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Safer online shopping guide

Shopping online need not be a worry. By following our guide you can significantly reduce the risks of something going wrong, and we can offer advice on what to do if things do go wrong. You may also find our guide “internet security and how to protect yourself” useful.

Security
The biggest concern that most online shoppers have, is the security of their details and what happens to them. The easiest way to allay your concerns is to shop with reputable brands. Don’t assume that if they don’t have a renowned presence on the high street that they cannot be trusted, as some of the best internet retailers such as Amazon.co.uk do not have a high street presence.  

When you are entering your credit/debit card details ensure that the server is encrypted. There are two ways you can check this, firstly the web address will start with “https://”, rather than the standard “http://”, with the letter ‘s’ which means secure server. The second sign that you are on a secure server is that the will be a small padlock symbol displayed somewhere in your browser. The position of this symbol varies depending upon the browser type and version that you have, but normally it would appear at the bottom right hand side (above and to the left of your clock), or somewhere beside the address bar (the section that you type website address’ into).  

If the server you are on is encrypted (also know as a secure server), this is a security measure designed to stop hackers gaining access to secure information (eg your credit/debit card number). I would advise that you do not make any purchases from a none secure server.  

Your rights
By shopping online you not only beat the queues in the shops, but you also get the same rights as you would if you were buying from the shops, as well as some additional rights. When you buy from the high street or online you are protected by the ‘ Sale of goods act’, and when you shop online you are also protected by “Distance selling regulations”;  

In brief, the sale of goods act states that the products you buy must;

• safe for use and of satisfactory quality

• not be damaged or defective (unless you were advised of this prior to your purchase)

• be fit for the purpose it was intended

• be as it was described by the seller

• last for a reasonable period of time

Under the distance selling regulations, online retailers must;

• offer clear and  concise information about the goods or services up front

• give written confirmation of your order (such as invoice or email)

• offer a cooling off period where by you can obtain a full refund within 7 days of the goods having been delivered.

• offer a full refund if the goods do not arrive by the agreed date (if no date is agreed then there is an assumed 30 day delivery period)

Further Advice
When shopping online it is advised that you pay for purchases on a credit card (rather than a debit card) as UK laws protect credit card users far more than what they otherwise would be.

Always print a copy of the invoice as a reference in case something goes wrong.  

Before you click the last button to confirm the transaction, ensure that the prices and delivery costs are what you thought they were, and that no extra costs have been added.  

Before you make a purchase, check the retailers after sales policy, and remember, this policy is in addition to your statutory rights.

For more information on consumer rights go to www.consumerdirect.gov.uk.