For better or worse, most anything you want can probably be found using the resources of the Internet.  But before you send any personal information or money through the Internet, do a little checking first.  Any high-school kid with a library card can create a good-looking web site and become the President of CompanyX.  Unexplainably, people who wouldn't for a moment consider giving their wallet or purse to a total stranger in the grocery store are blithely typing in their credit card and social security numbers, home address, income range etc. to unknown web sites. 

While no amount of checking can guarantee you'll be happy, by using the following checklist you can minimize your chances of getting ripped off. 

1. Check local retail prices first.  There is absolutely no reason to believe that because something is sold via the Internet that it has a reasonable price tag.  Shop smart: Make some local calls first to determine both the item's value, and its cost, before comparing with Internet prices.
   
2. Is there an address and telephone number for the company on the site?  If not, or if it is only a post box number, tracking them down later could be very difficult, if at all possible.  Home-based businesses are historically here today, gone tomorrow.
   
3. "Lowest Prices On The Internet" or other unbelievable, unverifiable claims are certainly red flags.  If they're going to lie to you about this, they'll easily lie about other things.  Because there is no way to prove such an assertion, any other claims regarding returns or 'guarantees' should then be viewed with equal suspicion.  Keep surfing and comparing.
   
4. Secure Transactions are for encrypting personal information.  When a site asks you to enter your credit card number, first be sure that your browser is showing either a closed padlock or an unbroken key in the bottom of your screen.  Or, check the 'Location' window toward the top to make sure that the site address now begins with "https:", not just with "http:". If a merchant hasn't established this most basic security feature, it's roughly the confidential equivalent of sending a post card. Move on to a better, more credible site.
   
5. Use a credit card, never a check or cash.  Many sites encourage you to choose from their pages and then call them to process your credit card order.  Credit card issuers often will assist when a conflict with a merchant arises, and your maximum liability is $50. if your account number is used fraudulently.
   
6. Never give your social security number or your mother's maiden name to a web site (or to a stranger on the phone). 
   
7. Read the Privacy Statement.  If there isn't one, or it isn't sufficient, consider shopping elsewhere.  A merchant should be willing to promise you reasonable confidentiality.
   
8. Check with the Better Business Bureau that serves the  zip code in which the company operates.  Find the appropriate BBB using the zip code search link, below: