If you're trying to avoid crowded malls for your Christmas shopping, try shopping on the Internet. Smith lists some tips for safe shopping online. Prices vary considerably. If you don't want your buying habits known, protect your privacy. When you request information from a Web site, you leave behind a digital trail of valuable information about yourself.
Companies are eager to get that information.
Look for a clearly stated privacy policy on the site you use. Guard against fraud. It appears to be most common at online auction sites. But don't assume fraud is limited to auction sites. Pay by credit card or buy from a seller that will hold money in an escrow account until your purchase arrives in satisfactory condition.