How to Research an Internet Site for Scams or Fraud
The Internet is filled with respectful and trustworthy businesses simply trying to get a fair share of the market and doing the best job they can. However, for every successful and honest business, there are likely three or four scam artists who are vying to steal your money and/or personal information. Keeping an eye out for scams can protect your wallet and your identity and make your online activities much safer.
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Instructions
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Carefully consider the information presented on the site. If the company seems to be making incredible claims or something does not feel right, you should probably stick with your gut and do business elsewhere.
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Visit a consumer protection website like Ripoff Report or Consumer Fraud Reporting (see Resources). Enter the website information into their search utilities to see if anything comes up about fraud or scams.
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Examine the address of the website to make sure it is not a common misspelling of a popular name. This is one brutal tactic employed by hackers to steal personal information and conduct fraudulent business.
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Call the customer service department of the company and question them over the phone. Having a phone conversation with someone at the company can help you to assess whether the information you see on your computer is actually from the company.
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Force a website to earn your trust through excellent consumer reviews, transparency in customer contact information and solid content that does not sound fragmented or stolen. Approaching every site with a bit of caution is the best way to keep yourself safe.
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