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In my many years, I have run
across quite a few people that refuse to buy anything online
because they are afraid of fraud. You are almost as likely to
be struck by lightning than you are to being a victim of
internet fraud, as long as you follow 4 simple and easy to
remember rules.
1. Use a secure browser
If you don't see one of
the following images in your browser, while you are on the
screen to enter your credit card info, then you know the
site isn't secure and should not be trusted to transmit such
sensitive data over the internet.
| Browser: |
Internet Explorer 7 |
| Image: |
 |
| Location: |
To the Right of the Address bar |
| Browser: |
Mozilla Firefox 2.0 |
| Image: |
 |
| Location: |
Lower right corner of browser |
| Browser: |
Previous versions of Internet Explorer |
| Image: |
 |
| Location: |
Lower Right Corner of browser |
Internet Explorer 7 and
above and Mozilla Firefox 2.0 and above are very secure
browsers, provided you don't have spyware and/or keyloggers on
your computer that may record keystrokes. See the
Spyware section of this guide to
prevent this. These and other browsers may look different, as
these are only examples.
2. Shop with companies you know
Unless you have been under
a rock you have heard of Amazon or EBay. I'm not saying stick
with only these two. Just don't trust every site on the
internet. They can have poor security and allow you info to
be stolen or could be thieves themselves.
See this sites
Marketplace. It only
has approved, safe sites to shop from.
If you would like to
investigate a company you want to give your business, check to
see if they are listed in the Better
Business Bureau's large database. Their website is easy
to remember. www.bbb.com Note:
If it's not listed at bbb.com, it does not automatically
mean you shouldn't buy from them!
3. Pay with a Credit Card
Never use online checks or
debit cards. They provide a thief with a direct line to your
bank account. In case of unauthorized use of a your credit
card, you are "usually" only held liable for the first
$50 in charges, although some bank accounts and debit cards
may provide additional purchase protection benefits.
The use of prepaid
debit/credit and gift cards are strongly recommended!
4. Keep your private information private
Never submit your SSN to
any site to buy anything, unless it's from a site that you
have typed into your browser that ends with .GOV
You may also try
Identity Guard. It
provides up to $20,000 in Identity Theft insurance
Currently this is the end of the Guide but
check back often. Things get added or updated regularly.
Feel free to join the newsletter on the home page or the first
page of this Guide.
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