Protecting+credit+card+information+(online+auctions+and+shopping)

Protecting Credit Card Information mostly for online auctions and shopping.
** Basic safety tips for online shopping and auctions **

> > > Better Business Bureau Online—(BBBOnline) > > or > > TRUSTe > > Find a filter that warns you of suspicious websites and blocks visits to reported phishing sites. For example, try the Smart Screen Fliter included in Internet Explorer. True - Photographs show an ATM equipped by scammers with a duplicate card reader and wireless camera. True - Thieves steal ATM cards and PINs by using plastic sleeves known as the Lebanese loop. True - Photographs show scammers using a strip of film to steal an unsuspecting bank customer's ATM card. False - Retail cashiers steal from customers by secretly initiating cash back requests and then pocketing the money.
 * Where possible, use a secure online payment service like PayPal or WorldPay.
 * Safer if your information is not saved on a PC, there are hackers everywhere.
 * Use credit cards rather than debit cards.
 * Don't keep your personal or financial information (including account passwords) on your computer. Use removable storage (like a USB stick).
 * Make sure your internet connection is protected and has security check.
 * Don't give out personal or financial information to vendors over the phone, through the mail, or online unless you are absolutely certain that your contact is legitimate.
 * Try to make all of your online transactions with one credit card, if you have more than one.
 * Keep a record of what you pay for and always check your online purchases off against your statement[s].
 * Always check the privacy policy of any Web site that requests personal details. If the Web site is requesting this type of information and does not have a privacy policy, it is not wise to submit your information.
 * When submitting information online, make sure there is a "lock" icon on the browser's status bar (and that it is "locked").
 * Keep your operating system, anti-virus, anti-spyware and firewall software up to date.
 * Use anti-virus software and/or firewalls on every computer you own/use.
 * Make sure that the site has some customer evaluation which can make sure that the site is safe.
 * **Look for third-party seals of approval.** Companies can put these seals on their sites if they abide by a set of rigorous standards such as how personal information can be used. Two seals to look for:
 * If you see the seals, click them to make sure they link to the organization that created them. Some unscrupulous merchants will put these logos on their websites without permission.
 * Keep your web browser updated. Internet Explorer 9 is the newest version of the Microsoft web browser software. It helps protect you when you shop online.
 * Look for signs that the website protects your data.On the web page where you enter your credit card or other personal information, look for an **"s"** after //http// in the web address of that page (as shown below). (Encryption is a security measure that scrambles data as it traverses the Internet.)
 * Also make sure there is a tiny closed padlock in the address bar, or on the lower right corner of the window.
 * Use a filter that warns you of suspicious websites
 * Make a really strong password.

Certain things like indentity theft are related to protection of your credit card! So, Here are some tips for that: 1. Identity thefts scammers pretending to be Red Cross representatives target military families. 2. They trick the unwary into revealing their personal details by telling them they have failed to report for the jury duty and warrants for their arrest are being issued. 3. Scammers pose as census workers to elict personal information from unsuspecting victims. 4. Card-skimming thieves can read information from RFID-enabled credit cards carried in pockets purses. Identity Theft Punishments:
 * 1) Credit card identity theft is the most common one.
 * 2) Driver's license theft: when someone steals you r driver's license and then cause traffic related crime.
 * 3) Character Identity theft is one of the hardest identity crime to trace.
 * 4) Social Security Number (SSN) Theft resulting in loss of unemployment benefits, or for not paying taxes on "all" income earned.
 * 5) Medical Identity Theft when you r identity is stolen to obtain medical insurance or benefit from the existing one; losing health coverage.

Consequences for Theft: 
 * Anyone who causes identity theft will be put into jail for 2 years.
 * Serious crime against federal laws.
 * The punishment are getting harder by day for identity theft.
 * Punishment for a terrorist act while stealing identities has a mandatory punishment; put in jail for 3-5 years.
 * An increase in two years for anyone who commits //aggravated identity theft,// in order to commit other Federal felonies.

This is a good gaming site, unfortunately its blocked! []

These are good videoes to be watched - [] []

"Snopes.com: Fraud & Scams (ATM Scams)." //Snopes.com: Urban Legends Reference Pages//. Web. 15 Apr. 2011. .

//WiredSafety: the World's Largest Internet Safety, Help and Education Resource.// Web. 08 Apr. 2011. //

//"Online Shopping Safety Tips | Microsoft Safety & Security Center."// Online Privacy and Safety//. 2011. Web. 15 Apr. 2011. .//

//"Snopes.com: Fraud & Scams (Identity Theft)."// Snopes.com: Urban Legends Reference Pages//. Web. 19 Apr. 2011. [].

Henrix LLC Legal Notice. "Punishment For Identity Theft." // Identity Theft Awareness and Solutions //. 2011. Web. 20 Apr. 2011. <[]>.//

Rajeev, Loveleena. "Identity Theft Punishment." Buzzle Web Portal: Intelligent Life on the Web //. 2000. Web. 20 Apr. 2011. <[]>.