Security Policy

How to decide if you can trust a website

Knowing when to trust a website depends in part on who publishes the website, what information they want, and what you want from the site. If you’re not sure whether to trust a website, consider these questions:

1. Is the site owned by a company or organisation that you know well?
2. Does the website ask you for personal information?
3. On a retail website, is there a way to contact someone by phone or mail?
4. If you don’t recognize the site, do you have other information to help you decide?

1. Is the site owned by a company that you know well?
   For example, if you bought merchandise from a physical store and were happy with the experience, you might want to try the store’s website as well. However, even if you trust the company, always read the website’s privacy or terms of use statement. Sometimes a company’s website is independent of its stores, and it might have different privacy terms. Look for terms you don’t agree with, such as requirements to accept e-mail offers or advertising from the website, or that your information is shared with the company’s partners. If you are not comfortable with the terms or behaviors (for example, you do not want to be tracked or to see advertisements), do not use the site.
2. Does the website ask you for personal information?
   If you are asked for personal information, such as credit card numbers or bank information, only provide it if there is a good reason to do so. Also, make sure there is a secure entry form for recording information. Look for a message stating that the information will be encrypted and check for the ‘pad lock’ icon in either the browsers address bar or footer bar. Also, try to find out what the website’s policy is about storing information: Do they keep your credit card number on file? Do they have partners that they share information with? You should be confident that the site is using your information properly and in a secure manner before providing any information.
3. Is there a way to contact someone by phone or mail?
   Do they have a phone number that you can call if you have a problem, or that you can use to place an order? Does the website list a street address? Is there a posted return policy with acceptable terms? If the site doesn’t provide a phone number or physical address, try contacting the company by e-mail to ask for that information.
4. Do you have other information to help you decide?
   If you are not familiar with a website that might not necessarily mean that you cannot trust it. Ask reliable friends or colleagues about the site. Search for references to the site on the Internet to see if a source, such as a magazine or company that you do trust, has referred to it. Read the website’s privacy statements or other disclosures.

A website might not be trustworthy if:

• • • The site is referred to you through an e-mail message from someone you don’t know.
    • The site offers objectionable content, such as illegal materials.
    • The site makes offers that seem too good to be true, indicating a possible scam or the sale of illegal or stolen products.
    • You are lured to the site by a bait and switch scheme, in which the product or service is not what you were expecting.
    • You are asked for a credit card as a verification of identity or for personal information that does not seem necessary.
    • You are asked to provide a credit card number without proof that the transaction is secure.

If you do not feel comfortable using our website to place your order then contact us by phone 01256 333050 and we’ll be more than happy to process your order over the phone for you.