Tips for returning gifts

Only eight days of madness till your true loves give to you — gifts that need returning and Tums for hearts ‘a burning.

To all of you who will shop yourselves into a frenzy during the next eight days — then on the holiday receive gifts that you cannot wait to return — these tips are for you:

From the Better Business Bureau
Before buying, learn the store’s return policy. Some retailers give shoppers extra time for gifts to be returned or exchanged. Others give as little as a week, if they accept returns at all, or offer shorter return times on certain products.

Ask if a restocking fee is charged when a gift is returned.

Find out who pays shipping costs on mailed returns and if an online purchase can be returned to a bricks-and-mortar store. Buy elsewhere if you don’t like the return policy.

Secure your computer. To help protect your personal data during online shopping, be sure your computer has anti-virus, anti-spyware and firewall software installed.

From American Express Co.
Include the receipt with your wrapped gifts. It will make returns and exchanges quicker and easier.

Without a receipt, you or the gift recipient may only be refunded the new sale price, not the full price that was paid for the item.

Stash all receipts in one place so you can easily find the ones you need.

Return unwanted gifts fast. Many retailers have tight return deadlines.

Don’t open it if you don’t want it. Some retailers won’t refund money for opened CDs and DVDs, for example. If possible, decide before opening an item whether you plan to keep it.

Ask if your card has free purchase protection. Your credit-card company may refund up to a certain amount within a specified time if the retailer won’t take back a gift, or if you break it accidentally, or if it gets stolen.

From Wachovia Bank
Downsize your wallet or purse. Thieves can’t steal what you don’t have. Bring your driver’s license and the credit and debit cards you intend to use. Leave behind the Social Security card and that fat wad of cash.

Online, confirm whom you’re buying from. The Web site should provide the seller’s physical address and phone number. Verify it, then order.

Don’t click “buy it” until you’ve read the terms. Read the description of the product, refund policy and delivery terms carefully.

Pay with a credit card. If something goes wrong, you have the credit-card company backing you, and you won’t be liable for more than $50 in fraudulent charges, if anything.

Print a paper trail. You need a record of every transaction, including a receipt and any e-mails that you exchanged with the seller.

Don’t give out certain financial information. Keep your Social Security number, passwords and bank-account numbers to yourself.

Shop on secure sites. Look to see that the Web address starts with “https” or “shttp” — the “s” means its secure — not “http” on the page where you type in personal data. Look for the image of a closed padlock.

Scrutinize your statements. Immediately report unauthorized charges to your financial institution.

From the National Consumers League
Don’t shop on an unencrypted Wi-Fi network. It may be convenient to make purchases while sipping latte in a public space, but your private data might easily be scooped up and used fraudulently by a crook sitting nearby.

Beware of offers for fast, easy money. You may get e-mail offers for a personal loan or credit cards in exchange for an upfront fee. Con artists will take that money and run.

Turn off the computer when you’re done shopping. Computers left running 24/7 are a dream scenario for scammers who install malicious software on computers, then control it remotely to commit cybercrime.

Shop safely, consumers.

By Iris Taylor

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