|
It's always a good idea to read the website's privacy policy to find out what they plan to do with your
personal information. Do they share it to other outside services? Do they keep it in a database? Do they
discard it after a period of time? Asking these questions can help you ensure you don't get scammed or
hassled online.
Experts also recommend not responding to unsolicited offers that show up in your e-mail box. Scammers
frequently send out mass e-mails pretending to be banks that ask their customers to enter their personal
account details into a website. Banks and reputable companies don't ask their customers for passwords or
account details in an email. Banks or e-commerce companies generally personalise emails, while phishers
do not. Phishing emails contain false but brow raising words such as "urgent - your account details may
have been stolen" to invoke an immediate reaction from you.
When making purchases online, know what you are buying, how much is to be charged to your card and what
company name will show up on your bill. Then check your credit card statement as soon as it arrives to
ensure there have been no unauthorized transactions. A phone call to your credit card company is quicker
than waiting for your credit card statement. If you notice a strange activity, call your credit card
company immediately. Check your credit card statements and bank accounts periodically as some companies
may continue to charge you for services you already paid for or have cancelled.
When entering any information look for a padlock. On a secure website, you usually should see a small
padlock. The lock appears in different spots depending on what Internet browser you use. A closed and
"locked" padlock means a website is secure, while an open padlock means it isn't.
Whether you are shopping or surfing online, it is important to protect your computer. Just like you would
buy the latest burglar alarm system for you home to protect yourself and your possessions, it is vital to
purchase the latest anti-virus software to protect yourself and your personal financial information. As
important as purchasing and installing the anti-virus software on your computer, is keeping it up-to-date.
Identity theft is a booming white collar crime, and as companies are finding better ways to improve protection
software, identity thieves are also working hard to come up with ways to crack the system. Use a personal
firewall in-conjunction with your anti-virus software for double the protection.
Online shopping security is improving dramatically and many sites have added extra precautions, such as
asking you for a password, or to enter other information directly from your credit card, but it's always a
good idea to be vigilant when entering your credit card or debit card details online.
|
