U nderstand the offer. Look carefully at the information about the products or services offered, and ask for more information, if needed. B e sure you know what is being sold, the total price, the delivery date, the return and cancellation police, and the terms of any guarantee. The federal laws governing telephone and mail order, which also covers orders made by computer, requires goods or services to be delivered by the promised time or, if none was stated, within thirty days. Print out the information so that you have documentation.
C heck out the company's or individual's track record.
Call to check for complaint records with consumer agencies and the Better Business Bureau in your area. But keep in mind that fraud artists can appear and disappear quickly, especially in cyberspace, so lack of a complaint record is no guarantee of legitimacy. N ever give your bank account numbers, credit card numbers or other personal information to anyone you don't know or haven't checked out. And don't provide information that isn't necessary to make a purchase. If you have a choice between using your credit card and mailing cash, cheque or money order, we recommend using a credit card.