We are coming into the season when people seek their happiness at your expense. Tis the season to be on your guard, see: Crime Watch: Don’t let real-life grinches steal your Christmas presents, By Carmen Gonzalez Caldwell.
See last year's post regarding Cyber Monday online shopping safety also from Carmen Caldwell: Crime Watch: Precautions make online shopping safer (article still available online, 11/21/12, Miami Herald.
This article addresses Cyber Monday — the Monday after Thanksgiving, when many people buy gifts from online sellers.
The tips are really applicable full time, year round, shopping over the Internet and not just to Cyber Monday.
• Plan ahead.
• Know the retailer’s return and exchange policies. • Read the fine print.
• Check your order twice before confirming a purchase.
• Start a file folder.
As Ms. Caldwell advises: … the FBI is reminding people this holiday season that cyber criminals continue to aggressively seek ways to steal money and personal information. Scammers are using several techniques to fool potential victims including sending unsolicited emails that contain false information by setting up spoofing websites that look like legitimate commercial sites and unleashing phishing and vishing (theft using voice-over-Internet technology) attacks where individuals receive emails or phone calls asking for personal data. So it’s important not to open anything that looks suspicious. Use that “delete” key immediately.
These cyber-scammers will do whatever they can to steal your money and personal information this holiday season and are trying many different ways to commit these crimes, according to the FBI.
For more information on e-scams, please visit the FBI’s webpage www.fbi.gov. You also should visit the National Crime Prevention Council for more tips on Holiday shopping at www.ncpc.org.
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Happy Holidays. Have fun and stay safe!
Happy Holidays. Have fun and stay safe!
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