The link appeared safe, but you were taken to a site designed to defraud you. Reputable companies will rarely ask for personal information via email so examine every incoming email for validity.

Third, when purchasing from an online business, ensure information is encrypted upon hitting submit. Encryption, in short, ensures private information you submit online is kept safe. When at your browser, you can recognize an encrypted form when root URL starts with “https:” instead of “http:” or seeing padlock present in bottom right corner of your screen. Purchasing from companies having added security measures in place can ensure your private information avoids hands of ill-willed people.

Fourth, read and understand privacy policy of sites you patron. The Better Business Bureau possesses a strict policy for members who do business online. A privacy statement must be displayed on company’s website, no exceptions. High business practices are a necessity for maintaining trust of online buyers; and BBB understands critical importance of trust among consumers.

A privacy statement outlines what type of customer information is collected and how it’s used. Alliances and partnerships, for example, arrange for Company A to sell or pass on client information to Company B. The information transferred or sold could be basic, like name and email address, or far more in-depth like name, address, social security number, and phone number. No matter how basic or detailed information, company must have logistics spelled out in their privacy policy.

Last, studies have shown that an estimated 80% of online fraud goes unreported. Go “against grain” and fall into minority of 20%. If proper authorities aren’t aware of magnitude of fraud that actually exists on Internet, then getting much-needed funds to battle problem will take more time. The Internet Fraud Complaint Center (ifccfbi.gov) has an online complaint feature for individuals to report phishing attacks. The IFCC report process requires basic information, including information on perpetrator and type of fraud.

In addition to filing a complaint, forward fraudulent email to legitimate company. Phishing is smearing good names of countless companies, and notifying company about scam can also help fight. Companies brought onboard will ensure well-rounded efforts to this epidemic.

Avoid giving your information out freely. Whether you’re at end of a phishing attack or job application requires more information than you’re willing to provide, proceed with caution. Much like you’ll analyze job opportunities; intensely examine each person who receives your personal information. With safe online practices, you’ll get best return from your job-search efforts — instead of spending hours filing a police report and calling credit bureaus and credit card companies.

Teena Rose is a certified and published resume writer and author of "20-Minute Cover Letter Fixer" and "Cracking the Code to Pharmaceutical Sales."

Update your resume and start scanning for potential employers. Remember, I mentioned above about reading newspapers and business publications? Those same publications can be a huge asset to you while you’re job searching, because they also tell you what companies are expanding, landing big contracts, and expecting to see growth. Look at industries (possibly outside your current one) that aren’t facing job losses because you don’t want to jump from one sinking ship to another.

Get your financial affairs in order. Unemployment and severance will help for a short time, but prepare for being unemployed much longer, even if your company plans to call you back. It’s difficult to foresee who will obtain a job immediately or actual timeframe in which you’ll be called back, so prepare for worst-case scenario. Save more money than ever before, and sell assets that no longer benefit you or depreciate (lose value) consistently over time. Selling an unused boat, for example, can offer enough money to support your family for a few weeks up to a couple of months. Much as a business expands and contracts, you will find it necessary to do so also.

Cut back on frills and wants. If your company is cutting back, you should too. Controllable, and unnecessary, expenses include morning cappuccinos or dining out for lunch. With jaw-dropping gas prices, a person could easily save $20 to $80 a week by carpooling to work.

By tightening belt, your hard-earned dollars will stretch farther and will make your job search less stressful. One of biggest killers for surviving job loss, in my opinion, is desperation. When funds run dry or drastically low, jobseekers become desperate and make critical mistakes during their job search. Don’t put yourself on that path.

Approach your HR department with a “what if” scenario to determine if outplacement services would be offered should company announce an official layoff. It’s unlikely that your human resources department will offer-up details about an upcoming layoff, so pitch a “if there was a layoff” scenario and determine what company’s actions would be.

Will you be able to cover your expenses at half your salary? Since unemployment rates hover around 50% of your current wage, sit down and create a detailed spreadsheet that includes your forecasted amount of unemployment in relation to monthly expenses.

Identifying warning signs for workforce changes will provide necessary time to plan and prepare. Taking control of situation, before it takes control of you, will make a huge difference.

Teena Rose is a certified and published resume writer and author of "20-Minute Cover Letter Fixer" and "Cracking the Code to Pharmaceutical Sales."