| The best way to protect your money from Internet | | | | First, do not react too quickly. Make sure the product is |
| scams is to avoid them altogether. In a perfect world, | | | | not going to come. Sometimes it may be delayed in |
| you never would, but even the best of us get taken in | | | | shipping, so give the seller time to prove that they did, |
| once in a while. The most common type of scam is | | | | indeed, provide the product or service. Two weeks is |
| the one in which someone offers something for sale | | | | a good time frame for them to begin delivering what |
| online, takes your money, and then never delivers a | | | | you purchased. By waiting two weeks, you keep the |
| product. If this has happened to you, what can you do | | | | seller from having the chance to claim they had not |
| to get your money back? While going to court may be | | | | yet been able to send out the item. |
| the first thing you think of, this is time consuming and | | | | On the flip side, do not wait too long to file a report. If |
| expensive, so most people never go this route. | | | | you have already paid the bill, the credit card company |
| So how can you protect yourself to begin with? First, | | | | is not going to be as willing to help. Also, if you dispute |
| never use your debit card, check book, or bank | | | | a transaction out of thin air months after you paid it, |
| account number to make an online purchase from | | | | the credit card company may question your motives. |
| someone you know nothing about. If you are | | | | The seller will blame you for not making the claim |
| scammed, you will not be able to get your money | | | | earlier, and you will probably lose the battle. |
| back. Even if you can go to court, there is no | | | | When you correspond with the seller or your credit |
| guarantee that you will win. Your money is probably | | | | card company, keep records of all of the contacts you |
| gone. | | | | send or receive. The credit card company will expect |
| Instead, use your credit card when shopping online. | | | | you to take some steps to resolve the issue before |
| You can also protect yourself by using a third-party | | | | you contact them. You need proof that you have |
| payment gateway, like PayPal, to hide your credit card | | | | done the best you can to resolve the issue on your |
| number. This protects you by allowing you to use the | | | | own. You will find that most online scammers will not |
| credit card company's money, not yours, to make the | | | | respond to any of your contacts, whether by phone, |
| purchase. If the product does not come or is not up to | | | | email, or written mail. However, when the credit card |
| your standards, you can get the credit card company | | | | company asks whether or not you contacted the |
| to fight with you to get your money back. Most credit | | | | scammer, they will lie and say that you did not. So, you |
| card companies offer fraud protection, so you may | | | | must have records of the correspondence available. |
| not have to pay at all for the scam. | | | | Communicating via email makes it easy to keep track |
| How do you dispute a transaction on your credit card? | | | | of the messages you sent, and you will have the |
| First, call your credit card company and explain that | | | | necessary proofs at your disposal. |
| the product never arrived. They will put a hold on your | | | | Finally, do nothing to tip off the seller to the fact that |
| payment and send you an affidavit to sign. This will | | | | you are going to take action against them. Do not tell |
| place the burden of proof on the seller that the item | | | | them that you are going to contact your credit card |
| was mailed as promised. Your credit card company | | | | company. Do not issue any threats or open-ended |
| will recover the money from them if they cannot | | | | statements like "You will give me my money back, or |
| provide the necessary proof, and you will not be held | | | | else." Just be as courteous as you can, try to work |
| responsible for the payment. | | | | the situation out, and then turn to the credit card |
| Make usre you handle this process correctly, because | | | | company if you need to. Giving them a clue as to |
| these scammers will take advantage of any mistake | | | | what you are about to do will give them the chance to |
| you make. They will likely try to put the blame on you | | | | begin preparing their defense against you, so keep it |
| so that they can keep your money. They may even | | | | silent. When the credit card company comes calling, it |
| accuse you of dishonesty in the process. Make sure | | | | will serve as a great surprised to those crooks who |
| you do not give them fuel for their fire. | | | | were about to run with your money! |