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INTERNET FRAUD TIPS
Know who you’re dealing with.
If the company is unfamiliar, check with your state or local consumer protection agency and the Better Business Bureau. Get the business address and phone number of the company in case there is a problem later.
Don’t believe promises of easy money.
If someone claims that you can earn money with little or no work, get a loan or credit card even if you have bad credit, or make money on
an investment with little or no risk, it’s probably a scam.
Understand the offer.
A legitimate seller will give you all the details about the products or services, the total price, the delivery time, the refund and
cancellation policies, and the terms of any warranty.
Resist pressure.
Legitimate
companies and charities will be happy to give you time to make a decision. It’s probably a scam if they demand that you act immediately or won’t take “no” for an answer.
Guard your personal information.
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 applying for credit. Be especially suspicious if someone claiming to be from a company with whom you have an account asks for information that the business already has.
Pay the safest way.
Credit cards are the safest way to pay for online purchases because you can dispute the charges if you never get the goods or services or
the 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 the
problem promptly. There are new technologies, such as “substitute” credit card numbers and password programs that can offer extra measures of protection from someone else using your credit card.
Watch the address bar at the top of the computer screen.
At the point that you are asked to provide your financial account information, the letters at the beginning of the address will change to
either “https” or “shttp”, depending on the security system the web site uses.
(To make sure you can see the first letters, highlight the address, click either the left or
right arrow key, and then click the home key.)
Pay off-line
If
you’re still not sure whether it’s safe to give your credit card information online, make your payment by mail or telephone.
Your browser shows if the web site is secure.
Look for a symbol at the bottom of your computer screen such as a broken key that becomes whole or a lock that closes. The
“help” section on your browser software or in your manual should describe any feature that confirms that proper security is being used.
DON’T send your credit card number or other sensitive information by e-mail, since it is not
usually secure.
Be cautious about unsolicited e-mails.
They are often fraudulent. If you are familiar with the company that sent you the e-mail and you don’t want to receive further
messages, send a reply asking to be removed from their e-mail list. However, responding to unknown senders may simply verify that yours is a working e-mail address and result in even more unwanted
messages from strangers. The best approach may simply be to delete the e-mail.
Avoid catching a “virus” on your computer.
Don’t open attachments to e-mails from strangers. There may be a virus planted in the attachment that could damage your computer
programs or files. It could also expose sensitive information you may have stored in your computer, such as financial accounts, to prying eyes. Viruses may also be hidden in programs you download from
the Internet. Consider using and regularly updating anti-virus software on your computer that can alert you to possible infection.
Beware of “dangerous” downloads.
In downloading programs to see pictures, hear music, play games, etc., you could download a virus that wipes our your computer files or
connects your modem to a foreign telephone number, resulting in expensive phone charges. Only download programs from web sites you know and trust. Read all user agreements carefully.
Security precautions when you have broadband Internet access.
Broadband services, which provide faster access to the Internet, are increasingly available through telephone companies, cable companies
and by satellite. If you have broadband service, you’re always connected to the Internet when your computer is turned on. You can protect yourself by using a ‘firewall”, special
software that creates a barrier so unauthorized people can’t get into your computer system.
As always, contact the Greenfield Police Department,
(414) 761-5300, with further questions.
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