Online Fraud: Don't Be a Victim!
March 23rd 2008 23:17
A Few Comments Worth Repeating
The following information is adapted from a few comments I recently wrote here at Writer's Notes about online fraud. These comments expanded on the info presented in one of my earlier posts on the topic. I've decided to turn them into a post in their own right, because I believe this information is critical for everyone who uses the internet and e-mail to know--and since writers often use online payment processing services, such as PayPal, we must be particularly aware that we don't get scammed. (Many--if not most--people don't tend to read all the comments on a blog post, which means that most Writer's Notes readers have not had the benefit of reading this information.)
How to Tell When You're On a Spoof Website
Once on a website, if you right-click the webpage you're on and then click "Properties," you'll learn two things:
First, you'll learn the actual URL of the website--regardless of what they may have done to hide or manipulate it to make it seem like another site. (Note: The PayPal site's "Properties" window shows that the site is in fact PayPal, because it shows the authentic PayPal URL.)
Second, you'll learn whether or not the internet connection to the site is encrypted. If it isn't encrypted, it's not a secure site and therefore cannot be the real PayPal website. (Try this by right-clicking this Writer's Notes webpage. You'll see the exact URL--in this case the URL to this particular blog post--and you'll also see that this site's connection is not encrypted.)
Aside from the "Properties" window, another way to tell whether you're on a secure site is that the lock icon will appear in the status bar at the bottom of the web page. This is the only lock-icon location that indicates a secure site. If this icon is found anywhere else on the page, it means nothing. (Of course, it's possible that it could be found elsewhere on the page in ADDITION to the status bar--which is in fact the case with PayPal. But, if it's found ONLY on the web page and NOT in the status bar, the site is not secure.)
Apparently, some online con artists remove the status bar entirely to prevent visitors from noticing that the lock icon is missing. They then place an image of a lock somewhere on the web page to give the site a false air of legitimacy and security.
These things are so important for writers--and others--to know!
How to Avoid Phishing E-Mails
These cyber scammers are becoming more sophisticated, and it's definitely becoming more and more difficult to tell that their e-mails and websites are not the "real deal." But, there are ways to tell, and we can only do our best to educate others, hopefully helping to prevent them from becoming the prey of such dishonest individuals.
We must always be on our guard wherever online financial transactions are concerned--and of course, whenever we receive any e-mail that claims to relate to any type of financial transaction. It's absolutely crucial never to click a link in an e-mail that claims that it will take you to a website where you'll be able to complete any sort of "secure" financial transaction or where you're expected to "update" your personal information. I always pass my cursor over the link to see where it would have taken me before I DON'T click on it! Even if it appears legit, I visit the site via my web browser, instead of by clicking the link. If it doesn’t appear legit, I avoid it like the plague—and you should, too.
How to Tell When You’re About to Be Redirected to Another Website
In the case of unfamiliar web addresses that you type into your browser or copy and paste there, if you'll pass your cursor briefly over the "Go" button or arrow before clicking, you'll be shown the web address that you'll actually be taken to if you click "Go." (I learned this quite by mistake one day. I'd never noticed it before.) This is extremely valuable in cases where clicking a certain URL is actually designed to redirect you to an entirely different web address, hiding the fact that you aren't actually going to the website that you think you are.
(In the case just mentioned, I had actually been redirected to a site which supposedly sold cheap cigarettes. Maybe it was legit; maybe not. But I can't help but wonder why they would have needed to masquerade as an affiliate tool website in order to force traffic to their site if they were indeed honest businesspeople.)
There are many tools at our disposal that can help us to avoid being the victims of online fraud. But, we need to be informed that they exist and how we can best use them to protect ourselves and our vital personal information.
But, of course, knowing isn't enough. If we want to protect ourselves from online fraud, we have to take that knowledge and use it!
Stay safe,
Jeanne
Did you enjoy this post? Have anything to add? Any experiences to share? Any tips or tricks you know of for protecting ourselves from online fraud? We'd love to hear from you!
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Comment by tlcorbin
Comment by Jeanne Dininni
Writer's Notes
Thanks for being the first to comment--and no doubt to read--my post! This issue is so critical that I feel it can't be stated often enough. The saying "You can't be too careful" certainly applies on the internet!
Take care!
Jeanne
Comment by Lady Henrietta Muddling
Potter in a Harry
Comment by cherylwright
Timely information and great advice. Thanks for always sharing vital information.
Cheryl
Comment by Jeanne Dininni
Writer's Notes
I'm suggesting that you avoid sites that commit monetary (as opposed to journalistic or ideological) crimes. Haven't yet heard of anyone at Oble who's done that.
Jeanne
Comment by Jeanne Dininni
Writer's Notes
Thanks so much! I think it's so important to arm people to protect themselves from being taken advantage of by these cyber scammers!
Thanks for the visit!
Jeanne