Online E-commerce has opened up a whole new world of opportunity for shoppers, investors, business people, and crooks. Here are some tips from the FEC on how to protect your self, your identity, and your money while online.
Difficulty: Average
Time Required: 5 minutes
Here's How:
- Never disclose private information unless you are sure who's collecting it and why.
- Never give out your passwords.
- Be wary of any online business that does not give an email address or have a customer service Web page.
- Can you really "earn $50,000 a month without leaving home?" Of course not. If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is.
- If you send a credit card number to a Web site, make sure it is to a "secure" server.
- Check your browser's encryption settings. (See "Encryption and Virus Protection" in Related features.)
- Install an anti-virus program before you go online and keep it updated. (See "Encryption and Virus protection" in Related Features.)
- Be very wary of downloading any ".EXE" program files Make sure you know their source and exactly what they are going to do.
- Install "filtering" software to protect your family against inappropriate Web site content.
Tips:
- To complain about or report illegal or deceptive online practices, call the Federal Trade Commission at toll-free 1-877-FTC-HELP (382-4357).
