'Tis the season for online fraud
Julekha Dash
Contributing Writer
As more shoppers flood stores in cyberspace, consumers need to follow safety precautions to avoid online fraud and identity theft, according to the Better Business Bureau (BBB) of Greater Maryland.
A recent survey conducted by the Business Software Alliance (BSA), more than three-quarters of shoppers expressed concern about Internet security theft, including information stolen from Web databases, using a credit card online and sending personal information.
The Better Business Bureau advises consumers to shop from reputable Web sites, and has established a site (www.bbb.org/idtheft) with tips on protecting against identity theft.
The BBB and BSA also offer 10 tips to secure their online purchases:
Research the Web site where you make purchases
Be clear on the company's refund policy and print out your confirmation order
Pay by credit card, which offers more protection than ATM cards
Don't give out your password
Be careful when purchasing g goods from overseas
Install anti-virus software and update it on a regular basis
Notify the BBB (www.bbb.org) of any disputes.
