The Internet brings a global marketplace of information, products and services into the privacy of our homes every day. Sitting around shopping in your pajamas may feel cozy and safe, but in reality, the chances of a problem are much greater than shopping in a bricks and mortar store.

 

That's because as you gather information from the Internet, the Internet is gathering information about you . . . sometimes without your knowledge. Some businesses will use the information you provide for fraudulent purposes. No one wants to lose money on an Internet transaction, but losing personal information—your identity—could do even more long-term damage to your financial well-being.

Before giving any personal information to a website:

• Review the website's privacy policy statement to learn what information is gathered or tracked, how it is used and with whom the information is shared, as well as your ability to correct the information.
• Does the website allow you to "opt-in," or wait for you to tell them whether to share your personal information, or must you "opt-out," or take action to stop the sharing?
• Some websites display the logo of TRUSTe, an organization that promotes the disclosure of information practices and reviews and audits its members' privacy practices for compliance.
• While such an endorsement may be comforting, there is no substitute for doing your own homework when surfing the Internet.
• Recognize the "red flags" including requests for your password, Social Security number and checking account number. Legitimate websites do not ask for this information.
• Be alert for "billing error" scams where fraudulent website operators pose as your Internet Service Provider (ISP) or another common vendor and request that you "reconfirm" account information.
• Shopping websites should not require your credit card number until you have selected and confirmed your purchases.

Finally, remember that giving information to online surveys, contests and chat rooms today can lead to unwanted e-mail — "spam"— tomorrow.

Understand that websites collect information with your knowledge, as well as without. Certain Web sites deposit a "cookie," or a text block of information, on the hard drive of your computer. When you revisit the site, that cookie will act as an identifier to let the Web site know that you are back.

Cookies may be used to tell Web site businesses and their advertisers about your preferences, such as the type of music you order online.

You may set your computer to alert you when a Web site is trying to deposit a cookie, or you may refuse to accept any cookies.

Be forewarned that the practice of depositing cookies is widespread, and if you decline cookies, you will deny yourself entry to many Web sites.

To control cookies in Netscape, go to"Edit-Preferences-Advanced." Other Internet gateways also offer ways to control cookies.

* Do your business with the largest, most established online auction services. They are more likely to have invested their money and reputation in services to protect buyers and sellers, and to have established orderly procedures for resolving disputes.

* Use Credit Cards, not checks or money orders, so that failed purchases may be disputed.

* Give your credit card number only after you have thoroughly checked the business or auction seller through multiple sources—not just the Internet—and have verified a physical "brick and mortar" address as well as a telephone number.

* If unavailable, check the Web site's homepage for reference to the Internet Service Provider (ISP), the business that "hosts" the Web site. If the seller does not accept credit cards, consider PayPal, Western Union, Billpoint, or other online payment services.

Use every "consumer protection" service offered by the Web site business or auction. These include escrow, insurance, authentication services for collectibles and verification and rating of auction participants. The extra cost charged for some of these services is well worth it!

Do your homework. Be sure you understand what you're bidding on, its approximate value and all terms and conditions of the sale, including the seller's return policies and who pays for the shipping.

Establish your top price and stick to it.

Check comments made on sites by previous buyers and make sure to get the seller's name, address and telephone number. Verify this information through an online telephone directory.

Don't bid on an item you don't intend to buy. Remember that if you are the highest bidder, you are obligated to follow through with the transaction.

When bidding, don't give out personal information like your Social Security number, driver's license number or bank account.

Save all your transaction information.

Use filtering software,which can be downloaded from many ISP's for free, in order to screen out adult content, hate speech and other objectionable material. Filtering software may also be purchased.

Find out where they go, by viewing your internet browser's history. Information that is tracked includes the title of the web page, the website address, the time the site was visited and the number of times it was visited.

Keep tabs on their "virtual friends."Ask your child about their use of free e-mail and instant messages, two ways that children communicate with their friends privately, outside the scrutiny of the family's household e-mail address. Make sure that their e-mail and screen names bear no resemblance to the family e-mail address or to their names. Their personal profile, which may be viewed by strangers, should be left blank. Ask to see a list of the child's message "buddies," and find out with whom your child communicates.

Raise a smart consumer. Children should learn that private information they leave at a Web site when registering, entering contests and completing surveys might be used to help businesses sell more products to children like themselves. Along with your child, learn about the products promoted by the Web site offering free e-mail, as well as the Web site's privacy policy.

Begin by sending a complaint to the offending Web site, but don't stop there. Contact the Web site's ISP, often identified at the bottom of the homepage, as well as your own ISP company. Report Web site and auction credit card fraud to your credit card company. You may also wish to contact the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) to report potential legal violations. Go to www.ftc.gov, or call toll free at: 877-382-4357.

If you suspect deception or fraud in your dealings with individuals and businesses on the Internet, you may write to the Office of Consumer Protection, Division of Consumer Affairs, P.O. Box 45025, Newark, New Jersey 07101 or you can call 973-504-6200, or if outside New Jersey, 800-242-5846, and ask for a complaint form. You may download a complaint form at: https://www.njconsumeraffairs.gov/Pages/File-a-Complaint-old.aspx.

Page Last Updated: 11/12/2019 8:59:00 AM