Do Your Research

• Check for your browser's symbol, such as a padlock or key, indicating you're on a secure site
• Look for privacy statements on each merchant website to learn what information is being collected and how it will be used
• Review Payment Logic's Information on Privacy as an excellent example
• Get referrals from your friends on their favorite shopping websites
• Check with your state/local consumer agencies or the Better Business
• Bureau before buying if you don't know the merchant Look for customer feedback on the merchant's website
• Use secure sites that encrypt, or scramble, all information until the receiver unscrambles it. For example, we use 128-bit encryption for security purposes.

When You're Ready to Purchase

• Give your account number only when you're ready to make a purchase
• Factor in taxes, shipping, duties, handling and other applicable charges
• Investigate insurance on your purchase and who pays for it
• Print everything, including product information, delivery details, warranties and confirmations
• Dispute a purchase if anything goes wrong--remember, you're protected

Creating Online Passwords

• Mix letters (lower and uppercase) and numbers
• Use at least 2 numbers and 1 letter for your password
• Make your User ID and password two distinct entries
• Make your User ID and password different from the security word you provided when you applied for the card
• Use phrases that combine spaces and words (i.e., "An apple a day"). Note: 1 space only between each word/character.

• Use your name
• Use the following characters for your User ID: ' " = : ; < > ( )
• Use a single word that can be found in the dictionary
• Use something readily identifiable, such as your birthday, spouse or child's name, social security number, phone number or street address
• Use letters or numbers that are near each other on the keyboard (i.e. hjkl;) or that appear in a logical sequence (i.e. 123456 or abcdefg)
• Share your information with anyone--ever

• Choose a meaningful phrase with 6-8 words in it (e.g. we bought our home 9 years ago) and take the first character of each word to make your password: wboh9ya
• Insert two digits into a word (e.g. Decem51ber)
• Misspell a word, drop some letters, add other characters, or make up words using symbols instead of vowels or consonants
• Drop the vowels in a long word (e.g. 'corporation' would be crprtn) and/or add some numbers (e.g. 2crprtn9)
• Use your email address/screen name as your User ID

• Is sexually explicit, vulgar or obscene
• Is racially or ethnically offensive
• Exploits a minor (any person under the age of 18)
• Defames, abuses or threatens physical harm or death to others or oneself
• Represents violence