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Did you miss out on buying the hottest item for Christmas yesterday, and are hoping to find it online?  Well before you search for that "gotta have"  item, watch out.   Hackers and scam artists have been dreaming up new ways to trick you.

Shopping online can be cost effective and convenient.  But, before you click on a website that seems to offer just what you are looking for, watch out.

If you plan to shop online, here are a few things that you might want to do to protect yourself:  

Before you click on a site, take a good look at the web address.  If it does not seem familiar or appears to be located out of the country, you may want to think twice before clicking.

Even if a site appears to be legitimate, watch out for copy cat sites that may have fuzzy images, spelling and grammar errors, or that seem to be vague.

If you decide to make a purchase online, make sure to read the terms and conditions, and return policies before finalizing the purchase.

Consider paying with a credit card verses a debit card.  Using a credit card may provide extra protection if the product is not as promised, and it will also limit your level of liability if your card is used fraudulently.  

You might also want to consider using a pre-paid or "single use" credit card  to avoid having a card that you use frequently, at risk of being compromised.

After making your purchase, make sure to check your credit card statements and thoroughly inspect the product that you purchased as soon as possible.  If you notice a problem, contact the seller and your credit card company immediately to dispute the charge.