WASHINGTON – It’s the time of year for food, family and spending more money online, and Virginia Attorney General Mark Herring has tips to protect yourself in the latter case.

Through his newly expanded Consumer Protection Section, Herring offered four pieces of advice:

• First, pay online with a credit card. That way, if you are charged the wrong amount, the delivery doesn’t arrive or an unauthorized charge pops up on your bill, your transactions are fully protected by the Fair Credit Billing Act.
• Know when to expect the delivery, so you don’t risk having the package stolen or forgetting about the purchase if it never arrives.
• Know the return policies. For example, is there a restocking fee if it doesn’t fit?
• Finally, make sure the deal is real. Check that the web address starts with “https” (for secure), not just “http,” to make sure your credit information is secure.