INTERNET

Internet Nowadays internet dominates our everyday life to the extent that customers opt to order more and more products online instead of visiting shops. Shoppers can buy all sorts of products online: audio-visual equipment, household equipment, clothes, pharmaceutical products, cosmetics, food. Big online retailers include:

Internet Shopping online is an easy way to shop from the comfort of your home. You just need computer and internet access, it is also required to set up an electronic account. Wide range of products and attractive prices encourage shoppers to buy products online. Just remember- online shopping is not always safe! In particular in case of online shopping sites and payment systems, where EVERYONE can sell a product: many scams take place and sellers often fail to fulfil the transaction conditions and obligations. The purchased item you receive may not be as described by the seller, it may be damaged or may not reach you at all.

So how do we avoid becoming victims of scams? Please find below safety tips for buying online: No 1. Regulations Regulations apply to every online shop and online payment company, and they are binding for both parties- buyers and shoppers. You should make yourself familiar with all the regulations before making any purchases. Normally the regulations will include data protection information, purchase terms and conditions, payment methods and deadlines, delivery options, refund policy- reporting faulty goods, or returning goods. Please remember- making yourself familiar with this information is in your best interest. If the site you would like to buy from has no section with regulations, you should not purchase any goods from them!!! If you shop online using UK online shopping sites and payment systems and you don’t fully understand their regulations, visit our Drop in Centre- we’ll be happy to help.

No 2. Secure computers You need to make sure the computer you are using to make online purchases has updated antivirus software. You should not use unofficial or unsecure public Wi-Fi hotspots which do not require a password. Always use password protected Wi-Fi networks. Data transferred through such Wi-Fi networks is coded, which can help protect your computer from unauthorised access. How can you check this??? Available Wi-Fi networks which are not password protected are marked with a yellow shield icon in the ‘Connect to a Network’ window.

No 3. Safe transactions Every shop and payment company has the obligation to provide safe data transfer for their clients. It applies to the transaction itself, which must be processed through coded websites, and to all types of registration forms which include personal data of clients who set up their accounts when using services of online shops.

When you are filling in an online form requiring you to provide your personal information and there is no PADLOCK SYMBOL shown in the address bar - discontinue shopping immediately!!! The padlock symbol means that a particular webpage has an SSL certificate (Secure Socket Layer), appropriate coding system and a secure connection. It will prevent loss of confidential data, such as your PIN number or your online banking login and password. Google Chrome browser: Mozilla Firefox browser:

Remember – protect your personal data!!! Internet attracts scammers who try to steal personal data they can use for other criminal activities (.i.e. applying for benefits in the UK using someone else’s name). When shopping online, you will normally need just your address and home address where you want the product to be delivered. If someone asks for more details, such as your PESEL number (Polish Personal Identification Number), NINo (in the UK), your mother’s maiden name, or any other detailed information- be careful and never provide this type of data!

No 4. Payment Methods PAYMENT CARDS: credit cards, and chosen debit cards (i.e. Visa Electron): - the most common, simple and convenient payment method; - immediate authorisation and order completion; - you never use PIN numbers for authorisation of online transactions, you only need a CVC2/CVV2 number – a 3 digit code at the top of the signature panel on the back of the credit card. - when you make card payments shops have no access to your details, your card details are sent directly to servers which handle non-cash transactions (so called e-transaction operators)

CHARGEBACK OPTION – card payment refund, so called ‘reverse charge’ is a refund of money from the account of the service provider into the account of the card holder in case of unsuccessful transactions (unreliable, dishonest sellers); according to credit and debit card usage regulations (i.e. Visa, MasterCard) banks are responsible for refunds; if you apply for a refund through your bank you need to give a reason/justification for asking for a refund, a decision shall be made within a maximum of 2 months; the refund process is free.

What you should know: sellers are not allowed to ask for your PIN numbers when you are shopping online; CVC2/CVV2 code is used for securing online transactions; shops never have access to your card number or to your money.

PAYMENT SYSTEMS: PayU, PayPal - payment systems work like virtual wallets; clients registered with a payment system can make payments using a credit card or using their PayU/PayPal credit balance, which you can top up from your personal bank account;

PAYMENT SYSTEMS, cont. - these are free payment systems for buyers, quick, easy, and most of all secure for making online payments; - you need to create an account using your bank details in order to be able to use these services by entering your details such as: name, DOB, address, and then register your bank account or credit card details;

-you need to provide your personal details only once when you set up your PayU/PayPal account; -in order to pay for your purchase you just need to log in using your own confidential password; making payments is really easy- you can do it with just one click;

- the amount due for your purchase is registered on your PayPal account straight after making the payment; both parties (buyer and seller) are immediately informed about the transaction via ; - payment systems are completely safe for clients, the buyer’s financial details are never revealed to the seller (they have access only to your address and delivery address); all sellers who accept payments via PayU/Paypal have been verified; therefore you can be certain that they are who they say they are. - if you paid for an item using an online payment system, if you do not receive the item and if the seller does not solve the problem, you will get a full refund!

Remember! - Avoid making direct bank transfers from your account into the seller’s account, in particular in case of private sellers who advertise their services online and don’t provide contact or address details of their shops, or who don’t use safe payment systems!!!!! -Check the credibility of online shops or payment systems on online forums. It is sometimes useful to read other buyers’ feedback and reviews. -Read all regulations of: shops, transaction portals, payment cards or payment systems; the regulations include all information regarding transactions, and most of all information about timescales. If you miss a timescale, i.e. refund deadline, you will lose your right to receive a refund of your money/goods!

Enjoy your shopping experience!!!! PowerPoint presentation:NS; Translation: AK Reference: personal-information/online-shopping personal-information/online-shopping online online