| Even the savvy consumer can be scammed. There | | | | any credit card information to unsolicited e-mails |
| are certain situations in which we may be more | | | | requesting donations. Be aware that these scammers |
| vulnerable to a scammer's ploy. According to | | | | will use similar names to the real organization's name, if |
| Scambusters, "In the wake of the earthquakes in Chile | | | | this is the case, look them up on the phonebook or do |
| and Haiti, we wanted to remind you that whenever | | | | some research first. It is best to donate to a |
| there is a major natural or other disaster, scammers | | | | well-known relief organization instead. |
| begin sending out charity relief scams and other | | | | - Work from home (upfront investment required): Most |
| scams almost immediately." | | | | of these programs will request you to pay for a |
| The 2009 Internet Crime Report states the reported | | | | package that will provide you with the information "you |
| losses from online fraud reached nearly $560 million in | | | | need" in order to make the big bucks. Be wary of |
| 2009. The most popular types of scam included | | | | these companies and do your research before getting |
| attempted identity theft using the FBI's name. | | | | involved with them. |
| In the age of new technology, where an increasing | | | | - Spam (viruses, pop ups): Make sure the software, |
| amount of transactions happen in cyberspace, | | | | applications and files you download from the internet |
| consumers need to remain a step ahead of the | | | | come from trustworthy sources. Aside from the risk |
| scammers. So how does one protect oneself from | | | | of obtaining a virus and corrupting all your files, some |
| being deceived? | | | | malicious files can install spyware, in which the authors |
| Geeks On Site has compiled a list of precautions | | | | are able to collect any information you enter into your |
| every computer user should familiarize themselves | | | | computer, such as credit card numbers, without your |
| with: | | | | consent. Unknown software might also install adware, |
| | | | in which the user's browsing preferences are tracked |
| 1. Understand how scam artists operate | | | | in order to display unwanted advertisement via |
| 2. Manage and protect your personal data | | | | banners and pop-ups. |
| 3. Never open attachments from unknown senders | | | | - E-mail scams (fake lottery and prizes): You might |
| 4. Be very cautious when performing transactions | | | | receive an e-mail stating that you won a lottery or that |
| online | | | | you were "selected randomly" for a prize. They will |
| 5. Check your bank statements regularly for | | | | request a fee to be paid upfront in order to get the |
| unauthorized transactions | | | | prize, and of course, you will not see any money. |
| 6. Do not download unknown software or applications | | | | - Online purchase fraud (eBay): Be aware that on sites |
| 7. Check store/seller's reviews if purchasing items | | | | like eBay, you are dealing with suppliers and individuals. |
| online | | | | Avoid ending up with a product that is not exactly |
| 8. Change your passwords regularly | | | | what you expected, or having to pay for merchandise |
| Geeks On Site is eager to share tips to protect | | | | that did not arrive. Before you purchase anything, |
| yourself from various scams that are common on the | | | | check the sellers' ratings and read the buyers' reviews. |
| Internet. Some more popular scams are as follows: | | | | Make sure you read the item description thoroughly |
| - Identity theft (phishing) and credit card fraud (fake | | | | and ask any questions before you commit to buying |
| purchases): Do not reply to any e-mails requesting | | | | an item, as in some cases returns are not accepted. If |
| your bank account/credit card information. Legitimate | | | | the transaction does not get resolved after further |
| banks and credit card companies will not request such | | | | negotiation with the seller, you can always file a |
| confidential information via e-mail. If in doubt, contact | | | | dispute; but it might take a while to get your money |
| your bank/credit card company. | | | | back. |
| - Charity relief (natural disasters): Do not reply or send | | | | |