It's getting down to the wire for your holiday shopping and if you're buying gifts online, I want to remind you to shop safely. It's relatively easy to take a few steps to protect your financial information and make sure you pay for the gifts you actually ordered. Here are a couple of tips:

• When shopping online, make sure you have your computer in a safe, private location.  You don't want others to be able to view your screen.  Make sure you lock or turn-off your computer when you leave your desk.

• Use a major credit card for your online purchases; most cards will protect you from online fraud.  Also, try to charge all your purchases on the same credit card - it is easier to just check one bill to make sure it's accurate.

• Watch for any pop-ups or other e-mails that ask for personal account information.  E-mails that appear to be sent from your bank asking for personal account information such as your account number, password or Social Security number are likely the work of a scam artist. Do not respond.

• Important tip:  When you shop online, there's a quick way to make sure your credit card information is secure.  The URL in the address window will change from http:// to either https:// or shttp://  (an "s" either before or after the http) when you enter your information on the screen.

For more information on staying safe online, check out the Federal Trade Commission's site. Some companies offer advice and tools as well.  Check out the Smart Limits service from AT&T.