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Indiana Attorney General Steve Carter is encouraging holiday shoppers to check product recall lists and to educate themselves on how to avoid scams and fraud when they shop, especially this time of the year when people are in a rush to find the best deals.
"The holiday shopping season can be fast-paced and full of activities, but this is when it is most important to keep our guard up against potential scammers," Carter said. "Online shopping continues to be very popular, as are gift cards. While the convenience and wide variety of merchandise that the Internet offers is appealing, it is crucial that shoppers can spot red flags that can tip them off to a potential scam."
While shopping online can be just as safe as shopping in a traditional store or by mail, the attorney general's office reports it receives an increase in the complaints involving problems with Internet purchases during holiday seasons.
Computer and video games are always popular gifts. More than 50 percent of these games are sold during the holiday shopping season, so it is important shoppers make sure the games they give to young people are age and content-appropriate.
Carter offers the following tips:
--Check the Entertainment Software Rating Board rating before purchasing computer or video games as gifts online at www.theesa.com. The ESRB ratings are designed to provide information about the game content, so consumers can make informed purchase decisions.
--Research vendors and personal sellers before making any online purchases. Confirm an online seller's physical address and phone number in case you need to get in touch with them. If you get an e-mail or pop-up message from the seller while you're browsing that asks for financial information, don't reply or click on the link in the message. Legitimate companies do not ask for this information via e-mail or pop-ups.
--Know what you're getting. Read the seller's description of the product closely, especially the fine print. Words like "refurbished," "vintage," or "close-out" may indicate that the product is in less-than-mint condition. Name-brand items with "too good to be true" prices could be counterfeits.
--Calculate the costs. Check out Web sites that offer price comparisons and then compare "apples to apples." Factor shipping and handling into the total cost of the order and evaluate this final, complete cost against your budget and needs.
--Carefully choose payment methods. Be certain the Web site is secure and be suspicious if the seller states you can only pay by a money transfer service, such as Western Union, as it is difficult to track someone down without a paper trail. Do not send cash under any circumstances.
--Consider using an online payment service, such as PayPal, or a credit card, which protects transactions under the Fair Credit Billing Act. Many companies do not hold consumers responsible for unauthorized charges made online, and some card issuers may provide additional warranty, return and/ or purchase protection benefits. Regardless of your payment method, always insist upon a receipt for your purchase.
--Maintain a paper trail. Print and save records of your online transactions, including the product description and price, the online receipt, and copies of any e-mails you exchange with the seller. Read your credit card statements as you receive them to be on the lookout for unauthorized charges.
--Check a company's privacy policy before doing business with it. A company should allow you to know what personal information its Web site operators are collecting, why and how it will be used. If you can't find a privacy policy -- or if you cannot understand it -- consider taking your business to another site that's more security-conscious and accommodating to customers.
Carter also urges people to check your gift list with the national Recalled Products listings that can be found at www.indianaconsumer.com.
It is illegal to sell a recalled product in Indiana.
To see more of The News-Sentinel, or to subscribe to the newspaper, go to http://www.FortWayne.com. Copyright (c) 2008, The News-Sentinel, Fort Wayne, Ind. Distributed by McClatchy-Tribune Information Services. For reprints, email tmsreprints@permissionsgroup.com, call 800-374-7985 or 847-635-6550, send a fax to 847-635-6968, or write to The Permissions Group Inc., 1247 Milwaukee Ave., Suite 303, Glenview, IL 60025, USA.
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