With the trend towards online shopping, buyers are reminded to remain aware of the hidden dangers.

The Consumer Protection Office (CPO) of Manitoba recommends shopping with recognizable businesses whenever possible, and to research new or unknown suppliers. Reading other customer experiences and reviews, being aware of return options and order canceling terms is also key.

Personal information is as valuable to scammers as money, the CPO warns, adding browsing and shopping on unsecured websites could lead to the theft of personal information. Instead, it's recommended to shop on websites with the "https://" at the beginning of the URL.

After making a purchase, the CPO also recommends monitoring your banking statements for any charges you don't recognize. Paying by credit card for online purchases also adds an extra layer of protection if issues arise.

Under the Consumer Protection Act, residents are protected against unauthorized use of credit card information and the Act limits a consumer's liability to $50 when credit card information is used without authorization.

The Act also provides the right to reverse or cancel a credit card charge if the consumer was entitled to a refund and has not received one from the vendor, and gives consumers the right to cancel a sale prior to receipt of goods or services if the seller has not provided certain information to the consumer. Consumers are also provided the opportunity to cancel an Internet sale if the seller fails to deliver goods or services.

For more tips, visit http://manitoba.ca/justice/cp/cpo/info/shopping_safely_online.html.