Please take a minute to read the following consumer safety tips about online shopping. At QuiXshare we dedicate a lot of time and resources to online safety, but we also know that shoppers need to be prepared. These tips are also available (in slightly varied format) on the Federal Trade Commission's web site, posted as a FTC Consumer Alert.

1. Know your Merchant:
It's a good practice to be familiar with the name or reputation of any company you're dealing with. You can often find helpful information about online companies from Internet news sources, directories, and rating services. The Federal Trade Commission maintains a web site (www.consumer.gov) that provides many buyer's guides, lists of tips, and links to helpful resources. (Keep in mind that QuiXshare recommends to all merchants within our mall that they post relevant information about themselves and their business on an "Information" page.

2. Protect your privacy:
Know what information the merchant is collecting about you, how it will be used, and if they share it with or sell it to others. You can do this by checking the web site to make sure there is a privacy policy posted, and that you're comfortable with the way your personal information is treated under that policy. Look for seals from privacy enforcement organizations like TRUSTe or BBBOnLine. Be cautious if you're asked to supply personal information not needed to make a purchase, such as your Social Security number or personal bank account information. (We post a link to our Privacy Policy at the bottom of most QuiXshare Web pages. In our policy, written in collaboration with the TRUSTe organization, we explain when and where we collect personal information, and how we use it. We have recommended to merchants using QuiXshare that they post a similar policy on their sites.)

3. Get the Details:
Check for expected delivery dates, shipping and handling fees, warranties, return policies, and other important information. Look for an email address to write to (or a phone number to call) if you have a question, a problem, or if you need help. (We recommend to all QuiXshare merchants that they post all of this pertinent information on their "Information" pages and that they stay in touch with customers using the email and order-tracking tools that we provide.

4. Use a Credit Card and Safeguard Your Password:
It's a good practice to pay with credit cards, because under federal law (and your credit card agreement) your liability for an unauthorized charge is limited to $50. When using a credit card online, look for an unbroken key or padlock (a graphical icon usually located in the bottom corner of the web page), or for a policy that indicates use of strong security technology such as SSL. This indicates that your credit card data is transmitted securely. Keep your passwords safe, and don't share them with other people.  We also offer our Visa Q Card, a debit card that provides risk-free online shopping.)

5. Keep Good Records:
Make sure to print or save electronically any records related to your online transactions. This will help you keep track of shipping dates, shipping and handling fees, and other details of your transactions. (QuiXshare allows for an automatic email confirmation to be sent whenever someone orders something. The system also allows for subsequent email updates, and always includes the URL for online order tracking. We recommend to all QuiXshare merchants that they use email order receipts. It's a great way to stay in touch and allow customers to update their records too.)

•  To file a complaint about a fraudulent business practice or to get free information on how to spot, stop, and avoid one, call the Federal Trade Commission, toll-free, at 1-877-FTC-HELP (382-4357) or visit www.ftc.gov and click on "Consumer Protection."