Shopping Online: Still Time

You have some last minute gifts you want to buy, but you dread going to the mall. Luckily, there's still time to do it online.

But, warns The Early Show consumer correspondent Susan Koeppen,don't let down your guard because you are in a hurry. You still need to be careful as you shop on the Web.

Many sites say, if you get the orders in by today or even tomorrow, the gifts will be there in time to put them under the tree, with regular shipping. And you can always pay more for express shipping.

That doesn't mean you should let your guard down.

The Early Show co-anchor Hannah Storm just had her credit card stolen online.

Koeppen tells Storm that's rare. Online shopping can be very safe, as long as you're careful and smart about how you shop.

The first thing you need to do, advises Koeppen, is make sure your browser is secure before entering your credit card information you type in will be private.

Here's how you can tell if the site is secure: Look for "https" on the top left. And look for a padlock or a key in the bottom right corner."

Koeppen suggests uing your credit card when shopping online, because then you're protected, up to a point.

If someone steals it, under federal law, you're only liable for 50 dollars, no matter how much is fraudulently charged on it. Even better, a lot of credit card companies offer zero liability. So you won't get stuck with the bill.

Experts say you shouldn't use your debit card, because if someone gets that number, they can take all of the money out of your bank account. Then you have to work to get all the money back. Only use the debit card for items that you are going to buy and take with you, in person.

Another tip: Keep your password a secret. Many sites will make you sign up and get a user name and a password. Make sure that password isn't an easy one, so someone can't get online and pretend to be you and go shopping.

Also, Koeppen says, print your receipt. Just like in a store, receipts are important. Make sure you print your receipt when it pops up on the screen. That way, you will have all the information in case something goes wrong.