Exclusive works of art and gifts. Visit The Franklin Mint. But many consumers still harbor reservations about sharing private data over the Internet. Three quarters of voters in our November National Debate said the convenience of shopping online isn't worth the risk that personal information may not be secure. It's obvious to anyone who sees them when they buy clothes in a store, of course.
Consumers remain especially wary when it comes to giving out credit-card data.
New research reveals that nearly 7 in 10 consumers believe it's safer to pay for online purchases with checks or money orders. But for the first six months of 1999, more than 4,750 complaints of online fraud stemmed from check or money order purchases, as opposed to fewer than 110 from credit-card purchases, says the National Consumers League. It's at least as safe as, if not safer than, handing off your credit card to another person or giving your card number over the phone. Companies are acting to calm consumers' fears. Many e-tailers now flash padlock icons to reassure shoppers that transactions are safe.