Watch out for Cyber Fraud

We at Herlihy Insurance Group want to remind all consumers to be careful!  At our own agency we have recently had emails appearing to come  directly from Jim Herlihy asking for our bank info.  When I checked in with him, he was not the sender.

Avoid Cyber Crime: Tips for Safe Online Shopping

Make sure the site is legitimate: Before you enter your personal and financial information, look for signs that the site is secure. This includes a closed padlock on your web browser’s address bar or a URL address that begins with shttp or https, which indicates that the purchase is encrypted or secured. If you’ve never shopped on a site before, or have never heard of the site, do some research to ensure they are legitimate. Never use unsecured wireless networks to make an online purchase.

Protect your personal information: When making a purchase, be alert to the kinds of information being collected and make sure you think it is necessary for the vendor to request that information. You should never, for example, have to enter your social security number to make a purchase.

Use safe payment options: Credit cards are generally the safest option because they allow buyers to seek a credit from the issuer if the product isn’t delivered or isn’t what was ordered. Also, unlike debit cards, credit cards may have a limit on the monetary amount you will be responsible for paying if your information is stolen.

Keep a paper trail:Save records of your online transactions, including the product description, price, online receipt, terms of the sale, and copies of any email exchange with the seller. Read your credit card statements as soon as you get them to make sure there aren’t any unauthorized charges

Turn your computer off when you’re finished shopping: Many people leave their computers running and connected to the Internet all day and night. This gives scammers 24/7 access to your computer to install malware and commit cyber crimes.

Be wary of emails requesting information: Attackers may attempt to gather information by sending emails requesting that you confirm purchase or account information.  Legitimate businesses will not solicit this type of information through email.

Safe Shopping to all!  Hope you get some great deals.  And if you purchase any high valued items, don’t forget to check on insuring them right away.