Ask Our Expert

Shopping online

Dear Chris, I’m hoping to save a bit of time (and money!) this year by buying all my Christmas presents online.

Is shopping online fairly safe? Is there anything particular I need to be aware of?

Best wishes,

Sophia, via email on 16 November 2009

Our expert says...

Shopping online is a great way to find the best deals on gifts and reduce the hassle of Christmas shopping.

More than 32 million of us now shop online, and online shoppers are set to spend 15% more this December than last year, according to trade body The UK Cards Association.

While online card fraud is a risk, you should be fairly safe shopping online as long as you take reasonable care to protect your details.

The UK Cards Association offers the following top tips for staying safe online:

1. Keep your PC protected

Having up-to-date and reliable anti-virus and firewall software is essential when protecting yourself from online fraud.

Using a phishing filter can also help to protect your transactions by checking each website against phishers who attempt to fraudulently acquire information such as passwords and credit card details.

Remember to regularly update your virus definitions so that you’re always protected against emerging threats.

Read our guides to online security at Broadbandchoices.co.uk

2. Look for the padlock symbol

The Padlock symbol (see above) is a good indication that the website you are on is reputable. The URL should also start with “https” if the website is secure. It’s especially important to look for these things if you are buying from a website for the first time.

3. Register your cards

MasterCard SecureCode and Verified by Visa are online payment systems that make online card transactions more secure.

Once you have registered for one of the two systems, the individual password you choose will have to be entered in addition to the normal card details in order to complete any online transaction at participating online stores.

You should register your card when prompted during a transaction – it’s quick, easy and makes online shopping even safer.

4. Always log out

If you sign in to a website to make a purchase, make sure you logout when you are done. You should also print out or save your confirmation email as a record of your order.

Earn while you spend

If you follow these tips, there’s no reason you shouldn’t do all your Christmas shopping online with confidence.

And as you’re likely to be paying for your Christmas presents on card, it’s definitely worth looking into getting a cashback or reward credit card.

With one of these, you’ll earn hard cash or rewards every time you spend. So, as well as treating your friends and family, you can earn a treat for yourself too!

Compare cashback and reward credit cards