The Shopping on the Internet booklet offers the following advice:

**Shop around for the best deals and prices.

**Find out as much as possible about the company you are dealing with - it is worth looking for a website which has independent approval by Trust UK, Which?, DMA or ABTA.

**If buying from abroad check that the electrical systems will work safely in the UK, and if buying clothing be aware that other countries may use different size codes.

**Make sure you can choose the time and place for delivery - and find out how much it will cost.

**Limit your risks if selecting a company outside the UK and EU countries by not purchasing anything too expensive.

**Print off a copy of the advertisement and your order with its number, date and details of items purchased.

**Pay by credit card, especially if the cost is more than 100, as the card company will be jointly liable if things go wrong.

**Do not give too much information about yourself and select a secure site.

**If buying from private individuals or online auctions you have fewer rights - so check them out before you start.

**Finally, if the offer sounds too good to be true, the chances are that it is.