The internet - how to buy safely

We are now truly living in the computer age when we can virtually live our lives via a computer terminal.

Through the internet we can now carry on our daily business without leaving our homes. But there may be a price to pay for this convenience.

This leaflet will give you guidelines that will hopefully make your ‘surfing' of the net as painless as possible.

What is the internet?

It is a vast collection of interconnected computer networks. It has been described as the ‘single most complex information entity since the emergence of the human brain'. You are connected via your ‘server' who can be in the same building as you or on the other side of the world.

The dangers of internet shopping

Because you can find almost anything for sale on the internet from all corners of the globe it includes items that won't work in the UK or may even be dangerous or illegal. Video tapes for instance are often cheaper in the USA but unless you have compatible equipment they won't work here. Some items for sale could even land you in jail.

Remember that if you are importing goods from abroad duty and VAT can push up the price. Only imports of less than £18 (including post and packing) are free from duty and VAT. Check with Customs and Excise.

Buying using a credit card

Buying with the use of a credit card can have both benefits and problems. If the goods you buy cost over £100 and you have problems you have the added protection of equal liability under the Consumer Credit Act (although international transactions might not be so straightforward. However if hackers steal your credit card number you are liable for the first £50 lost.

With secure electronic transmission systems in place your card number will only be transmitted over the internet in secure encrypted form. You can tell if a site is secure because it will either tell you in words or the page will show a little padlock, either locked (secure) or open (unsecure).

In reality much more has been written about such problems than has actually happened and many observers have commented that giving a credit card number over the internet is no less secure than giving it over the telephone.

Bear in mind that many companies on the internet may be located in other countries and if you are buying from abroad you might have problems getting the goods or you could have difficulties getting any problems sorted out.

Every internet address has a suffix which may tell you something about the company it belongs to, e.g.

• .com - usually an American address
• .co.uk - a British address

Some specialist agencies have set up ‘online scam alerts' to warn people about problems they might come across.

Top tips

• Make sure it's a secure site before giving credit card details
• Trade with well known companies
• Get an address and phone number not just a email address
• Shop around
• Check for ‘hidden extras'
• Check delivery times if buying from abroad
• Check the policy on returns
• If buying from abroad remember you may need to contact the trader again if you have problems
• Try and buy very expensive items in the UK in case things do go wrong
• Print out the advertisement and any terms and conditions in case of problems

This page was last updated on 17 October 2011