Tips for economical, safe Internet shopping

Each year, more people do their holiday shopping online. Nothing beats that convenience. But before you buy anything online, make sure you're staying safe -- and getting the best deal.

1. Think credit, not debit

A credit card is the safest way to pay for items online. With credit cards, you'll get security protection from your card's issuer. Visa, MasterCard and American Express all have a zero liability policy. If you notify the bank of unauthorized transactions, you pay nothing.

Also, with credit cards, you can assign password challenges for purchases. When you buy something, you're prompted for a password. This offers another layer of protection. MasterCard offers SecureCode and Visa offers Verified by Visa.

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