NEWS RELEASE

Media Contact:
Renee Beauregard 303-400-3456
Ken Scott 713-682-1382, pager 1(800) 901-4418

Consumers United Association
Offers Tips for Safe Online Shopping

Denver, CO - November 21, 2002 -'Tis the season to be shopping and many consumers will take advantage of the ease and convenience of online shopping. Consumers spent nearly $26 billion online in 2000 according to the US Department of Commerce and total online spending is expected to increase.

Before clicking their way to holiday purchases Consumers United Association encourages consumers to educate themselves and avoid the potential for Internet fraud. The amount of money lost by consumers to Internet fraud grew from $3,387,530 in 2000 to $4,371,724 in 2001 with an average $845 per person in general merchandise sales losses reports the National Consumers League Internet Fraud Watch.

CUA offers these tips for safe online shopping.

Choose carefully. Shop with companies that you trust and are reputable online merchants. If you are unfamiliar with a company, check with the Better Business Bureau Online at www.bbbonline.org to see if it meets the BBB Code of Online Business Practices. Take down the physical address and phone number in case you need to contact the company off line.

Charge it. Using a credit card for purchases provides you the legal right to dispute goods or services charged to your account. If you are uncomfortable giving your credit card number over the Internet, you are not alone. The National Consumers League in its 2001 Shopping Online survey reports that 43 percent of those surveyed feared that their credit card number would be stolen. To answer this concern, many merchants offer the option of phoning or faxing credit card payment information.

Check out single-use or substitute credit card numbers. Your credit card issuer may offer this new technology that allows you to use a number other than your account number for purchases and prevent any abuses of your account.

Confirm security. Look on the site for information regarding safeguards while transmitting payment information. Never give your credit card or other sensitive information in an email.

Certify all details. Before clicking the purchase button make sure you have a complete description of the item/s, the total price including shipping and expected delivery date. Also, print the return policy and know what to do if you have any problems with delivery or the product.

Catalog your purchases. Print out all online order and payment transactions and save the receipts.

Consumers United Association (CUA) is a nonprofit consumer advocacy association serving consumers in Colorado. Our mission is to improve the financial lives of consumers by providing financial education and advocacy. CUA offers services and resources to aid consumers in the resolution of consumer problems and provides a united voice for consumers in the legislative arena. For more information visit www.cuacolorado.org.