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Ten tips for online holiday shopping

From Wisconsin Better Business Bureau

MILWAUKEE — More than 40 percent of Americans say they’ll shop online this year, and Forrester Research predicts that online holiday spending will soar 27 percent this year, to almost $145 billion. Whether you’re buying from an online retailer, auction site, or travel agency, the Wisconsin Better Business Bureau (BBB) wants you to keep these shopping tips in mind:

1. Shop only at Internet merchants you know and trust; if in doubt, check with the Better Business Bureau            (www.wisconsin.bbb.org).

2. Beware of e-mails offering cut-rate prices on popular toys, software, or other gifts; if the offer sounds too good to be true, it probably is.

3. If you receive an unsolicited e-mail from an Internet merchant, don't click on the links within it. Instead, locate the merchant's website address through a reputable search engine.

4. Check Internet merchants' refund policies; some merchants set a deadline for returns or charge a fee for accepting returned merchandise.

5. Pay with a credit or debit card; for extra protection, enroll your card in anti-fraud programs like Verified by Visa.  

6. Never share your passwords with anyone, and use different passwords for different websites.

7. Protect your private information. When shopping online, look for the retailer’s website-privacy policy, and never provide your Social Security number, birth date, or mother's maiden name.

8. Ensure that your computer has the latest anti-virus software installed before shopping online.

9. Always print and save the confirmation page when completing an online purchase.

10. Don't wait for paper statements. Check your credit-card and bank statements for suspicious activity either by calling your bank or by visiting your financial institution’s website.

The Better Business Bureau serving Wisconsin is a nonprofit organization that brings 65 years of experience in fostering ethical business practices, providing dispute resolution alternatives, offering consumer and business education, and promoting customer-service excellence. Reliability reports provide the general public with critical information about both local and national companies. To check on a company or charity, visit www.wisconsin.bbb.org, or call 1-800-273-1002.

For more information or further inquiries, please contact Randall L. Hoth, Wisconsin Better Business Bureau president and CEO, 414-847-6000.