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Christmas celebrations cannot be complete without parties and gifts. Indeed, the last few months of the year are always the busiest time for consumers and merchants alike.

Many consumers today prefer to do their shopping through the internet, not just because it’s more convenient but to enjoy huge savings as well. Online retailers can afford to sell at a lower price and to offer bigger discounts since their overhead costs are much less than merchants who sell from a store location.

However, people who shop online should take all the necessary precautions to avoid being a victim of fraud, scams and ID theft. Consider the following tips on how you can use your credit card safely when doing your Christmas shopping online:

Check the URL.

A genuine merchant must use a secured website that uses at least 128-bit SSL (Secure Sockets Layers) technology. A secured website begins with the URL https:// instead of the usual http:// on regular websites.

Do not respond to spam marketing emails.

Your inbox might be filled with a lot of offers from different merchants online especially this holiday season. If you did not subscribe to receive updates from a particular merchant and yet you still receive offers in your emails, the best thing to do is delete the messages immediately. Don’t open it up as you might be tempted to check out the offer. Remember, legitimate online sellers do not send unsolicited emails.

Type the website address.

Scammers can create “phishing sites” which can look very similar to the original. Instead of clicking a link from an email, it is safer to manually type the URL of an online shop in the address bar of your browser. Thus, you can be sure that you will be directed to the real website, not a fake one.

Check the merchant’s Privacy Policy.

Don’t forget to read the seller’s Privacy Policy so you can be sure that your information will not be used without your consent or sold to a third party. The Privacy Policy should be easily found from the seller’s website.

Know the merchant’s policy on Returns and Refunds.

The seller’s Terms and Conditions should be clearly stipulated from its website. You should know your rights and limits as a customer particularly when it comes to matters of disputes.

Check your credit card Agreement.

Most credit card companies offer their customers liability protection. Some issuers offer $0 liability on unauthorized charges but some issuers may have a different policy which is why it’s important to review your own credit card’s Terms and Conditions before using it to shop online.

Check your credit card bill.

Don’t forget to examine your statement of account as soon as you receive it. This is a crucial step especially if you recently used your credit card to shop online. Sometimes, errors may reflect on your bill or there might even be unauthorized charges. If you notice unfamiliar transactions, call up your issuer right away. Thus, you won’t have to pay for charges you do not owe.

