Make sure your personal and payment information sent on online is sent in a secure Web transaction to avoid identify theft.

Identity theft, a growing problem, occurs when someone uses another person’s personal information, i.e. name, social security number, or credit card number to commit fraud. Past victims of identity theft, know how frustrating and time-consuming it can be to restore their credit rating.

Here are some important things to consider before you buy on-line:

• Look for the picture of the unbroken key or closed lock in the browser window. Either one indicates that the security is operative. A broken key or any open lock indicates it is not secure.
• Look to see if the web address on the page that asks for credit card information begins with "https" instead of "http."
• Some websites use the words "Secure Sockets Layer (SSL)" or a pop up box that says secure area.
• If an order is placed over the phone instead of online, many online merchants allow verbally providing credit card information. Make a note of the phone number, company, the date and time of the call, and the name of the person who recorded the credit card number.

Paying by credit card is actually safer than many other forms of payment. If an unauthorized charge appears on a credit card, under federal law liability is limited to $50. Moreover, some web site operators and credit card issuers (including all VISA and MasterCard issuers) promise that under certain circumstances, they will cover the complete unauthorized charge.

Note: This information was prepared as a public service by the Illinois State Bar Association and is a joint project with the Illinois Press Association. Its purpose is to inform citizens of their legal rights and obligations.