Good deals, convenience and choices abound on the Internet. But before you use all the Internet has to offer, be "cyber" smart to make the most of your online experience.

Security on the Internet

Shopping online offers lots of benefits that you won’t find shopping in a store or by mail. The Internet is always open -- seven days a week, 24 hours a day -- and bargains can be numerous online. Shopping on the Internet is no less safe than shopping in a store or by mail. Keep the following tips in mind to help ensure that your online shopping experience is a safe one.

• Use a secure browser. This is the software you use to navigate the Internet. Your browser should comply with industry security standards, such as Secure Sockets Layer (SSL). These standards encrypt or scramble the purchase information you send over the Internet, ensuring the security of your transaction. Most computers come with a browser already installed. You also can download some browsers for free over the Internet.

• Shop with companies you know. Anyone can set up shop online under almost any name. If you’re not familiar with a merchant, ask for a paper catalog or brochure to get a better idea of their merchandise and services. Also, determine the company’s refund and return policies before you place your order. These should be posted on the company's website.

• Keep your password(s) private. Be creative when you establish a password, and never give it to anyone. Avoid using a telephone number, birth date, or a portion of your Social Security number. Instead, use a combination of numbers, letters and symbols.

• Pay by credit or charge card. If you pay by credit or charge card online, your transaction will be protected by the Fair Credit Billing Act. Under this law, you have the right to dispute charges under certain circumstances and temporarily withhold payment while the creditor is investigating them. In the event of unauthorized use of your credit or charge card, you generally would be held liable only for the first $50 in charges. Some companies offer an online shopping guarantee that ensures you will not be held responsible for any unauthorized charges made online, and some cards may provide additional warranty, return and/or purchase protection benefits.

• Keep a record. Be sure to print a copy of your purchase order and confirmation number for your records. Also, you should know that the federal Mail/Telephone Order Merchandise Rule covers online orders. This means that unless the company states otherwise, your merchandise must be delivered within 30 days; and if there are delays, the company must notify you.

• Pay your bills online. Some companies let you pay bills and check your account status online. Before you sign up for any service, evaluate how the company is securing your financial and personal information. Many companies explain their security procedures on their websites. If you don’t see a security description, call or E-mail the company and ask.

Privacy on the Internet

Technology now provides companies with the ability to collect information about you and potentially give or sell that information to others. While the Internet can serve as a tremendous resource for information, products and services, you should be sure to safeguard your privacy online by following these tips.

• Keep your personal information private. Don’t disclose personal information -- such as your address, telephone number, Social Security number or E-mail address -- unless you know who is collecting the information, why they are collecting it and how they will use it. If you have children, teach them to check with you before giving out personal -- or family -- information online.

• Look for a company’s online privacy policy. Many companies post their privacy policies on their websites. This policy should disclose what information is being collected on the website and how that information is being used. Before you provide a company with personal information, check its privacy policy. If you can’t find a policy, send an E-mail or written message to the website to ask about its policy and request that it be posted on the site.

• Make choices. Many companies give you a choice on their websites as to whether and how your personal information is used. These companies allow you to decline -- or “opt out” of -- having personal information, such as your E-mail address, used for marketing purposes or shared with other companies. Look for this choice as part of the company’s privacy policy.

Easy as A-B-C

When exploring online, think A-B-C to remember the privacy and security questions you should ask about a company.

About Me?
What information does the company collect about me, and is it secure?

Benefits?
How does the company use that information, and what is the benefit to me?

Choices?
What choices do I have about the company’s use of information about me? Can I opt out of having information used for other purposes, and how?

For More Information

• American Express Company. View the company’s Privacy Statement, which provides a full description of website security, information collection and use, and how to decline E-mail offers. American Express also offers an Online Shopping Guarantee, which ensures that when you use the American Express Card online, you will not be held responsible for any unauthorized charges.

• Call For Action Inc. (CFA). CFA is an international, nonprofit network of consumer hotlines affiliated with local broadcast partners. The “ABCs of Privacy,” which describes how consumers can protect their personal privacy online, can be accessed at the CFA website. You also can contact Call For Action at 5272 River Road, Suite 300, Bethesda, MD, 20816; Phone: (301) 657-8260.
   
• The Federal Citizen Information Center (FCIC). FCIC publishes the Consumer Information Catalog, which lists more than 200 publications from a variety of federal agencies. You can access the catalog and its full-text entries at the FCIC website. You also can request a hard-copy of the catalog via the website or by calling at 888-8-PUEBLO (that's 888-878-3256).

• The Direct Marketing Association (DMA). The DMA is a trade association of catalogers, financial services firms, publishers, book and music clubs, online service companies and others involved in direct and database marketing. The DMA's Consumer Line acts as an intermediary between consumers and companies to resolve complaints. Contact the DMA’s Consumer Line at 1111 19^th Street, NW, Suite 1100, Washington, D.C. 20036, or by E-mail at consumer@the-dma.org.

• The Federal Trade Commission (FTC). The FTC’s Bureau of Consumer Protection strives to protect consumers against unfair, deceptive or fraudulent practices. The FTC publishes brochures on topics such as automobiles, credit, health and fitness, investments, products, services and telemarketing. You can access the FTC’s library of consumer publications via the Internet. You also can contact the FTC at: Consumer Response Center, Federal Trade Commission, Washington, D.C. 20580; or toll-free at 877-FTC-HELP; or TDD: (202) 326-2502.

Compiled by American Express in cooperation with Call For Action, the Consumer Information Center and the Direct Marketing Association. Information was prepared with the assistance of the Federal Trade Commission. This document may be reproduced for nonprofit educational purposes. If you would like to order hard copies of this brochure, please send your request to American Express, P.O. Box 4635, Trenton, NJ 08650-9874.

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