'Tis the season to shop, shop and shop some more, both in stores and online. Since so many people are spending lots of money for the holidays, fraudsters are laughing all the way to the bank... or where ever they hide their ill-gotten loot.
We at AlertPay hear sad stories every day of how innocent people get duped by criminals who will stoop to any level to make a buck. In response, we would like to offer some tips that will help protect you when shopping online during the holidays:
• Be aware of "phishing": Phishing is when someone attempts to procure highly sensitive information by phone or email under the guise of a reputable company. Banks, credit card issuers, government agencies, etc... will never ask for this information by email.
• Make your online payments through a secure payment processor, like AlertPay: With AlertPay, your information is always safe! You can make online payments without the risk of exposing sensitive personal information.
• Look for "https" in the address bar: This is one assurance that the website is secure. With some browsers, the address bar may turn green and/or display a lock icon.
• Use different passwords for different sites: Using the same password everywhere increases your chances of encountering fraud and identity theft.
• Keep your anti-virus up-to-date: Install the latest software and browser updates, block your wireless networks, use a firewall and regularly scan for viruses.
You can find even more online safety tips through the following links:
- Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP)
- Federal Trade Commission
- United States Department of Justice
- Hoax Slayer
- Safeshopping.org
- Microsoft Password Checker
Shop safely, have fun and be vigilant. Happy Holidays!
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