Just as you take steps to protect yourself when shopping in a traditional retail store - so do you need to be smart about where you spend your money shopping online. Here are eight tips for safe online shopping:

1. Know your merchant: You wouldn't buy a car from a car-yard that you thought was dodgy and the same applies online. Unless you already know that you can trust the merchant, then you should do some research.

2. Check the URL: Make sure you are located on the correct website.

3. Understand the merchant's policies: The refund policy is a good place to start.

4. Choose a secure password: Combine lower and upper case letters and numbers, avoid using your birthday or other terms/words which can be guessed.

5. Protect your computer: Make sure your computer has up-to-date anti-virus and anti-spam software.

6. Use a safe payment service: Enjoy the security of Internet banking and use POLi as a payment service, in this way no one can view your financial details except your bank.

7. Check financial statements: Make sure you read through your financial statement every month.

8. If fraud has occurred: Contact your bank and then the police immediately.

Recommended websites for online safety: