When you shop from home, you often have to give more information to the trader than you would if you were in a shop. This might include your postcode, your e-mail address, and your credit card details.
This information can't be given to anyone else without your agreement. If the company you are buying from wants to pass on your details to someone else, it must also give you the right to say no. Be sure to do this if you do not want your name passed on. When paying for goods:
- try not to give your bank account numbers, credit card details, or any other personal information to a company you haven't checked out
- use credit cards, cheques, or postal orders - not cash
- if you have to send cash, use registered post
- keep a dated copy of your order
- if you pay for a product costing more than £100 on your credit card (even if you only pay the deposit) you may have a claim against the credit card issuer as well as against the trader if you have a complaint. This can be useful if the trader goes out of business
- if someone uses your payment card fraudulently to shop from home without your permission, you can cancel the payment and your card company must arrange for you to be re-credited in full
- if you discover that someone has used your card dishonestly, tell the card issuer as soon as possible.
