If you're a regular reader of this column, chances are pretty good that you've bought something via the Internet, or you've at least thought about it. If you haven't actually made a purchase online yet, it might be because you are still worried about whether it is safe to do so. To quote The Beatles (or to quote the TV commercials, for you Generation-X'ers), "it's getting better all the time."
Things have improved over the past couple of years -- current Web browsers have better security features than they once did, and many online stores provide a variety of payment options for those who feel more comfortable sending a check or making credit card arrangements over the phone. So far, I've not had a single problem buying something via the 'Net (knock on wood), but if the whole idea of electronic commerce (e-commerce) still makes you nervous, there are some online resources you can use to determine whether buying online is a good idea for you or not.
The federal government has done a fairly good job over the past few years in providing information resources and services on the Internet, and the Federal Trade Commission provides some useful information for consumers who are considering buying things online.
The site is located at http://www.ftc.gov/bcp/menu-internet.htm, and it is called "E-commerce and the Internet." It is just one of many consumer information sites on the FTC Consumer Protection site at http://www.ftc.gov/ ftc/consumer.htm (which is worth a long look).
What you'll find at the e-commerce site is a collection of dozens of files (in text and PDF format) on a variety of topics, including consumer education, business education, public comments, rules and acts, staff comments and letters, testimony and workshops. The topics include how to safely shop online, how to avoid online fraud, how to identify online "pyramid" schemes, e-mail and "spam" issues, consumer information privacy and many others.
The FTC is not the only source of useful e-commerce information. For example, the National Consumers League offers a Web site called Internet Fraud Watch (http://www .fraud.org/internet/intset.htm) that provides many useful tips for those considering online purchasing, along with alerts and information about how to avoid trouble with Internet fraud.
The North American Securities Administrators Assn. sponsors a site with information about online investment fraud (http://www.nasaa.org/). If you've been considering entering the world of online investing, be sure to check out the NASAA site.
Another interesting site with loads of information about potential Internet scams is the Internet ScamBusters site (http://www.scambusters. com/), where you can learn about counterfeit merchandise, credit card fraud and the many Internet "urban legends" that seem to live endlessly on the 'Net.
There are several organizations that collect consumer reports concerning various online businesses and endorse the good ones; one such site is the WebAssured site (http://www.WebAssured.com/index.html). This site maintains a database of thousands of online businesses and their online commerce track records with consumers. If an online business displays the WebAssured icon, they've been deemed safe for online consumers.
The Better Business Bureau also has an e-commerce site for consumers (http://www. bbbonline.org/consumers/safesurfing.html). The BBB site offers consumer tips, consumer assistance and a search facility that allows you to search for information about specific online companies.
The holiday shopping season is approaching, so shop safely online!
-- Doug Heacock is executive director of the Kansas Research and Educational Network at Kansas University. You may address questions to him in care of the Lawrence Journal-World, 609 N.H., Lawrence, 66044, or e-mail him at heacock@kanren.net.
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