-- Just as you should be aware of your surroundings and be on the lookout for suspicious looking characters when withdrawing money from an ATM, you should know how to recognize the warning signs of Internet fraud and take steps to avoid being a victim.

-- Make sure you download the most recent version of your browser to take advantage of advances in encryption capabilities to protect your personal information as it's transmitted over the Internet.

-- Watch for the padlock icon on the status bar at the bottom of your browser window, which indicates that the site is secure.

-- Look for an s added to the usual http at the beginning of the Web site's URL when you get ready to submit your purchase information. The https indicates a secure server.

-- Before submitting personal information to a site, read their privacy policy to find out how the information may be used and whether it will be sold or shared with other businesses. If you don't like what you read, shop somewhere else.

-- Don't provide personal information such as address, telephone number, Social Security number, bank account number, or e-mail address unless you know whom you're providing the information to, why it's being requested, and how it will be used.

-- Use a credit card, not a debit card, for Internet purchases. Debit cards don't have the same protection as debit cards when it comes to limiting your liability for fraudulent use.

-- Carefully review your credit card and bank statement each month for unauthorized charges and notify your credit card company or bank immediately if you notice any charges you didn't authorize.