33 million people in Britain now use the internet regularly either to shop or bank online and nearly half of all adults do both (according to APACS). As use of the internet has grown it's little wonder that online fraud has grown too. However, there are ways you can protect yourself from fraudsters and make sure this is a Christmas to remember for the right reasons. APACS - the UK payments association - says card details are as valuable as cash in the wrong hands so it is important to store cards securely at all times.

Check credit card statements thoroughly

When shopping online it is sensible to use a credit card. If it is a specific credit card you use just for online shopping, even better. It makes it easier to check back through the statement that all the purchases belong to you. It is vital that you do check and alert your card provider as soon as you spot an anomaly. The quicker any problems are identified, the better.

Keep a paper trail of all purchases

Online shoppers should always print out their order and keep copies of retailers' terms and conditions, including the returns policies. Shoppers should also take a note of any retailer's postal addresses and phone numbers. Warning signs that a company isn't all it's cracked up to be include companies using PO Box addresses in lieu of proper addresses and mobile phone numbers rather than landlines.

Use a separate credit card for online shopping

One way shoppers can safeguard themselves is to have a specific credit card for online shopping. You could even elect to use a pre-paid credit card. These are cards that you load payment onto before you go shopping, so that is all that can be spent and no more. So, if fraudsters ever get hold of your details, you have limited your losses.

Use Verified by Visa or SecureCode by Mastercard

These options usually pop up when you are shopping online. They involve you registering a separate password with your card provider which gives your card details an extra layer of security. Just don't use the same code for all your security levels or that defeats the object of using them in the first place.

Only shop on secure sites - look for the ISIS symbol

ISIS stands for Internet Shopping Is Safe and retailers who have signed up to the scheme have met minimum security standards as defined by IMRG, the e-retail industry body. ISIS retailers account for two-thirds of all UK online shopping, which means a third don't. However, using Kelkoo can actually help you identify which retailers are ISIS-safe. We are great believers in ISIS and will always show which retailers comply with the scheme in our product search by showing the ISIS logo.

Listen to other shoppers

Product reviews are one thing, service reviews are another. Before you buy, look at customer feedback and check they are satisfied. If you have any suspicions, browse other products available from the same retailers to make sure they haven't just got three mates along to write all the feedback across the entire site.

Know your rights

Shopping safely isn't just about minimising the risk of fraud, it's also about what to do when your purchase goes wrong. When you buy something from the high street, it's easy to take the purchase back, together with proof of purchase, and get a replacement or a refund. When it comes to purchasing from the internet, it becomes less clear. However, knowing a few basic rules about your shopping rights can help guide you through any sticky patch.

Pay by credit card for protection

Something definitely worth knowing about is Section 75 of the Consumer Credit Act 1974. This bit of legislation basically means that if you have something costing between £100 and £30,000 and paid for it by credit card you are protected if the goods are faulty, if the company goes bust before you get your goods or if the goods fail to arrive for any reason. That's because you can go to your card company for a refund, because this bit of law makes your card company equally liable if anything goes wrong.

Thank you EU

When you shop online you have extra protection, thanks to a little piece of legislation called Distance Selling Regulations. As Sue Hayward, author of How To Get The Best Deal explains, “because you won't have had the chance to examine the goods prior to buying them, as you would in the high street, you are given an extra cooling off period to give you time to change your mind and get a refund.â€� So, online consumers get seven working days to return the item, starting from the day after receiving the goods. However, this only applies to companies trading within the EU. Of course, there are exceptions. Perishable goods aren't covered, nor are purchases under £35 or financial services products [which are covered under separate legislation]. So, there's no point in buying a bunch of bananas on Monday and wanting them to be returned on Wednesday. Sadly, you'll just have to give them to your work colleagues or neighbours!

IDIS members give you peace of mind

When you compare prices on Kelkoo, not only can you see which companies are ISIS accredited (Internet Shopping Is Safe), you can also see which ones carry the IDIS logo (Internet Delivery Is Safe). IDIS accreditation means you will always see clear delivery information when you place your order; the delivery service will be convenient, reliable and timely and any delivery charges will be clearly laid out and simple to understand. As an online shopper with an IDIS accredited retailer you also have the right to help if there is any trouble delivering goods and a clear returns process which will set out any conditions concerning returns at the outset. With so many specialist online retailers out there, it is well worth checking as many of them are IDIS members.

Peace of mind

Just remember, around 30 million, items are bought online every year and most arrive in good time and in perfect condition, so don't worry. These basic guidelines are here to reassure you rather than instil panic. So, get Kelkooing and happy Christmas shopping!