ONLINE PROTECTION FOR BUYERS & SELLERS!
There are many different types of online websites where you can go and purchase just about anything you want. But according to a 2005 Internet Census collected by a private organization. Internet shopping has become one of Americas quickest scams. With over 90% of the worlds population having access to the World Wide Web there are many people who Buy & Sell on a daily basis. There are a few Major Things to look for when you Buy or Sell anything on a Website/Auction Site or Affiliates.
(1) Always make sure the website you are on has a Secure SSL Certificate. You can always tell by looking at the ottom right hand part of your screen. If you see a little padlock down there it means that website has been Authenticated and provided a SSL certificate. Example: PAYPAL when you go to PayPals home page you will notice a few different Authentication symbols on the bottom.
VeriSign & Trust-E! these 2 companys are (in my opinion) the best and most secure ways of telling weather or not the website has been authenticated and approved by a Authentication Service. if you go to a website & you see a Verisign Logo just simply click on it. if it is a legitimate logoit will bring up another page with the business information, seal approval, ssl encrytion , and it will also say the website has been identy approved!
The biggest form of online fraud is with Credit Cards. It has become easier & easier for people to obtain credit card information with out you knowing about it. Which brings us back to the Little Lock on the bottom of you Page. If you see that lock it means this website has either a 128 SSL or 256 SSL certificate which means this website has an encryption that allows ONLY the CREDIT CARD COMPANYS to see who and/or what you purchased. Not even the owner of the website will receieve your personal credit card information.
The smartest way to keep your identity & banking information safe is to have a responsible merchant account who offers FDIC Insurance on your money/funds. There are many different types of merchant accounts. The best one i have seen is PayPal & 2checkout Both comapnys have 100% FDIC insurance for both Buyers & Sellers.
When you are purchasing from a website who accepts paypal. You always want to make sure the URL starts with a PayPal Valid URL. If they ask you to enter your paypal email address & password on their website DON'T DO IT!! Report them directly to PayPal All transactions used by paypal will be directly on the PAYPAL WEBSITE. Paypal will NEVER ask for your personal information, password, username, or banking information in E-mails or On Other Websites. SO BE CAREFUL AND READ EVERYTHING ON THE WEBSITE!
If you are un-sure about any transactions please login to your paypal account immediatly and notify them of any issues. If you receieve any kind of emails from ebay,paypal or any other website that you are un-sure of. just simply go to their web site and login to your account. If it is Important enough their will be a notification once you first login. NEVER click on links in emails that seem to good to be true or you are unsure of.
Most Of All Just Use YOUR BEST JUDGEMENT! If you think its not safe then IT PROBABLY ISNT! If it seems to good to be true then it PROBABLY IS!!
NEVER GIVE YOUR PERSONAL INFORMATION OR BANKING INFORMATION TO ANYONE VIAL-EMAIL. If they want it then go o their site make sure they have a SSL certificate & proceed that way.
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