Q. How do I recognise a scam email?
A. Scam emails come in various forms - here are some tips to help avoid them:
They may include links purporting to be to official websites. If you hover your mouse over the link, your email program should show you where the link actually points to - which may be different to the address visible on your screen.

An email with an attached file could contain a virus or other malicious software - you should never open an email with an attachment unless you were expecting it.

Most major companies online, including ourselves, will never ask you to confirm personal details or confidential information by email or over an insecure website.

Finally, if you are in any doubt as to the authenticity of an email message, you should immediately forward a copy to your internet service provider's (ISP) abuse address. This is almost always abuse@yourisp.com - e.g. if your email account is with Hotmail, forward to abuse@hotmail.com. You should also forward a copy to the individual or organisation that the email claims to originate from.

Q. What is directlight doing about making sure that its own customers are protected against fraud?
A. As one of the web's fastest growing independent suppliers of indoor and outdoor decorative, utility and security lighting, we make sure that we are vigilant and pro-active when dealing with both you and your money online.

1. Directlight uses the most advanced web security currently available.

In association with NatWest Bank, We operate a checkout system that is protected by a 128-bit secure socket layer - this means ALL your information is securely encrypted before it ever leaves your computer.

2. Directlight fully complies with all current data protection and consumer legislation and will treat any personal information in confidence. We will never sell or pass on your personal details to any other company.

3. We will always follow up an order with a security phone check to protect you, even if the transaction only presents the slightest security risk - please don't be alarmed if we call you to verify your identity, it is one of our precautions to protect you from fraud.

directlight's online shopping guide - this applies to both ourselves and other online retailers.

Some handy tips when purchasing anything online:
All good websites will have all the relevant information displayed, somewhere easily accessible.

Check out any delivery charges first.

Send an email or make a phone call to clarify anything that you are uncertain about before ordering.

Ask for larger pictures if you are in doubt of the colour or shape of a product.

Make sure that you supply both mobile and landline contact telephone numbers when ordering, as this will allow the courier to contact you to make delivering easier and ensure you receive your goods in a timely manner.

Having placed an order always keep the confirmation email somewhere safe until you receive your delivery and are fully satisfied with your purchase.

Inspect the delivery straight away for any signs of damage. Notify the company ASAP of any problems and sign the delivery as DAMAGED if you suspect any problems.

Remember you have the right to return the goods within 7 working days of receipt - for any reason. This is your legal right.

Don't get fobbed off if they tell you to go to the manufacturer! If you have a problem, your contract is with the retailer, not their supplier!

Your rights are NOT affected if the item is bought in a sale - retailers can't get away with saying there are no refunds on sale goods if they prove faulty.

When did it break? The item has to have had a defect at the time of purchase. A claim could be made on a light fitting if it later develops a fault because of poor quality when it was manufactured. With any product, if things go wrong within the first six months after the purchase then it is presumed the fault was there at the time of sale.

If you can, get a gift receipt. This means that your friend or relative can take a present back themselves. If the retailer doesn't have gift receipts ask the shop to put the name of your friend or relative on the back of the receipt so they can return the present if they want to.

Security within your credit card. For most purchases online consider using your credit card. If something goes wrong with the purchase then you may be able to claim against the credit card company - invaluable if the retailer won't resolve a problem, or the retailer disappears from the web before delivering the goods you'd paid for.

Whilst all reasonable care has been taken to ensure that the information provided on this page is accurate and up-to-date, please note directlight.co.uk accepts no responsibility for any errors or inaccuracies.