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Avoiding the Malls
Protect Yourself While Shopping Online By Deborah Ng
The holiday shopping season is once again upon us. For many, the thought of going to the mall and standing on the checkout line for hours is about as appealing as a Brussels sprout sandwich. Busy people don't like to waste 
time. Thankfully, most of our favorite "mall shops" are available online, affording us the luxury and convenience of shopping from our home computers.
While more and more people are purchasing the bulk of their Christmas presents via the Internet, it doesn't mean it's always safe. But if you know where to shop and how to protect yourself, there's no reason why online shopping shouldn't be a rewarding and enjoyable experience.
Ann MacDonald of Orange County, Calif., figures 50 to 60 percent of her shopping will be done online this holiday season. She prefers the convenience of shopping online to visiting stores in person because it enables her to comparison shop without having to drive from store to store. She can also shop for "surprises" for her family without them having to be with her. MacDonald ensures safety and product reliability by shopping with familiar retailers and purchasing name-brand merchandise. She also won't buy any product unless the shop has an agreeable return policy.
While MacDonald doesn't necessarily feel comfortable giving out her credit card and other personal information, she knows there's really no way to get around it. "I think your credit card information is at risk any time you use your card, whether it is in a store or online," she says. "I don't always like giving all the information, but I think the benefits exceed the risks for me."