Expert Advice Tip Sheet -- Avoid Internet Credit Card Fraud -- OnlineOrganizing.com

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	Avoid Internet Credit Card Fraud

	By Dana Berlin

Feel free to use this tip sheet / checklist as you tackle your own ""do-it-yourself"" organizing projects. If you would like to REPRINT or DISTRIBUTE this information, please click here for reprinting instructions.

BEWARE OF SCAMS

never provide personal financial information if you did not initiate the contact
never reply to requests for personal financial information via email
delete email sent from unfamiliar addresses without opening them
forward emails you suspect are fraudulent to the FTC at spam@uce.gov
file a complaint with the Internet Fraud Complaint Center at www.ifccfbi.gov

KNOW WHO YOU ARE DOING BUSINESS WITH

make sure you are dealing with a legitimate company
call the phone number to make sure it is in service
verify that there is a physical address
check with the Better Business Bureau from the seller's area

PROTECT YOUR PERSONAL INFORMATION

beware of emails directing you to a website to verify personal information
do not provide credit card information to a website that is not secure
read the company's privacy policy -- know if they share your personal info
using a credit card allows charges to be disputed without paying the charge
with debit cards, you have to pay the charge while it is under investigation

UPDATE YOUR COMPUTER

learn to automatically update your operating system with security patches
update your antivirus software regularly
install firewall protection to prevent unauthorized access to your computer
activate your email filter to block unsolicited and suspicious emails

Dana Berlin is a professional organizer and speaker. Visit her website at www.simplyorganized-tx.com or contact her a dberlin@houston.rr.com.

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