Are you afraid to use your credit card on the web? Worried that an online `eavesdropper' will capture your card number and send it off to a den of thieves? Well don't worry! There has never been a documented case of anyone having his or her credit stolen while buying something off the Web.

Many people who worry about online security don't think twice about handing their credit card to a waiter in a restaurant, or giving the number over an insecure phone line to a mail order catalogue clerk.

Why? Because other signs of trust are in place, primarily the reputation of the merchant.

Just as you make decisions in the real world regarding whom you buy from, you can apply the same criteria to Internet merchants.

There are five simple things to look for on a merchant's Web site to determine if an online store is a safe place to shop. 1. Web site Address: Does the merchant have its own domain name (www.businessname.com) or are they using free web space such as that provided by Geocities (www.geocities.com)? If the merchant has made the effort to set up their own domain it generally indicates that they are serious about developing their business. A web site with its own domain name is like a merchant with a large storefront downtown versus a guy with a fold-up card on the side of the road. 2. Site Design: How does the merchant's web site look? Does it look professionally designed or amateurish? A professionally designed site will be appealing to the eye and means the merchant spent the money to have it done, thereby making a commitment to selling their product online.

Just as you may have second thoughts about buying something from a poorly lit store with dusty shelves, you should avoid the web site that looks like it was slapped together in a hurry. 3. Contact Information: Is the merchant's physical address and phone number prominently on the web site? Email is great, but in the event of a problem sometimes you need to talk to a real person. The merchant should provide a means for you to do so. 4.

Return Policy: Is the merchant's return policy described somewhere on their web site? Even if their policy is no returns, the shopper should be made aware of that from the beginning.

5. Secure Ordering: Is the merchant using a secure ordering system that encrypts your credit card information? How do you tell if the ordering system is secure? First, at the bottom of your browser window, you'll see a small icon of a lock. The lock should be closed; this indicates an encrypted connection with the server.

Second, many secure servers will add an "s'' to the "http'' portion of the URL.

For example, "http:/www.notsecure.com'' is not running on a secure server; "https:/www.secure.com'' is secure. Always look for these telltale signs before entering your credit card number.

NB Note: You generally will not be on the secure portion of a merchant's web site until you begin entering your credit card information, so don't look for it as soon as you enter a site.

In addition to only using merchants with reputable web sites, there are four easy things you can do to protect yourself.

Always use a credit card instead of a bank debit card. Credit cards will usually help you if you are ripped off.

When you make a purchase online, get some proof that you did.

Print out the page that shows what you ordered and your order information. If you don't receive your ordered items, you will know when you purchased and your order number.

If you have never heard of a merchant before, check them out.

You can investigate US companies via online The Better Business Bureau (www.bbb.org) and The National Associations Of Attorneys General (www.naag.org) web sites.

If you go to one of the popular auctions, be sure to check the feedback area about the seller. Auctions like Ebay (www.ebay.com) keep a log of customer complaints and comments on the seller.

And don't provide any additional information about yourself.

Credit card companies only need your name, billing address, and phone number to verify a purchase, so don't tell them anything else about yourself, even if the form asks for it.

*** Michelle Swartz is Internet Communications Consultant for Logic Communications. Her column, Logged On, appears on the second and last Wednesday of every month in The Royal Gazette's new Personal Technology section. The column aims to advise and assist computer and Internet users.

Comments and queries may be sent to Ms Swartz at e-mail.