Don't Fall Victim to Internet Fraud-10 Tips For Safer SurfingWritten by Eric Buck
The Internet offers a global marketplace for consumers and businesses. However, criminals also recognize potential of cyberspace. The same scams that have reached us by telephone and in our mailbox can now be found on World Wide Web and in email. Organizations such as National Fraud Information Center have emerged to help people recognize shady schemes in order to prevent further victims.According to Internet Fraud Complaint Center (IFCC), a partnership between National White Collar Crime Center and FBI, number of fraud victims is in hundreds of thousands and total dollars lost are in hundreds of millions, and rising at an exponential rate. A search on Google for "internet fraud" results in over 3,200,000 listings at time of this writing! It is difficult sometimes to tell difference between reputable online sellers and criminals who use Internet to separate people from their money. You can protect yourself by learning how to recognize danger signs of fraud. If you are a victim of Internet fraud, it is important to file a complaint with IFCC at http://www.ifccfbi.gov/ quickly so that law enforcement agencies can quickly shut down fraudulent operations. ·Know whom you're dealing with. If seller or charity is unfamiliar, check with your state or local consumer protection agency and Better Business Bureau (http://www.bbb.org/). Search Federal Trade Commission website (http://www.ftc.gov/) for company or organization that you are considering doing business with. Some Web sites have feedback forums, which can provide useful information about other people's experiences with particular sellers. Get physical address and phone number (and actually make a call before you give them money-to make sure that phone number is correct) in case there is a problem later. ·Guard your personal information. Make sure that any website that requires sensitive information is encrypted. An encrypted website usually has a yellow padlock symbol somewhere on page, typically at bottom. Don't provide your credit card or bank account number unless you are actually paying for something. Your social security number should not be necessary unless you are applying for credit. Be especially suspicious if someone claiming to be from a company with whom you have an account asks for information that business already has. ·Pay safest way. Credit cards are safest way to pay for online purchases because you can dispute charges if you never receive your order, or if offer was misrepresented. Federal law limits your liability to $50 if someone makes unauthorized charges to your account, and most credit card issuers will remove them completely if you report problem promptly. ·Look for information about how complaints are handled. It can be difficult to resolve complaints, especially if seller or charity is located in another country. Look on their website for information about programs that require standards for reliability and assistance in handling disputes with which company or organization participates.
| | Keeping Passwords SafeWritten by Sharon Housley
Keeping Your Passwords Secure As web has evolved, so have methods of collecting personal information. A large number of websites require visitors to register to gain access or participate. While need for registration is understandable, tracking user names and passwords can be burdensome. Consider using software to store your passwords, in a safe accessible manner.Most websites have privacy policies, but value of privacy statements are only as honorable as people behind websites. Here are suggestions for keeping passwords and your information secure: 1.) change your password frequently 2.) never share your password with anyone 3.) try to choose a password so it doesn't need to be written down, but not so obvious others would easily guess password
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