If you’re buying presents online, then have the presence of mind to shop safely this Christmas.

It is estimated that £22 million was spent by UK consumers ordering Christmas presents online this Monday (November 29). But for most of us, there is still much more to buy and Hertfordshire Trading Standards is offering advice to ensure shoppers know their rights when surfing the web.

– Always use reputable firms for online shopping, whose details you’ve checked out in advance, including their full company name and address
– Try typing the name of the firm you’re thinking of using into a search engine like Google to see if any complaints forums pop up. These do need to be treated with caution, but a lot of dissatisfied customers could be a warning sign
– Look for firms which use the padlock sign on their websites which show that payments can be made safely using your credit or debit card
– Look at the firm’s terms and conditions as these can be a giveaway. Most typical internet purchases from UK firms will be subject to the Consumer Protection Distance Selling Regulations, which give a seven-day cooling off period for most types of goods so you can change your mind, or cancel the sale if the goods turn out to be the wrong size or colour, etc. If the terms and conditions do not mention these rights, then shop elsewhere.
– If you’re going to do a lot of shopping online, then keep your computer safe by investing in decent virus protection software. Learn about internet security by visiting www.getsafeonline.org
– Remember that just as when you buy goods in a shop, you can obtain extra legal protection if you use your credit card to pay for goods or services over £100, as the credit company is equally liable with the seller for offering you some sort of remedy.

If you have any problems buying goods and/or services online, contact Hertfordshire Trading Standards by calling Consumer Direct on 08454 040506.