Use caution, know what you're buying when shopping online

Online shopping continues to be popular and experts predict that consumers will spend more online this holiday season than ever. But, shoppers won't be the only ones online--scammers will be there too. The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) and the National Cyber Security Alliance (NCSA) offer the following tips to make online shopping as safe as possible.

Check out the seller. If it's your first time on an unfamiliar site, call the seller's phone number, so you know you can reach them if you need to. If you can't find a working phone number, take your business elsewhere. Read the site's privacy policy to learn how it uses and shares your personal information.

Read return policies. Some retailers give customers extra time so gifts can be returned or exchanged after the holidays; others give purchasers as little as a week--if they accept returns at all. Some may charge a "restocking" fee. Find out whether the customer or the merchant covers the shipping cost on a return or exchange, and if the online purchase can be returned to a brick-and-mortar store.

Know what you're getting. Read the seller's product description closely. Name-brand items at greatly reduced prices could be counterfeit.

Don't fall for a false email or pop-up. Legitimate companies don't send unsolicited email messages asking for your password or login name, or your financial information. But scammers do. In fact, crooks often send emails that look just like they're from legitimate companies--but direct you to click on a link, where they ask for your personal information. Delete these emails. They're an attempt to get your information and to facilitate identity theft or other crimes. In addition, just clicking a link in a fraudulent email could install spyware on your computer.

Look for signs a site is safe. Look for a closed padlock on the browser's status bar before you enter your personal and financial information. When you're asked to provide payment information, the beginning of the website's URL address should change from "http" to "shttp" or "https", indicating that the purchases is encrypted or secured.

Secure your computer. At a minimum, your computer should have anti-virus and anti-spyware software, and a firewall. Security software must be updated regularly to help protect against the latest threats. Set your security software and operating system to update automatically. Visit OnGuardOnline.gov and staysafeonline.org to learn more about security software, firewalls, and other ways to secure your computer.

Know the full price, and check out incentives. If you're looking for the best deal, compare total costs, including shipping and handling. The holiday season is prime time for online retailers, and many are offering incentives like free shipping. But some "free" shipping deals may come with strings attached, such as requirement to spend a minimum amount or buy certain products.

Keep a paper trail. Print and save records of your online transactions, including the product description and price, the online receipt, and copies of any email you exchange with the seller. Read your credit card statements as soon as you get them to make sure there aren't any unauthorized charges.

Turn your computer off when you're finished shopping. Many people leave their computers running 24/7, the dream scenario for scammers who want to install malicious software on your machine and then control it remotely to commit cyber crime. To be extra safe, switch off your computer when you are not using it.