Internet shopping offers many benefits. These include opportunities to save time and money, greater choice, the convenience of shopping when you like and having goods delivered. There is also the powerful ability to find and compare information, products and prices.
Internet shopping is at least as safe as shopping in a store or by phone, so there is no need for anyone to miss out on the benefits it can provide.
	Shopping online is safe if you use your common sense and always check the terms and conditions of offers. When you buy online from a Europeon retailer, you have even more consumers' rights than when you buy in a shop
	Ensure the site you are buying from provides a street address and a non-mobile telephone number, not just an email address. If in doubt, email or phone the store before giving them your payment card details to reassure yourself that it is legitimate
	Check that the spelling of the website you are visiting is accurate - 'typo-squatters' have been known to trick the unwary away from genuine sites
	Make sure your shopping will be delivered in time! Good stores will advise you of delivery time scales and guarantee a delivery time. Even so, it makes sense to shop early and build in some extra time to avoid disappontment. Many stores will also arrange delivery to an alternative address (as opposed to the credit card billing address) such as your workplace, a store, a Post Office, or directly to the recipient of your gift - saving you even more time
	Never discolse your credit card's PIN to anyone, including people claiming to be from your bank or the police, and NEVER send it over the internet
	Always keep a record of every online transaction as proof of order. Always print off a copy of the orders summary page as well as the order confirmation page - which may only provide the order number with no specific details of the goos ordered
	Only give your payment card details over a secure connection, and never by email. Be aware of the security features available both on the retailer's website and on your own browser. Only trade with companies that have an encryption certificate and use secure transaction technology. During checkout, look for a closed padlock symbol at the bottom of the screen and / or the site address changing from http//?? to https://?? which indicate that the communication between you and the retailer is encrypet and therefore confidential. While your are on a 'secure page' (i.e when the padlock is visible) you can right click to view security information about the page. But remember that website security depends on ALL of the processes the retailer puts in place to protect you. If in doubt, there are always plenty of other great online stores to visit. The Government has launched a 'Get Safe Online' campaign which provides consumers and businesses with hints and tips on safe use of the internet and how to protect your PC. Their website, at www.getsafeonline.org, is a valuable source of information and is regularly updated