Holiday Shopping Season (NAPSA)—Whether you’re searching for the perfect holiday gift at the mall or on Main Street, security will be top of mind this year. Shopping on the Internet will be no different. Visa and Better Business Bureau OnLineoffer tips to keep yourself safe online. They rec- ommendthat shoppers take specific actions when pur, chasingonline. For starters, shop with retailers who makesecurity a priority. Look for information about the retailer’s security policies that indicates they provide industry-standard levels of security for the storageof financial data. Also, check for a posted privacy policy that reveals what personalinformation will be collected and offers you options on how that information is used. Be careful if asked to provide your bank account number. In addition, always look for written information regarding the merchant’s customersatisfaction policies, the termsof the sale and the full, itemized list of costs. “Being secure means being in control of your environment,” said Ken Hunter, president of the Council of Better Business Bureaus. “And being in control when shopping on the Internetis easier than you might think. Impartial organizations like BBBOnLine (www. bbbonline.org) can help you identify reputable e-tailers and make an informed purchasing decision.” To purchase products online, the BBBsuggests using your payment card. That way, you can take advantage of the wide range of fraud protection andliability limitations that credit and debit card issuers provide today. For example, Visa offers a zero-liability guarantee andis providing a new service called Verified by Visa that allows consumers to create their own passwordsto prevent unauthorized useof their cards while shopping online. The service makesstolen cards useless to criminals at participating Internet merchants. Contact your Visa card issuer or visit www.visa.com/verified for information. One last piece of advice: don’t turn off the computer until you print a record of your transaction. That way, you’ll have all the information at your fingertips in case a question about your order arises. Taking these simple steps will help you enjoy a safer shopping experience online this holiday season.
