Avoiding Information Highwaymen

The phenomenal growth of online shopping has offered unparalleled convenience to consumers, but it is also proving a boon for “information highwaymen” seeking to steal your identity. Here are some tips to help avoid them:

• Before purchasing online, make sure the site has a secure server to encrypt your transaction. Secure pages will begin with "https" rather than "http" and will often display a small locked lock on the browser window.
• Not sure if the site is secure? Shop somewhere else, or place your order by mail or by phone.
• Make sure that the site displays a TRUSTe or BBBonline seal, which certifies that minimum privacy and ethical business standards are being met.