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Online Shopping
Elizabeth Bowles, President Aristotle.net
Shopping on the Internet can be a wonderful experience - gifts are easy to find, are often cheaper than in stores, and can be shipped directly (wrapped and with a card) to the recipient. Not only is online shopping convenient; it can also be secure, provided you are doing business with a vendor you know and trust. Since not everything on the Internet is safe, it is very important for online shoppers to take steps to protect their personal information, especially during the holiday season.
Spam and "Phishing" Scams on the Rise
The volume of spam (unsolicited email) has dramatically increased this year, and spammers and criminals alike are targeting holiday shoppers. A particularly dangerous scam involves emails that look as if they were sent by a legitimate company when, in fact, they come from criminals who are interested in stealing a consumer's identity. The emails often appear to be quite genuine and sometimes even link to phony websites that look like the real thing. These fake websites can look exactly like the real websites of the companies they are mimicking. On the fake site, consumers are asked to enter personal information, including name, address, social security number, credit card number and even the three-digit code from the back of the credit card. This practice is called "phishing," and it cost U.S. banks and financial institutions billions of dollars last year.
Online Shopping Tips
How can you protect yourself from these types of Internet scams? Follow these tips for making your online shopping experience safer:
Never click on an unsolicited email. If you are interested in the product mentioned in a piece of spam, go to an Internet search engine, like Google, and search for a legitimate company that sells the same product. DO NOT click on any link in the email itself. Don't fall victim to scare tactics (or urgency). "Phish" emails will often attempt to hook someone by stating that there is a problem with their account information or with their order. If you have any questions about an email you have received, pick up the phone and call your financial institution. DO NOT use the phone number included in the email itself - look up the number in the phone book or on your statement to get the correct number. Be suspicious of any email that asks you for personal financial information. Legitimate companies generally will not ask for this information via email unless solicited to do so by you. The same holds true for any email purporting to be from a foreign dignitary or promising wealth if you act quickly. If you are submitting information to a website, look for the padlock or key symbol in the bottom right-hand corner of the screen AND be sure that the URL has "https:" in the website address. These indicate that the website is secure. The latest phishing email features a graphic of the secure key inside the email. Don't be fooled. Only the key symbol at the bottom of your browser and the "https" in the website address assure that the site is secure. If you receive a "phish" email, report it immediately to your ISP. Aristotle customers can report such emails by forwarding the email header information to support@aristotle.net. Also forward the scam email to your local Attorney General's office and the FTC (spam@uce.gov). Finally, monitor your bank and credit card statements carefully. If you believe for any reason you may have fallen victim to a scam, notify your financial institutions and credit card companies immediately.
Shopping on the Internet is convenient and fun. It is also safe, if you take the proper precautions. If you only deal with sites you know and trust and never click on a link in a spam email, your online shopping experience can be a pleasant one.
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