Librarians are at the forefront of providing education about computer usage to the aging public, and so keeping up with safety on the Internet is of upmost importance. It is just as important to provide this information to adults between the ages of 20-29 because people in this age bracket reported more incidents of losing money to fraud than older adults. We do not want our patrons to be scammed out of their hard-earned money. A recent online conference session I attended made me aware of resources to keep yourself in the know about how easy it is to fall into the trap of scammers. I am not immune to this, and I am thankful that my bank automatically sends me a text when I make purchases that are out of character for me and gives me the opportunity to rethink something I just did.
Safe Purchasing Online
My own safety tip: When you click a link on a legitimate website, check to make sure you are still on the correct website before continuing. Often clicking on a link will throw you to a different website entirely. Close the window on the unwanted website and you will find the correct site.
- Shop from secure websites only. When you visit a website, the URL should begin with “https” instead of “http.” A secure website encrypts your personal and credit card information, allowing you to enter it safely without the risk of hacking.
- Create a unique username and password for each account you have to make it harder for a hacker to get access to all of your accounts.
- Never provide your social security number.
- Avoid clicking on ads or links in a promotional e-mail. Even if the business is known to you it is better to type in the company’s URL.
- Avoid using free, unsecure Wi-Fi at public places when shopping online.
- If a deal is too good to be true, it is likely.
- Use your credit card, not your debit card because fraud protection is available from credit card companies. Some credit card companies now make it possible to use a single use number for online transactions.
- Monitor credit card activities and statements.
- Read retailer reviews before ordering.
Websites for information about scams and online safety:
National Cybersecurity Alliance: https://staysafeonline.org
Federal Trade Commission: https://www.ftc.gov Infographic below is from the FTC website.
