Q. My grandchildren have introduced me to the Internet in recent years and I have started doing more of my business online. But I am still very nervous. For instance, I subscribe to a number of magazines and have been thinking it would be much easier to order them online. What should I beware of and is there any way to help keep me safer from thieves?
It’s great that you are wary since thieves have found innovative ways to do their dirty deeds using the latest technology. The National Fraud Information Center, founded in 1992 by the National Consumers League to fight fraud, offers these tips:
• Get all the details before you decide to subscribe. The cost may be described as “pennies a month” but you need to know the length of the subscription commitment and the total cost. Legitimate companies will give you all the details upfront and never insist that you act immediately.
• Be cautious about unsolicited e-mails. They are often fraudulent. The best approach may be to not respond at all and simply delete the e-mail.
• Be wary of “free prizes.” They’re not free if you have to buy magazines to get them.
• Know the cancellation policy. Some subscription services don’t allow cancellations once they have placed the orders with the publishers.
• Watch out for imposters. Crooks may pretend to be acting on behalf of well-known magazine publishers when they have absolutely no connection with them at all and will simply pocket your money.
• Don’t give your credit card or bank account information unless you’re making a payment. There is no reason why the company would need that information for any other purpose.
Contact your Internet provider to help ensure that you are doing all you can to prevent spam e-mail from coming to you. If you’re looking for a second set of eyes to help keep you safe in your home, consider a professional caregiving company. Home Instead Senior Care® hires CAREGivers who are screened, bonded and insured, and well-trained to keep seniors safe in their homes.
For more information about Home Instead Senior Care of Carroll County, visit www.homeinstead.com/627.1. For more about the NFIC and other ways to protect against fraud, log on to http://www.fraud.org/tips/internet/magazine.htm.
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