Buying Safely over the Internet

When my Mom turned 73, I bought her a computer and signed her up for an email account. We live far from each other and although we would talk on the phone once a week at a minimum, I felt it was important that we have an alternate method of communication. I signed her up for an evening course at the local college which introduced her to computers and basic functions which helped her gain a fundamental understanding of her new computer system. Mom agreed to send me an email almost every day. I didn't ask her to write me something every day; she could just forward something someone else sent her so I would know she got up and was alive that day. It gave me a real sense of comfort to see her email address pop up in my inbox.

Okay, what does this have to do with Buying Safely over the Internet?

Well. I didn't discuss the topic with her. I never imagined she would venture into online shopping on her own. BIG Mistake!!! I underestimated her and I should have known better. After all, this is the same woman who, at age 72 decided to go to school and become a private investigator. Okay, so what happened? Well, Mom has always been into arts and crafts, making quilts and ceramics. She had an old doll who had lost one eye. She decided to go online and find out where she could buy some doll eyes. Well, I don't encourage any of you to run a search on doll eyes. She was flabbergasted at the number of porn sites that came up. But she searched on. She found one site that looked somewhat hopefull, but to view it, she had to register on the site - so she did. Then it told her that in order to access the products, it only cost $9.95. So she dug out her credit card (wow! her first web purchase!) and entered the needed data. Finally, she accessed the site and found out that she could now view all kinds of porn films as often as she wanted!!

Well, she never did get her doll eyes and ended up getting something that would suffice at Walmart or somewhere.

Okay. So about seven months later, she call me. "Honey, did you charge anything on my credit card?" "Of course not, Mom. I never would do that, why?" "I have this strange $9.95 charge that has popped up each month for several months." "Mom, go to the Bank and talk to them about the charge. Ask them what it is for."

On our next call, she tells me the doll eye story. She had forgotten all about it. She was mortified. The lady at the bank called the company on the charge while she was sitting there and Mom said she gave her the most peculiar look. She told Mom what the charge was for. Mom, though embarrassed, asked if it could be made right. Not only did she stop the charges, but the company checked and since she had never taken advantage of her "service", they gave her a full refund. AND she learned a valuable lesson.

So what about Buying Safely over the Internet?

If you're still unsure, Card Watch, a UK banking group that works with the police and retailers to stop credit card fraud, offer the following "top ten tips" when buying online:

1. Make sure your web-browser (that's the software that you use to view websites, most commonly Internet Explorer or Netscape) is set to the highest level of security notification and monitoring. These options are not always automatically activated when your computer is set-up, so check your manual or the "Help" option.

2. Check you are using a recent version of your web-browser as they often include better security features - up-to-date versions can be downloaded free from the Microsoft or Netscape websites. If you have a different browser or use on-line services such as AOL or CompuServe, contact your ISP (Internet Service Provider) or software supplier to find out how to activate their security features.

3. Before purchasing from a website, make a record of the retailer's contact details, including a street address and landline phone number. If these details are not available on the website, consider going elsewhere to buy, do not rely on the e-mail address alone.

4. Do not enter personal details unless the security icon is displayed (this is a small padlock that normally appears at the bottom of your browser when you begin your transaction over the Internet). You can click on the padlock to see if the retailer has an encryption certificate. This should explain the type and extent of security and encryption it uses. Only use companies that have an encryption certificate and use secure transaction technology. The address of the page where you enter personal details should also start https://.

5. If you have any queries or concerns, telephone the company before giving them your card details to reassure yourself that it is legitimate.

6. Print out your order and consider keeping copies of the retailer's terms and conditions and returns policy. Be aware that there may well be additional charges such as postage and VAT. When buying from overseas always err on the side of caution and remember that it may be difficult to seek redress if problems arise.

7. Check statements from your bank or card issuer carefully as soon as you receive them. Raise any discrepancies with the retailer concerned in the first instance. If you find any transaction on your statement that you are certain you did not make, contact your card issuer immediately.

8. Ensure that you are fully aware of any payment commitments you are entering into, including whether you are instructing a single payment or a series of payments.(Remember Mom's monthly access charge?)

9. Never disclose your card's PIN number to anyone, including people claiming to be from your bank or the police, and never write it down or send it over the Internet.

10. Finally, if you have any doubts about using your card, find another method of payment.

The good news is that in spite of the many concerns you might have about Internet shopping, some now argue that it is actually safer to buy online than buying over the phone or handing your credit card over to someone in a shop. This is because if the online payment is handled properly your banking details will be "encrypted", which means they cannot be viewed by anyone other than those handling the transaction - usually the banks.

Avoiding Crimes When Parking, Part 2

Avoid Rape, Assault, and Robbery

1. For business owners, keep in mind that to make car parks safer, planners should provide direct access from parking areas to the entrance of dwellings.

2. Car parks should be no further than 60 meters from dwellings, and the path should be well lit and free from shrubbery.

3. Visitors' car parks should be well lit, clearly identifiable, and visible from dwellings.

4. Prevention is enhanced through the use of security cameras. There are several different options. You can install cameras that provide a live feed to a monitor, those that record activity (even these can be 24/7 or movement activated), or you can install dummy cameras that are real in the sense they are made from real camera housings without the electronics. These of course, would be the cheapest option. To see some of these options, Click Here.

5. You can also use advanced technological surveillance methods such as an infrared unit, which detects the presence of intruders - but not cats and dogs - by body heat, and automatically switches on all lights in the car park and turns them off after 15 to 20 minutes.

6. Access to enclosed car parks should be limited to residents by some form of electronic entry control device if possible.

7. If it is desirable to limit access to dwellings, make sure access via car parks is monitored as well.

Above all else, awareness is the key. You are always safer traveling in pairs. If you have to walk into an unfamiliar car park and don't feel comfortable doing so alone, ask someone to walk out with you or stand in the door and watch until you enter your vehicle. There are also personal security items you can carry with you to gain attention and scare off suspicious persons. A simple item which sends out a screeching alarm and flashes a bright light with activation can give you some security. For some other ideas, Click Here.