tips for staying safe online

Whether you're using a credit card or your PayPal account to make online purchases, you still need to be aware of how to keep your private information secure on the web. Check out some of the following tips for staying safe online:

• Only buy from reputable websites & online retailers. Look out for the padlock symbol and “https” at the start of the web address in the browser bar at the top of the web page (“s” stands for secure).

• Watch out for 'phishing emails'. Generic greetings like “Dear user”, odd-looking logos, strange statements, poor spelling & certainly requests for private or financial details should all be considered red flags.

• Double check all details of your purchase before confirming your payment.

• Make sure to always log out of websites after you’ve made a purchase because simply closing the browser window may not always be enough to protect your information.

• Keep an eye on your bank and credit card statements regularly to check for any suspicious transactions.

• Watch out for scams—if anything seems too good to be true it most likely is.

• Always use strong passwords. Most people are pretty lazy with their passwords. The more generic your password is, the easier it is for hackers to gain access to your accounts.

RESOURCES

INFORMED DELIVERY free from US Post Office. Each delivery day they will send an email containing digital scans of the letter-size mail that will soon arrive at your box or door. The email also details packages that will arrive that day or soon. Now you can cross-check for mail theft or ask someone to pick up a package if you’re away.