| The Latest Scams To Avoid - Safe Online Shopping Guide by Rachel |
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Unfortunately there are people out there who try to take advantage and target the less experienced internet users. Many of us have been scammed since the invention of the internet and have become wiser off of it. However scammers are always coming up with ingenuous methods of getting consumers to part with cash. Here are some of the latest that have come to our attention:
Mailing of fake delivery or shipping cards
These scammers mail a calling card stating they have a package to deliver, however it has been undercharged and they need a small payment in order to deliver it to you. Often there is a premium phone number to call or an automated payment system. Whatever you do don't hand over your details. If you have ordered something recently from a store, you shouldn't be the one to pay for any shortage.
Offers that are too good to be true
McAfee recently uncovered a new Christmas campaign that directs shoppers to malware-ridden websites offering overly tempting discounted prices on branded products such as Cartier, Gucci, and Tag Heuer.
These scammers even use safe shopping logos such as the Better Business Bureau, Internet Shopping Is Safe or Verisign security to trick shoppers into buying products they never receive.
Online identity theft
This happens frequently when users shop and surf on open hotspots, hackers can spy on their activity in an attempt to steal their personal information. McAfee advises users never to shop online from a public computer or on an open Wi-Fi network. Make sure your wireless connection is password protected, but better still connect directly to your modem if possible.
Be careful on auction sites
Fraudster use auction sites to lure users in with their tempting offers, and often shill bid to inflate the final value of the listing. Once again you will be lucky to ever receive your goods. Be careful if the seller wants to finalise the deal outside of the auction site.
Watch out for email scams
We should all know about bank account email phishing by now, but now even many of the well known retailers are being used just to get password or login information. Sometimes simply clicking on the email can download tools to uncover a person's password and send out malware to record keystrokes, called keylogging. Once criminals have your passwords, they can empty consumers' bank and credit card accounts within minutes.
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