Start with Websites You Know and Trust

The safest way to shop online is to stick with well-known retailers you already trust.

• Amazon (amazon.com): the largest online retailer. Ships almost everything.
• Walmart (walmart.com): wide selection, often with same-day or next-day delivery.
• Target (target.com): good for household goods, clothing, and electronics.
• Your local pharmacy: CVS (cvs.com), Walgreens (walgreens.com), and Rite Aid (riteaid.com) all have online ordering.
• Your favorite local stores: many local businesses now have websites where you can order online.

How to Tell If a Website Is Safe

Before entering any personal information, check that the website is secure.

1. 1Look at the address bar at the top of your browser. The address should start with https:// (the "s" stands for secure).
2. 2You should see a padlock icon to the left of the address.
3. 3The website address should match the store you are shopping at — "amazon.com" not "amazon-deals.net" or "amazon.shop-online.com."
4. 4If anything looks off, close the page and go directly to the store's website by typing the address yourself.

Creating an Account vs. Checking Out as a Guest

Most online stores let you either create an account or check out as a guest. Both are fine.

• Creating an account: saves your address and order history for future purchases. Convenient if you shop there regularly.
• Guest checkout: you enter your information once for this purchase only. Nothing is saved. Good if you shop there rarely or prefer not to create accounts.
• If you create an account, use a strong password and write it down somewhere safe.

How to Pay Safely Online

The safest ways to pay online protect you if something goes wrong.

• Credit card: the safest option. Credit cards have strong fraud protection — if you are charged for something you did not buy, you can dispute it and get your money back.
• PayPal: a secure payment service that keeps your card number private from the merchant.
• Debit card: works but offers less fraud protection than a credit card.
• Gift cards: never pay for online purchases with gift cards. No legitimate store asks for payment in gift cards — this is always a scam.
• Wire transfer or money order: never use these for online shopping. You cannot get your money back if something goes wrong.

What Information You Should and Should Not Provide

Online stores need some information to process your order, but they should never ask for certain things.

• Safe to provide: your name, shipping address, email address, and payment card number.
• Never provide: your Social Security number, Medicare number, bank account number, or passwords.
• A legitimate online store will never ask for your Social Security number to complete a purchase.

After You Order: What to Expect

Once you complete a purchase, here is what normally happens.

1. 1You will receive a confirmation email with your order number and a summary of what you ordered.
2. 2You will receive a shipping confirmation email with a tracking number when your order ships.
3. 3You can use the tracking number on the carrier's website (UPS, FedEx, USPS) to see where your package is.
4. 4If you do not receive a confirmation email, check your spam folder.

What to Do If Something Goes Wrong

If you have a problem with an online order, here is how to resolve it.

• Item not received: contact the store's customer service. Most stores have a phone number, email, or chat option.
• Wrong item received: contact customer service and request a return or exchange.
• Unauthorized charge on your card: call your bank or credit card company immediately and report it as fraud.
• You think you were scammed: contact your bank immediately, change your passwords, and report the fraud to the FTC at reportfraud.ftc.gov.