Security Tips |
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Know who you're dealing with online.
And know what you're getting into. It's remarkably simple for online scammers
to impersonate a legitimate business, so you need to know whom you're
dealing with. If you're shopping online, check out the seller before you
buy. A legitimate business or individual seller should give you a physical
address and a working telephone number at which they can be contacted
in case you have problems.
Phishing — bait or prey?
"Phishers" send spam or pop-up messages
claiming to be from a business or organization that you might deal with
for example, an Internet service provider (ISP), bank, online payment
service, or even a government agency. The message usually says that you
need to "update" or "validate" your account information. It might threaten
some dire consequence if you don't respond. The message directs you to
a website that looks just like a legitimate organization's, but isn't.
What is the purpose of the bogus site? To trick you into divulging your
personal information. Then the identity theifs can run up bills or commit
crimes in your name.
Don't take the bait: don't open unsolicited
or unknown email messages; don't open attachments from people you don't
know or don't expect; and never reply to or click on links in email or
pop-ups that ask for personal information. Legitimate companies don't
ask for this information via email. If you are directed to a website to
update your information, verify that the site is legitimate by calling
the company directly, using contact information from your account statements.
Or open a new browser window and type the URL into the address field,
watching that the actual URL of the site you visit doesn't change and
is still the one you intended to visit.
Forward spam that is phishing for information to spam@usedequipmentexchange.net
and to the company, bank, or organization impersonated in the phishing
email. Most organizations have information on their websites about where
to report problems.
To ensure you're not being victimized
and to detect unauthorized purchases, use the same practices as you do
in the offline world. Check your credit card bill at least every month,
and consider using services that inform you if someone has requested credit
in your name. |
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