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• Use retailers and services you know about or ones that have been personally recommended to you.
• Be wary of traders who use PO box numbers for their contact address.
• Make sure you know the trader's full address – especially if the company is based outside the UK.
• If you use a premium rate service (090 numbers) look out for clear and prominent call cost information. All advertising should clearly state the cost per minute that you will be charged. If you are using the internet, call cost information should always be given before you connect to a site regardless of whether it is a UK or international premium rate call. More detailed information and guidance can be found at www.icstis.org.uk
• Don't assume an internet company is based in the UK just because its web address has 'uk' in it – check out the physical address and phone number.
• Better traders give their actual address on the net. You can check the information by contacting Nominet on www.nominet.org.uk which is the national registry for all web addresses ending in 'uk'.
• If you're buying something on the internet, look for firms that are part of an independent approval scheme such as TrustUK www.trustuk.org.uk. These are companies which have signed up to particular standards which include measures to:
• protect your privacy
• ensure your payments are
• let you know what you've agreed to
• cancel orders
• deliver goods or services within agreed timescales
• protect children
• sort out complaints – regardless of where you live
Please note: There are many different trader approval schemes worldwide – so check out what their particular approval means.
Keep in a safe place:
• the trader's address – and phone number
• the advert, together with a note of when and where it appeared.
• a print out of any web site information
• details of charges for postage and packing delivery times
Other things worth checking out:
• if you're joining a book or music club or making any kind of long-term commitment, check out the small print for any obligations you have to honour – and the cancellation terms.
• ask what you have to buy and over what period of time to qualify for any introductory offer if you buy through a newspaper or magazine ad, check that you're covered by a protection scheme.
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