| Online identity theft is a serious crime that can clean | | | | For peace of mind, find out if the online store |
| out your life savings | | | | voluntarily belongs |
| and leave you with a damaged credit history that | | | | to a seal-of-approval program that sets |
| may take years to repair. | | | | privacy-related guidelines; such |
| In the interim, obtaining loans, renting apartments, and | | | | as, the Better Business Bureau Online ( |
| even applying | | | | or TRUSTe ( Cards VS. Debit Cards, Cash VS. |
| for work can become increasingly difficult. Here is | | | | Checks |
| what you can do to | | | | Because of the federal Fair Credit Billing Act, credit |
| protect yourself:Internet and computer safeguards: | | | | cards are the |
| Before you shop online, install and Update spyware | | | | safest way to shop online. Under this law you have |
| and virus protection | | | | the right to withhold |
| utilities to prevent a worm, virus or spyware program | | | | payments on disputed charges. It is good practice to |
| from sending out | | | | use one credit card |
| files or other stored information from your computer. | | | | when purchasing online to more readily track |
| Install a firewall | | | | fraudulent charges.Personal checks make you |
| on your home computer to prevent hackers from | | | | susceptible to bank fraud. Money orders may |
| obtaining personal identifying | | | | prevent this but do not offer additional protection in |
| and financial data from your hard drive. Encrypt | | | | the event of problems |
| sensitive files.Before discarding your computer, use a | | | | with your order.Use an actual credit card, not an ATM |
| strong "wipe" utility to remove | | | | debit or check card. As with checks, |
| all recoverable data.Find Out About the Company | | | | an ATM card may open your personal banking |
| If you are unfamiliar with the company, research it | | | | information to criminals. Debit |
| before buying from | | | | cards are not protected to the same extent as credit |
| them. If you decide to purchase something from an | | | | cards. If you have |
| unknown retailer, start | | | | to use a debit card, consider using one with a limited |
| out with an inexpensive test order to see if the | | | | balance that you |
| company comes through.Trustworthy companies | | | | use solely for online purchases.Keep Your Password |
| advertise their real business address and phone | | | | Private |
| number, or customer service line. See if they are listed | | | | Reputable e-commerce sites may require the |
| on the Internet | | | | shopper to log-in by creating |
| yellow pages.Call the company directly to determine if | | | | a username and a password before placing or |
| their business is genuine. | | | | viewing an order. Never reveal |
| Find out how the merchant handles returns.Read their | | | | your password to anyone. When selecting a |
| Privacy Policy | | | | password, do not use commonly |
| Reputable e-commerce sites should offer a Privacy | | | | known information, such as your birth date, or driver's |
| Policy explaining | | | | license number. |
| how your personal information may be shared with | | | | Do not reuse the same password for other sites. A |
| third parties. To prevent | | | | good password has at |
| unwanted e-mail ("spam"), junk mail, or phone calls, | | | | least eight characters and includes both letters and |
| read their privacy | | | | numbers.Do NOT Give Out Your Social Security |
| policies before submitting your personal | | | | Number |
| information.Verify the Web Site Address | | | | There is no reason for any merchant to ask for your |
| Cyber-criminals have been known to create | | | | Social Security |
| counterfeit sites that look | | | | number. It is not a requirement for purchasing |
| like authentic, well-established companies. Check the | | | | online.Disclose as Little Information as Possible |
| website address at | | | | Merchants often try to obtain more information about |
| the top of the screen, when you first visit an online | | | | you than necessary. |
| store and check if | | | | They may want to know your leisurely activities, |
| it is the same as the real company's.Shop on Secured | | | | income or interests. This |
| Transaction Protected Sites | | | | information may be used for marketing purposes and |
| A secure site uses encryption technology to transfer | | | | can lead to "spam", |
| information from | | | | junk mail and telemarketers.Only answer questions |
| your computer to the online merchant's computer. | | | | you deem are required to process your order. Often, |
| There are a couple of | | | | required questions will be marked with an asterisk |
| ways to discern whether a site is secure.At the time | | | | (*).Print a Hard Copy of Your Order |
| of entering personal credit card information, look at | | | | After placing an order, you should be directed to a |
| the address bar to see The "s" after "http" indicates | | | | confirmation page |
| secure. | | | | that reviews your entire order along with customer |
| Often, you will not see the "s" until time of check | | | | service information |
| out.Another way to know if a web site is secure is to | | | | and a confirmation number. Keep it for your records |
| look for a closed | | | | for at least the period |
| padlock displayed at the bottom of your screen. If that | | | | covered by the return/warranty policy.Often you will |
| lock is open, you | | | | also receive a confirmation e-mail. Be sure to keep it |
| should assume it is not a secure site. Some browsers | | | | in your inbox along with any other correspondence |
| indicate a secure | | | | until you are satisfied |
| site with an unbroken key.Shop in the USA | | | | with your purchase.For more on Identity Theft, vist |
| By shopping in the U.S., you are protected by both | | | | SpyFind's ID Theft Center, |
| federal and state | | | | Banks serves as valuable team contributor to the |
| consumer laws. Consumer protection is often | | | | SpyFind Information Network. For more related articles, |
| unavailable in other countries.Seal of Approval | | | | visit SpyFind. |