws that protect you when you shop by phone or mail apply when you shop in cyberspace: under the law, a company should ship your order within the time stated in its ads. If no time is promised, the company should ship your order within 30 days after receiving it, or give you an “option notice.” This notice gives you the choice of agreeing to the delay or canceling your order and receiving a prompt refund.

There is one exception to the 30-day rule. If a company doesn’t promise a shipping time, and you are applying for credit to pay for your purchase, the company has 50 days after receiving your order to ship.

Should you decide to pay by credit or charge card, your transaction will be protected by the Federal Credit Billing act. Some cards may provide additional warranty or purchase protection benefits. If you’re not comfortable entering your credit or charge card account number, call it into the company’s 800 number or fax it.

Print out a copy of your order and confirmation number for your records.

Whether you are buying online, by phone, mail, or in person at a store, using your credit or charge card to pay offers some protection.

If you find a billing error on your monthly credit or charge card statement, you may dispute the charge and withhold payment in that amount while the error is in dispute. The error might be a charge for the wrong amount, for something you didn’t accept, or for something that wasn’t delivered as agreed.

Write to the creditor at the special address indicated on the monthly statement for “billing inquiries.” Include your name, address, and credit or charge card number, and describe the billing-error.

Send your letter as soon as possible. It must reach the creditor within 60 days after the first bill containing the error was mailed to you.

The creditor must acknowledge your complaint in writing within 30 days of receiving it, unless the problem has already been resolved. The creditor must resolve the dispute within two complete billing cycles, but not more than 90 days, after receiving your letter.

If your credit or charge card is used without your authorization, you can be held liable for up to $50 per account. If you report the loss of your credit card before it is used you are not liable for any unauthorized charges.

Consumer Forum is a collaborative effort of the Bangor Daily News and Northeast COMBAT. Send your questions to Consumer Forum, Bangor Daily News, P.O. Box 1329, Bangor 04402-1329. COMBAT is a membership organization with basic dues of $10 a year. For membership information write to the above address. Please enclose a large, stamped, self-addressed envelope.