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Step 1
Shop with retailers that you know. Start out using the online shopping pages of retailers with whom you shop in their stores, such as Sears or JCPenney. After you have a few good, safe experiences with no problems, you may feel safer trying a retailer that is not located in your town, or buying directly from a manufacturer to save big bucks.
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Step 2
Look for a consumer safety message or other information about Internet safety on the homepage of the place you are thinking of purchasing from. Often, you just need to click on an icon that says "secure ordering," or "privacy statement," to read about the measures that company takes to protect your information
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Step 3
Order from a company that also provides you a street address and phone number if you need to contact them. If you have any doubts before ordering, then call them and see if they can reassure you. Many companies will take your order over the phone after you have browsed their website. You'll probably feel safe completing the order online once this avenue has produced positive results.
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Step 4
Realize how easy it would be for a waiter to copy your credit card information when he takes your credit card away from the table to process your payment. A very small percentage of waiters may do this, and lose their jobs quickly. The same number of people may steal your info online.
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Step 5
Know that there are many ways for thieves to steal your identity and take your money. Use the same kinds of sensible precautions when shopping online as you do walking through a busy shopping mall and you will be fine.
