There are only a few weeks until Christmas or your brother's birthday and you've been pressed for time at the office and at home.You're determined to buy presents online starting this year. After all, a lot of your friends are ordering theirs from the internet and they seem to do so without hitches. Just imagine the presents delivered to your home in the midst of your hectic schedule.

For those who are die-hard online shoppers, it pays to take into consideration several security measures that will ensure you don't lose your money to internet fraudsters, and that you receive your purchases in time for a holiday or birthday.

Website design and safety, as well as seller reputation can tell you about what to expect about the purchase you intend to make. Make sure you buy from reputable sites or individuals. Check their selling history, backgrounds and site security systems. Note the contact numbers and check if they are accessible. As for the items, pick those that are sufficiently described. View the photos, double-check the specs. Call the seller for other questions you may have about the product. Also, before buying, check how they deliver and their refund or return policy.

Shop with your credit/debit card or through reputable online payment services. The Federal Trade Commission warns the public of paying through money wire transfers or depositing directly into a bank account. Also, if you come across it for a sizable purchase, steer clear of sellers requesting for you to use escrow services.

Ignore emails from businesses that appear to be familiar to you (e.g.: a corporate retailer that you have bought from before, or a bank) that ask you to "update," "validate," or "confirm" your account information. Reputable businesses do not send out validation emails. These emails or pop ups are manufactured to get your information fraudulently and use it for deceptive purposes

Because you enter you personal contact information when making online purchases, you may receive unsolicited emails; it is best to ignore these completely. These emails waste time and, for some, money .A number of them have been going around and conning people of their money. They typically appear as foreign lottery winnings and fund transfers, more common scam emails are the Nigerian fund transfers and foreign lotteries.

Craigslist, a free ads site operating worldwide, identifies some warning signals to take note for caution in purchases, job opportunities, and other web-based transactions. Be alert if the interested seller is far away or from another country. If the seller is in your local area, take note when the seller is unable or refuses to meet personally for the transaction.  Birthdays or holidays are times when gifts can bring great joy, and online shopping can help expedite the surprise or excitement of your giving. However, losing your money away to unscrupulous fraudsters brings great distress, especially when you as a shopper thinks the items being purchased, or the information given to make a purchase is safe. You can enjoy the benefits of shopping online, as long as you take simple measures to care for your money and security.

References:

Craigslist.Avoiding Scams and Fraud.

http://www.craigslist.org/about/scams.html

Federal Trade Commission.Online Shopping.

http://www.ftc.gov/onlineshopping/

OnGuard.Online Shopping.

http://www.onguardonline.gov/shopping.html