Shopping online is a pleasure. No traffic, no crowds, no searching for a parking spot. In 2010, Internet commerce totaled $165.4 billion and continues to grow. At the same time, scams are growing, too. More than $246 million in losses were reported by Americans in 2010 and has steadily increased since then. You need to protect yourself. While shopping on legitimate, well-known sites belonging to your favorite department store or specialty shop is probably not going to be a problem, lesser-known sites that come up when you’re looking for a bargain and using a search engine for something specific could be places for concern. The same can be said for auction sites. Here’s what you can do to ensure that online shopping is as secure as a trip to the mall: 1. Call the retailer first. If you’re not sure about the website’s legitimacy, pick up the phone and try…
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