| There are not Christmas queues and the weather | | | | store. |
| is dry fine and warm, making your Christmas | | | | When shopping online you inevitably end up at the |
| shopping a more enjoyable experience. | | | | 'check out'. This is the point where the store will |
| ? Leave it until Christmas Eve! The shops are | | | | ask you for your name, postal address and credit |
| desperate by this time and slash they prices | | | | or debit card details. This is the time when credit |
| incredibly. It is a bit of mad dash but all the | | | | card fraud is a danger. |
| Christmas stress is confined to a single 24 hours. | | | | To protect yourself look for a padlock icon in the |
| ? Buy online. Quick and convenient, no queuing, no | | | | status bar at the bottom of the window on the |
| trying to find car parking, no terrible weather. Plus | | | | actual 'check out' page, where the website is |
| many retailers offer discounts for online orders, | | | | asking you to submit your details. This padlock |
| which means you save money too! | | | | mean that this page of the website has a secure |
| Many people are worried about security and credit | | | | connection, so any information that you submit on |
| card fraud when buying online. Of course this is a | | | | this page will not be decipherable to anyone else, |
| worry, nobody wants to be the victim of credit | | | | it will be encrypted. If there is not a padlock, it is |
| card fraud. However, there are some steps you | | | | not a secure connection despite what the actual |
| can take to keep your online shopping experience | | | | web page content may say. |
| as safer transaction as possible. | | | | You can still submit your details, However, you do |
| When buying online, only use reputable retailers. | | | | significantly increase the risk of becoming a victim |
| This maybe a high street retailer who have an | | | | of credit card fraud. |
| online shopping facilities or a large online store. | | | | Our advice would be to contact the website and |
| Maybe a friend has recommended a particular | | | | ask them to provide you with a secure payment |
| website that they have purchased goods from in | | | | page, or shop elsewhere. |
| the past. Some online shops state how long they | | | | However you do your Christmas shopping this |
| have been trading. If a store has been trading | | | | year, Enjoy your experience and keep your card |
| online for a number of years, and is well | | | | details safe. |
| established, this is a good indicator of a reputable | | | | |