Know Who You Are Dealing With Online
Ami Kastner

According to the FBI, last year consumers lost $125.6 million to online scams, and the problem is getting worse. Not all online scams are obvious. Most of us can tell that the pyramid marketing and get rich quick business ads probably are not going to link us to the most trustworthy sites, but what about the businesses, ads, and emails that actually look legitimate? How do you know what is genuine and what is a scam?

If you are shopping online, know who you are dealing with before you make your purchase. There are always fantastic deals and bargains available on the internet, but if you do not know who you are dealing with, that bargain may turn into your worst headache. Anyone can set up an online business under virtually any name, but legitimate businesses should always give you a physical address and working telephone number so that you may call them if a problem should arise. If you are unfamiliar with a business, do a little research before giving them any of your personal information. You can verify with the Better Business Bureau to see if any complaints have been filed against the company at www.bbb.org. Call the telephone number on the website to see what type of services they offer. Check to see if they can send you any information such as a catalogue or brochure. Also confirm the details of the company's return and refund policies.

Never open an email attachment even if you believe the source is reliable unless you are expecting a file and can verify its contents. Friends, family, and coworkers may be trustworthy, but the source they received the attachment from may not be as reliable. Many people send viruses via attachments and do not even know it until it is too late. Always be cautious of what you are opening. Never click on a link or picture in an unsolicited email. When in doubt, open up another window and try to find out a little more information regarding the sender. If you ever have any questions regarding websites and safety online, please do not hesitate to call Drake Hardware & Software at 319.752.1155.