Before entering to the world of online shopping, You MUST learn how to avoid the most common scams and stay safe online this holiday season.

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From The Desk Of Ruby Mike

Christmas... that most wonderful time of the year! With a blanket of freshly fallen snow, the smells of chestnuts roasting and cookies baking and the sounds of Christmas carols everywhere; there's magic in the air.

It's also the busiest time of the year with endless things to be done in preparation of this joyous yuletide season. Shopping of course overtakes everything else as the 25th of December draws nearer. Stores at Christmas time are a never-ending scene of shoppers jostling with each other trying to reach out and grab that last toy off the shelf. Though there is a certain thrill to the chase, it can be quite disappointing if you cannot get what you want and it can mean trudging from one store to the next in search of the similar item. Why go through all this when you can easily resort to online shopping from the comfort of your own home. No long lines, no disappointments and no more getting your toes stamped upon in all that mayhem.

The Christmas shopping season is in full swing and there are really only two ways to get those presents you’re searching for:

Wading through the crowds in all of the retail stores

Shopping on the Internet

The Internet has revolutionized the way we do everything, including shopping for Christmas gifts. All you need to do is go online and browse to your heart's content. When you find something you like, you click to order, enter your credit card details and that's it - you're done. Somebody somewhere takes care of the rest and will also deliver your gift to your recipient who could be at the other end of the world.

The Internet has taken its place beside the telephone and television as an important part of people’s lives. Consumers use the Internet to shop, bank and invest online. Most consumers use credit or debit cards to pay for online purchases, but other payment methods, like “e-wallets,” are becoming more common. However, this also provides a perfect opportunity for the scam artists.

Shopping online has become one of the most popular ways of shopping. No longer do people have to drive from store to store, shuffle through crowded aisles, or stand in long lines to pay for their purchases. Online shopping has made it possible for people to shop for almost everything they need from the comfort of their own homes. This method of shopping is safe, convenient, and saves time and money. If you are an online shopper, or are considering becoming an online shopper, knowing these online shopping tips can make your experience even better.

One of the most important online shopping tips is to make sure your transaction is secure. Before entering your payment information, you should look in the bottom, right corner. Here you should see a padlock symbol. You should also see the letters "http" in front of the website's address. These two symbols mean that the page is secure and that the personal information you enter is encrypted and safe from hackers. This is the most important step that you can take for protecting yourself from identity theft.

There are several more online shopping tips that help ensure that your information is secure. Always print a copy of your receipt and track your credit card and bank records. Another great way to protect yourself is to use an online payment processor rather than your personal credit or debit cards. Online payment processors, such as PayPal, protect your information and offer solutions should you find that you have purchased a product that you do not receive. Another way to protect your personal information is to use pre-paid credit cards. Pre-paid credit cards can be loaded and used only once for extra security. As with anything financial, safety is always the top priority.

Another important tip is to be sure you learn what the merchant's cancellation, complaint-handling, and return policies are. Be sure that, if the product is not what you expected, or is damaged during delivery, options are available for replacement or a refund. Online shopping can save you time and money, and offers you the convenience of shopping for almost anything you need from the comfort of your own home. And, if you follow these online shopping tips, and protect yourself from identity theft, online shopping can be safer than shopping in the traditional manner. You can find everything you need, including household products, clothing, and gifts from the comfort of your favorite easy chair

Before entering to the world of online shopping, here are many more tips that will help make the experience easier and safer.This will show you how to avoid the most common scams and stay safe online this holiday season.