Are you a safe online shopper

Are you a safe online shopper? Safe online shopping habits can help protect you from becoming a victim of serious crimes like credit card fraud and identity theft. Take the following safe shopping quiz to see if your online habits are helping to keep your personal and financial information safe.

When shopping online, which form of payment do you use?
(A) Credit card
(B) Debit card
Do you shop around for websites that have the best deals or do you stick to sites that you know and trust?
(A) I only buy from websites that I know well.
(B) I shop around for the best deal.
Do you ever shop online from free, public Wi-Fi hotspots?
(A) No, never.
(B) Yes, sometimes.

How you measure up

If you answered mostly A’s

Congratulations you are a safe online shopper! You know what it takes to protect yourself online and against credit card fraud. Identity theft and credit card fraud are growing crimes in America and you need to take extra precautions to protect yourself, especially when shopping online and giving out personal financial information.

If you answered mostly B’s

You may be at risk for online identity theft or credit card, but don’t panic. The financial experts at Money Management International offer tips and suggestions on how you can better safeguard your identity.

When shopping online, which form of payment do you use?

Safest choice: Credit card

Paying with a credit card is the safest choice when shopping online. The Fair Credit Billing Act (FCBA) protects consumers whose credit cards have been used without their authorization by limiting the amount they are responsible to pay to only $50. Check your credit card statements carefully, especially after making an online purchase. If you notice a discrepancy and believe that your card was used without your consent, remember that the FCBA gives you the right to dispute charges under certain circumstances and temporarily withhold payment from the creditor while an investigation of the unauthorized charges is taking place.

Do you shop around for websites that have the best deals or do you stick to sites that you know and trust?

Safest choice: Shopping on sites you know well

The safest way to shop online is with retailers that you know and trust. While some sites that offer good deals are legitimate, others are scams. If you choose to shop with an online retailer that you do not know well, make sure their contact information is valid, the site is secure, and you understand the purchase, shipping, and return policies.

Do you ever shop online from free, public Wi-Fi hotspots or Internet cafés?

Safest choice: Never shopping over public wireless networks

Sending sensitive information over public wireless networks can put you at risk for identity theft or credit card fraud by exposing your information to hackers. It’s best to do your shopping from a secure location.

Now, try taking the full quiz: Are you a safe online shopper?