ONLINE: Tips to avoid problems

I work for an online company. We take orders via our website and on the phone, and as a consumer and Christmas coming, I would like to let your readers know about some online precautions to take.

First of all if you like to hide your gifts, if you are shipping the item to an address that is not your credit card's billing address, expect to be called by the retailer. A good retailer will verify the shipping information with the card holder. We may ask you to add your shipping address to the credit card. This is a precaution for you, the card holder.

If you have an account with Wells Fargo or Bank of America, call a LOCAL teller and let them know and keep that person's name and number on file to give this retailer. We can only verify the information you have given us, not get new information.

If the retailer calls and asks for the credit card number, verify it is them and call them back. Most online retailers do not retain credit card information in their system. That is why we have to ask for verification only - again another precaution for you.

Do not give your credit card out if you feel unsafe. Ask for their number and call them back after verifying the number by Googling it.

Together, we retailers can work together to protect our customers.

SANDRA HOPKINS

Coeur d'Alene