The Internet offers a global marketplace for consumers and businesses. However, criminals also recognize the potential of cyberspace. The same scams that have reached us by telephone and in our mailbox can now be found on the World Wide Web and in email. Organizations such as the National Fraud Information Center have emerged to help people recognize shady schemes in order to prevent further victims.
According to the Internet Fraud Complaint Center (IFCC), a partnership between the National s https://Charlie-Day.com https://SkinSaps.com https://TopShoesGuide.com https://HausaCinema.com https://WhatCamCorders.com https://CoffeeBaze.com https://TrueTechJournal.com https://GamerOfficials.com https://PetAnimalScare.com https://CelebMastery.com https://FallsViewsCasino.comWhite Collar Crime Center and the FBI, the number of fraud victims is in the hundreds of thousands and total dollars lost are in the hundreds of millions, and rising at an exponential rate. A search on Google for “internet fraud” results in over 3,200,000 listings at the time of this writing!
It is difficult sometimes to tell the difference between reputable online sellers and criminals who use the Internet to separate people from their money. You can protect yourself by learning how to recognize the danger signs of fraud. If you are a victim of Internet fraud, it is important to file a complaint with the IFCC at http://www.ifccfbi.gov/ quickly so that law enforcement agencies can quickly shut down the fraudulent operations.
·Know whom you’re dealing with. If the seller or charity is unfamiliar, check with your state or local consumer protection agency and the Better Business Bureau (http://www.bbb.org/). Search the Federal Trade Commission website (http://www.ftc.gov/) for the company or organization that you are considering doing business with. Some Web sites have feedback forums, which can provide useful information about other people’s experiences with particular sellers. Get the physical address and phone number (and actually make a call before you give them money-to make sure that the phone number is correct) in case there is a problem later.
·Guard your personal information. Make sure that any website that requires sensitive information is encrypted. An encrypted website usually has a yellow padlock symbol somewhere on the page, typically at the bottom. Don’t provide your credit card or bank account number unless you are actually paying for something. Your social security number should not be necessary unless you are applying for credit. Be especially suspicious if someone claiming to be from a company with whom you have an account asks for information that the business already has.