__________________________________________Ask the DA

A number of readers have written to complain about various consumer frauds perpetrated on the Internet. Generally speaking, when buying or bidding on goods online, you should be careful about divulging your personal financial information. You should also be careful in selecting the vendors with whom you deal. To avoid being defrauded by online vendors, keep the following guidelines in mind:

• Restrict your purchases to vendors you know you can trust or nationally-known sellers.

• Always make sure a website is secure before providing any financial information. Secured websites can be identified by the yellow locked padlock or key icon appearing at the bottom of your browser’s window or at web addresses preceded by the letters “https.”

• Do not give out personal financial information to vendors unless you are absolutely certain your contact is legitimate.

• Use antivirus software, a firewall and anti-spyware to keep your computer safe and secure and update these programs regularly to protect against the latest threats.

• Use a secure, reputable online payment service. You can also make purchases by credit card, which, unlike a debit card, offers some protection in case a dispute arises.

• Print a record of what you pay for and always cross-check your online purchases with your bank or credit card statement to make sure no unauthorized charges appear.

• Do not keep your personal financial information, including account passwords, on your computer. Use a USB flash drive instead.

• Turn your computer off when you are not using it. If your computer is left on, scammers can install software and control it remotely to commit cyber crime.

• If you have been defrauded by a company online, contact your local police precinct to file a complaint.

Visit OnGuardOnline.gov or staysafeonline.org to learn more about security software, firewalls and other ways to secure your computer. To sign up for free cyber alerts and tips from the Department of Homeland Security, visit US-CERT.gov.

For additional information visit www.brooklynda.org. To have your questions answered in a future column, send them to asktheda@brooklynda.org.

| HOME