It isn’t unusual these days to hear about someone losing large amounts of money through buying and selling on the internet.  It is a real concern, but there are ways to avoid becoming a victim.  Here are some tips on how to safely buy and sell on the internet and still enjoy doing business from the comfort of your own home.  (more…)

I was prompted to write this article to warn people of these types of emails.  I have been doing business online for years and yesterday I received another one of these emails and was scared when I first saw it.  Here’s the email and Boy do they make it look so real.    (more…)

One of the latest phishing schemes is emails announcing that you have just received an online greeting card. They arrive in your in-box with subject headings like, “You’ve received an ecard (or greeting ecard) from a Neighbour (College, Family Member, Class Mate or other person)!”Now there are indeed legitimate greeting card companies that people use to send online ecards.

However, inside the email, you get two ways to get the ecard: clicking a link or accessing the companies’ website and enter with an access code that’s included in the email.However, these fake ecards with phishing schemes basically send you a link – and it’s full of mumbo-jumbo like lots and lots of numbers. And there’s no main website with a log in combination (user ID and password). The goal: to capture your personal and financial information (whatever they can get). (more…)

Most financial institutions offer online banking services now. However, not all of them are safe. And not all online entities who claim to be financial institutions - and safe ones at that - are, in this world of online theft, especially identity theft. So remember these safe practices for your online banking.

1) Check out financial institutions online thoroughly before pursuing any type of online banking with them. Begin by searching the About Us or Contact Us web page on the site to find street address (not a P.O. Box), phone number and other complete info. Then check the Better Business Bureau website at www.bbb.org  to make sure there are no or very little legitimate complaints filed against the company’s website link and address.

2) As you register for accounts, you should be prompted to click a confirmation link inside a reply email. So watch for it. And afterwards, always log in to the site from your browser, not any email links. Too many thieves and unscrupulous people pose as financial entities in fake emails, inviting you to click their links and submit your access info (user name and password). Then they log in the real banking site and steal your identity and funds. So beware! And when in doubt, call the bank direct - -not from the number on the email, but from the real website or other documentation you have on file (like an invoice or statement that arrived in the postal mail). (more…)