Online shopping safety, for a cause

With U.S. online retail sales projected to grow to $335 billion by 2012, being safe online is of utmost importance. Be safe and visit trusted sites. And give a boost to your favorite charity, at no cost to you.

First: Safety. Before entering credit card or bank information, be sure the site you’re shopping is secure. Has the "http" changed to "https"? If not, you're at risk of identity theft. Visit another site for your purchase. Click for ID protection tips.

Second: What if your favorite cause could benefit from your online shopping spree (without your spending an extra dime)? GoodShop makes it possible. Visit www.goodshop.com and select a cause. Then, link to any of the 700+ big-name retailers hosted by the site. (We’re talking eBay, Amazon, Target, Home Depot, iTunes, Priceline, Gap, Staples, and many more!) GoodShop automatically donates up to 37 percent of your purchase to the organization you’ve chosen.

Check it out. Your favorite charity will thank you and you'll feel great about shopping online.