Using E-commerce websites and purchasing online helpful hints.

Never Give Out Your Social Security Number. Providing your Social Security number is not a requirement for placing an order at an e-commerce Web site. There is no need for the merchant to ask for it. Giving out your Social Security number could lead to having your identity stolen. (See PRC Fact Sheet 17a, “Identity Theft: What to Do if It Happens to You,” Disclose Only the Bare Facts When You Order. When placing an order, there is certain information that you must provide to the web merchant such as your name and address. Often, a merchant will try to obtain more information about you. They may ask questions about your leisure lifestyle or annual income. This information is used to target you for marketing purposes. It can lead to “spam” or even direct mail and telephone solicitations.Don’t answer any question you feel is not required to process your order. Often, the web site will mark which questions need to be answered with an asterisk (*). Should a company require information you are not comfortable sharing, leave >the site and find a different company for the product you seek.

Keep Your Password Private. Most reputable e-commerce web sites require the shopper to log-in before placing or viewing an order. The shopper is usually required to provide a username and a password.
Never reveal your password to anyone. When selecting a password, do not use commonly known information, such as your birthdate, mother’s maiden name, or numbers from your driver’s license or Social Security number. Do not reuse the same password for other sites. The best password has at least eight characters and includes numbers and letters.  Websites that use Telesign will always have a phone verification, automated call back, SMS messaging, or 2 fator authentication.