Consumer Protection Tips

Valuable Information About Privacy,
Security, and Shopping On The Internet

Helpful Consumer Protection Articles

Online Shopping: Quick Facts
Good tips from the Federal Trade Commission on how to shop wisely on line.

FDA Reiterates Warning Against Online Drug Buying
US Food and Drug Administration warns consumers to avoid risky on line
drug purchasing practices.

The following article is from the Federal Trade Commission

Online Shopping

Quick Facts

Shopping on the Internet can be economical and convenient. Shopping on the Internet is no less safe than shopping in a store or by mail. To help ensure that your online shopping experience is a safe one:

Know who you're dealing with. Confirm the online seller's physical address and phone number in case you have questions or problems.
Know exactly what you're buying. Read the seller's description of the product closely, especially the fine print.
Know what it will cost. Factor shipping and handling -- along with your needs and budget -- into the total cost of the order.
Pay by credit or charge card, for maximum consumer protections.
Check out the terms of the deal, like refund policies and delivery dates.
Print and save records of your online transactions.

Shopping online offers lots of benefits that you won't find shopping in a store or by mail. The Internet is always open -- seven days a week, 24 hours a day -- and bargains can be numerous online. With a click of a mouse, you can buy an airline ticket, book a hotel, send flowers to a friend, or purchase your favorite fashions. But sizing up your finds on the Internet is a little different from checking out items at the mall.

If you're buying items from an online retailer or auction website, OnGuard Online offers this advice to help you make the most of your shopping experience:

Know who you're dealing with. Anyone can set up shop online under almost any name. Confirm the online seller's physical address and phone number in case you have questions or problems. If you get an email or pop-up message while you're browsing that asks for financial information, don't reply or click on the link in the message. Legitimate companies don't ask for this information via email.
Know exactly what you're buying. Read the seller's description of the product closely, especially the fine print. Words like "refurbished," "vintage," or "close-out" may indicate that the product is in less-than-mint condition, while name-brand items with "too good to be true" prices could be counterfeits.
Know what it will cost. Check out websites that offer price comparisons and then, compare "apples to apples." Factor shipping and handling -- along with your needs and budget -- into the total cost of the order. Do not send cash under any circumstances.
Pay by credit or charge card. If you pay by credit or charge card online, your transaction will be protected by the Fair Credit Billing Act. Under this law, you have the right to dispute charges under certain circumstances and temporarily withhold payment while the creditor is investigating them. In the event of unauthorized use of your credit or charge card, you generally would be held liable only for the first $50 in charges. Some companies offer an online shopping guarantee that ensures you will not be held responsible for any unauthorized charges made online, and some cards may provide additional warranty, return, and/or purchase protection benefits.
Check out the terms of the deal, like refund policies and delivery dates. Can you return the item for a full refund if you're not satisfied? If you return it, find out who pays the shipping costs or restocking fees, and when you will receive your order. A Federal Trade Commission (FTC) rule requires sellers to ship items as promised or within 30 days after the order date if no specific date is promised.
Keep a paper trail. Print and save records of your online transactions, including the product description and price, the online receipt, and copies of every email you send or receive from the seller. Read your credit card statements as you receive them and be on the lookout for unauthorized charges.
Don't email your financial information. Email is not a secure method of transmitting financial information like your credit card, checking account, or Social Security number. If you initiate a transaction and want to provide your financial information through an organization's website, look for indicators that the site is secure, like a lock icon on the browser's status bar or a URL for a website that begins "https:" (the "s" stands for "secure"). Unfortunately, no indicator is foolproof; some fraudulent sites have forged security icons.
Check the privacy policy. It should let you know what personal information the website operators are collecting, why, and how they're going to use the information. If you can't find a privacy policy -- or if you can't understand it, consider taking your business to another site that's more consumer-friendly.

September, 2005

For more information visit

Helpful Link:

www.safeshopping.org

The informational site safeshopping.org was created by the American Bar Association.

It will help you order safely when shopping online. You'll find cyber-shopping is fast, convenient and opens up a whole new world of merchandise and services for you and your family. Visit the website to find a smarter, safer way to shop online.

Helpful Information on
Identity Theft, Spyware &
Computer Security:

Visit the Computer Security Help Center
at www.inetplanet.net

Consumer Sential
fraud-fighting program

Information about the
one and only legitimate
source for free credit reports as required by law

Do Not Call List

Product Recalls

Credit Prescreening
Fact Sheet

Source: FDA Consumer magazine

FDA Reiterates Warning Against Online Drug Buying

By Carol Rados

Buying prescription drugs online from unknown foreign sources is risky business, and people are being advised by the Food and Drug Administration once again to use care when doing so. A recent analysis of three commonly prescribed drugs purchased by the FDA from a Canadian-advertised Web site showed that the "generics" were fake, substandard, and potentially dangerous.

"Consumers who believe they are getting equivalent products from reputable sources are being misled and putting their health at risk," says Dr. Lester M. Crawford, Acting FDA Commissioner. "This firm shipped drugs that were the wrong strength, including some that were substantially super-potent and that pose real health risks as a result, drugs that didn't dissolve properly, drugs that contained contaminants, and drugs that should not have been given because of potentially dangerous drug interactions," he says.

The FDA purchased so-called "generic" versions of Viagra (sildenafil), Lipitor (atorvastatin), and Ambien (zolpidem). None of the drugs has a U.S.-approved generic version, so all of the purchased drugs were unapproved.

The "generic" Ambien, a controlled substance approved for short-term insomnia, contained too much active ingredient, including one tablet that was nearly double the labeled potency. Taking super-potent Ambien puts patients at risk for central nervous system depression, especially in elderly or debilitated patients.

The "generic" Lipitor, a drug used for lowering cholesterol, was subpotent and failed to dissolve, providing on average only 57 percent of the active ingredient claimed on the label. It also failed the FDA's purity testing. Subpotent products could present a long-term risk for the various complications of high cholesterol, such as heart disease. Further, the Lipitor product was furnished to the FDA's online purchaser, even though the purchaser said that he was taking the antibiotic erythromycin. Lipitor's label warns against taking these two drugs at the same time.

The "generic" Viagra, normally sold to treat impotence, contained too little of the active ingredient, failed to dissolve, and had an unacceptable level of impurities.

The FDA warns that, although a Web site may appear to be reputable and may look similar to other retail pharmacy Web sites, many of these are in fact operating from outside the United States and are providing unapproved drugs from unreliable sources. The National Association of Boards of Pharmacy (NABP) has established a program called Verified Internet Pharmacy Practice Sites (VIPPS), designed to certify Web sites that meet industry standards. Consumers should look for the VIPPS certification seal on the site or check with the NABP for a list of VIPPS-certified pharmacies at www.nabp.net/vipps/ to help minimize the risks of getting bad quality drugs from disreputable sources.