Outlet Retail Shopping Center Channel

Shopping online with your credit card is fraught with risk and you should take extreme care while doing so. Below are some tips you must ensure that you follow while surfing the Web and visiting ecommerce sites.

Avoid Online Transactions
While it is un-avoidable at times, try to minimize risks at all quarters and use your credit card sparingly. If you see yourself using your card frequently, then avoid using a credit card with unlimited credit. Keep a card especially for online shopping. It should have a low spending limit which will reduce financial losses if the card details are ever abused or if they fall into the wrong hands.

Check for the Padlock
At the bottom right of your browser, you should see a small lock closed shut. If it is open or you don't see, avoid using your credit card on that site. Padlocked sites are secure since they normally use 128 bit encryption.

Transact Only at Reputed Sites
If you are an online rookie, avoid using your card online. Ask friends for referrals and only shop at reputed sites. Amazon, e-Bay, MSN, Yahoo, PayPal are some of the good sites, even so, no one can give you a 100% guarantee that your credit card details are completely secure.

Check Other Details of the Site
Does the site honour the distance selling law which means it offers a cooling off time, a confirmation of your order and precise information about what you have ordered and when you have done so? What does the site do with all the information you have submitted to it? Scour the site and read the fine print minutely before your surrender your credit card details. You must remember to check if the site is a part of TrustUK which ensures it is following standard security norms.

Avoid Offers that are Too Good to be True
If something looks to good to be true, it normally is. If a site offers you an incredible holiday, a free car, or a free anything, in exchange for your credit card details for 'verification purposes', then it's a scam. Exercise extreme caution if any site, popup or popunder requests your credit card details. Once they get hold of your personal details, there is no saying what will happen next.

Run a Virus Check before Using your Card
The danger may lurk offline in your PC itself! Key loggers, trojans, worms, spyware and all sorts of ugly nasty codes may be lurking in your computer. They transmit your information to hackers who are just waiting to abuse your credit card details. So invest in a good anti-virus software as well as a reputed anti-spyware, update it regularly, and always scan your computer before using your card online.

By following these recommendations and using your judgement you should be able to minimise risk when you shop online.

Matthew Lloyd writes for About Your Money. His articles provide users with useful advice on a variety of financial products, including credit cards. To find About Your Money visit www.aboutyourmoney.co.uk

If you have found this lens interesting, useful, or informative, please lensroll us, vote for us, add a comment, email this lens to your friends, or add us to your favorites.

Shopping Guide for the Man Who Hates Shopping

The differences between men and women are rarely more apparent then when it comes to shopping for clothing. Women relish in the experience while guys can't wait for it to end. The whole process of trying on sizes, picking colors, and walking around the store is detested by most men. Usually they will buy on impulse, to hasten their exit from the store. The result is a poorly assembled wardrobe.

Ten years ago guys didn't have any other option than to go through the process described above. Luckily, this isn't the case today. With the internet, there are MANY options for every level of shopper; whether they are looking for bargains, luxury items, or luxury items for a bargain.

The sole caveat to shopping on the internet is that you need to know your size. Most sites that sell clothing have detailed sizing charts you can use to see if a particular item will fit. To best know your size, go to a local tailor shop and have them measure you. Be thorough; the most important is your chest, waist, hips, arms, neck, and inseam. You can later match these up to the size scales on the web.

Almost every label you can buy at the mall or in a department store is now online. J. Crew, Banana Republic, L.L. Bean, Ralph Lauren and Nike are all easily available on their own websites. Each has a liberal return policy also, so no need to worry about getting stuck with items that don't fit.

Otherwise, the internet is great for getting luxury apparel at bargain basement prices. Do a search on eBay for Kiton or Borrelli and find these $4,000 suits selling for only a quarter of the price. Likewise www.yoox.com and www.bluefly.com offer up to 80% off on designer sportswear, as well as tailored clothing. You can even get custom shirts done cheap at www.bestcustomshirt.com or www.landsend.com. There are limitless opportunities for great deals online.

The best thing about shopping on the internet is that you don't even have to leave your house or office. You can double your wardrobe for a fraction of the money and time. Needless to say, you'll probably end up look more stylish than ever without having the hassle of traditional shopping...

Stephen Nash
Cutting Edge Image Consulting
http://www.ceimageconsulting.com

Stephen Nash of Cutting Edge Image Consulting (CEIC) is author of the book How to Get A Girlfriend: The Seven Essential Skills for Attracting the Woman of Your Dreams and Natural Attraction, 7 CD Audio course on image enhancement and dating for men. Learn how to become a man that's magnetically attractive to women of exceptional quality and how to build positive and healthy relationships through charisma and self-image enhancement.