Ask for a receipt and save it.  Protect your personal information—by law, a customer’s receipt must not show the credit card’s expiration date or more than its last five digits.

Check store payment and refund policies. It is illegal for stores to not accept cash payments and charge consumers who pay in cash a higher price for the same retail item than consumers who pay by credit card or other cashless method. Stores must also post a sign detailing their refund policy. If they don’t, you are entitled to a refund within 30 days of your purchase.

Protect yourself online. If you are planning to do your back-to-school shopping online, make sure to shop on secure websites only. Use familiar websites or research and read reviews of new websites and check that links start with https (not just http; the “s” stands for secure) or have a padlock icon. Avoid typing your personal information when using unsecured Wi-Fi. Also, don’t click on links in unsolicited e-mails or on social media sites—type the address directly into your browser. Visit OnGuardOnline.govfor more information on how to be safe, secure, and responsible online.

Teach your children about credit and how it works. Explain that credit cards are not “free money,” and that what you pay for with the card must be paid back with interest. Teach them about paying minimum balances versus the full balance and about the consequences of using a credit card irresponsibly.

Know your rights and responsibilities when it comes to student loans. Whether you are considering student loans for yourself or your child or already have student loan debt, be sure to read DCWP’s tips and resources at [nyc.gov/StudentLoans](http://nyc.gov/StudentLoans).