Many shopping portals let you comparison shop by quoting prices from a long list of websites. RELATED LINKS Take the Shopping IQ Test Get Tips from Shopping Videos

Online shopping can turn the whole world into your shopping mall, but just as store-to store shopping, it can have its dangers. It's often difficult to tell if you are getting a true bargain when you shop online, and anytime you send your personal and financial information out into the Web, it could be vulnerable. To make sure that your Internet shopping experience is fun and safe, follow some guidelines from an old pro.

Bargain Shopping Specialist Susan Goldberg, popularly known as "Garage Sale Susan," loves driving around Southern California searching for "pre-owned treasures." She has been featured regularly on A&E's The Incurable Collector, and offers the following advice for shopping safely on the Web:

• Comparison shop.
  There are a lot of terrific sites that offer comparison-shopping, and they can help you get the best price on what you're looking for. Goldberg likes to visit Mysimon.com and the Good Housekeeping site. She also finds that it often pays to purchase a report from The Consumer Reports site.

• Look for the security lock.
  You shouldn't let all the fun get in the way of online safety. When visiting a website, check the lower right side of screen, and make sure you see a lock. This means your transaction is safe and secure.

• Print all documentation.
  Most people just print up that last page of the transaction, but Goldberg goes farther by visiting the seller's home page and printing out their policy on returns and warranties. This way she has it in writing if she needs it.

• Read the privacy policy.
  Do not complete your transaction without reading the seller's privacy policy. If a seller does not keep your information private, you're bound to get offers and unwanted spam.

For more information about online shopping, check out the following organizations or websites:

Garage Sale Susan
www.garagesalesusan.com

FDIC: Shopping and Paying from Home Over the Internet
www.fdic.com

Consumer.gov: Your Money
www.consumer.gov

My Simon
www.mysimon.com

Consumer Reports
www.consumerreports.com