Look for signs a site is secure, such as a closed padlock on the browser’s status bar, before making your purchase.  When you put in your credit card information make sure the website’s URL address changes from http to shttp or https.  That indicates the information is encrypted or secured.  Sadly, however, even the most secure website can be hacked so you may want to use gift cards for online purchases rather than your own credit or debit cards.  If anything goes wrong your cards are safe.  Just save the gift cards you used in case of returns. 

For more *Shopping Safety Tips,* go to Crime Prevention 101

[subscribe2]