__________________________________________Ask the DA

 

I do so much more shopping online during the holidays--are there any security tips that you can share to help stay safe while shopping online? 

ONLINE HOLIDAY SHOPPING SECURITY RECOMMENDATIONS

¨       Never open links or emails from strangers.

¨       Protect your computer with the latest firewalls and anti-virus software.

¨       When entering personal information secure your transactions by looking for the “lock” symbol located next to the web address, and “https” in the website address bar.  The “s” and key symbol represents that the transaction is secure.

¨       Avoid using passwords like your birth date, mother’s maiden name, or any part of your social security number.

¨       Avoid using the same password for online shopping websites as those that you use for your banking.

¨       Do not use public computers or public wireless areas to conduct financial transactions or to transmit sensitive information.

¨       Be cautious of online offers that sound too good to be true as they generally are attempts by cyber thieves to lure you into engaging in an online scam.

¨       The best way to secure your payments is to pay by credit card as these transactions are legally protected.  Generally you would only be liable for the first $50 dollars in unauthorized charges.

¨       Choose your online merchants with caution, limiting your shopping to merchants that you trust.

¨       Keep records of your online transactions and check them against your bank statements—you can do this by “saving” receipts online.

 

WHAT TO DO IF YOU ENCOUNTER PROBLEMS WITH AN ONLINE SITE

If you have a problem with online shopping contact the seller directly as soon as possible.  If you are not successful you may contact the following entities:

¨       New York City Department of Consumer Affairs:  www.nyc.gov/consumers or your county/state consumer protection agency

¨       Federal Trade Commission:  www.ftc.gov

¨       New York State Attorney General:  www.ag.ny.gov or the Attorney General’s office in your state

¨       The Better Business Bureau:  www.bbb.org

WHAT TO DO IF YOU SUSPECT THAT YOU ARE A VICTIM OF FRAUD

¨       Immediately contact the Credit Reporting Bureaus (1-800-525-6285) to report suspected identity theft and request “fraud alerts” to be placed on your credit reports.  Also, obtain copies of your credit reports and look for unauthorized accounts and charges.

¨       Contact your bank and credit card companies as soon as possible.

¨       File a complaint with your local police precinct, the FTC (1-877-ID-THEFT / 1-877-438-4338), Social Security Fraud Hotline (1-800-269-0271) and the NYS Consumer Protection Board (1-800-697-1220).

My office’s Citizen Action Center in downtown Brooklyn, and my neighborhood offices which are located throughout Brooklyn, can also provide assistance and appropriate referrals if you suspect fraud.  Please call my neighborhood office hotline at (718) 250-2555 for a location nearest you, or my Citizen Action Center at (718) 250-2340.

I hope that you and your family have a wonderful and safe holiday season.

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

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