8 ways to feel safe shopping online

Online safety and security is an issue for everyone. While Internet shopping can be fun, convenient and practical, there are bad guys out there looking for ways to rip you off. It's a little scary, but there are ways to insure a safe shopping experience. Just like you wouldn't walk down an unlit street alone in a strange city, you shouldn't assume that an Internet store is safe. Here are 8 things to look for when you shop at an online store for the first time:

1. Store Policies: Is the shipping policy and return policy easy to find? As a consumer, it's your responsibility to read these policies and decide if you're comfortable with them, but a store that doesn't state these policies clearly should be avoided. Also look for FAQ's (Frequently Asked Questions).
   
2. Contact Information: There should be (at bare minimum) an email contact form. Personally, I don't buy from any store that refuses to display a phone number and an email address.
3. Privacy and Security statements: A store that collects credit card information is required to post a Privacy statement and a Security statement. These statements should tell you how they handle your sensitive information. You should avoid any store that doesn't clearly state that they will not sell your email address. No one wants to end up on a SPAM list.
   
4. 3rd party reviews: Many online stores display testimonials and rave reviews from happy customers, but the webmaster or store owner could have written these. Look for 3rd party reviews that can't be manipulated by the store owner. Ratepoint is a good place to start. You can also look for...
5. Consumer Complaint websites: Pissed Consumer and Complaints Board both have a search feature and you should read what people are saying about some of these Internet stores, no wonder people are hesitant to shop online! One lingerie store, for example, has 43 complaints on Complaints Board and more than 60 pissed off customers at Pissed Consumer.
6. Security Seals: Any store that offers a shopping cart should also have Secure Socket Layering or SSL. This technology encrypts your personal data so a hacker can't steal it. Geotrust is one example of an SSL seal.
7. HTTPS and the"padlock" symbol: If you get as far as checkout, be sure to look at your address bar at the top of the page. A secure store will display https:// at the start of any URL where you are asked to enter personal information, as well as a little padlock symbol. This tells you the SSL is working.
8. Product Reviews: The store is safe, how do you know you'll love the products? Do your research on product review websites like Buzzillions, Bizrate or Consumer Search. For fashion advice and ideas try Kaboodle, Stylehive or Stylefeeder.

The best advice is: when in doubt, don't do it. Don't enter your name, email address and especially your credit card information anywhere that you don't feel 100% safe. Pick up the phone and call the store to place your order by phone. Any store that can't or won't take your order by phone is no place you want to shop.

You can shop at Oh Cheri! with complete confidence. Because we shop online ourselves, we work hard to be certain you feel safe and, more importantly, that you ARE safe. Our policies are stated clearly and you can contact us by phone, email, fax and snail mail. And if you like the fluffy robe in the photo, you can buy it now on clearance for only $39.96 with free USA ground shipping.