Protecting Your Computer Online

The Clark Howard Show http//www.clarkhoward.com

August 15 2007 E-greetings may contain dangerous spyware

Have you been receiving phony e-greeting cards in your inbox lately? If you open these, you might get spyware and others kinds of malware on your computer. Clark is really upset about this trend because e-greeting cards should be a pleasant thing. Unfortunately, something so innocent has been corrupted. The latest incarnation in this rip-off scheme works in the following way: Criminals send out bogus e-greeting cards and if you open it, you download a program that steals e-mail addresses from your contacts list. Once the criminals have those e-mail addresses, they send out another fake e-greeting that appears to be coming from you, staring the cycle all over again. The worst part is that when you opened the initial e-greeting, you probably also unknowingly downloaded a key logger program. This program tracks every key you type, including usernames and passwords for your bank, brokerage or mutual fund accounts. Under the law, you are protected if money is stolen from your bank account, but not from your brokerage or mutual fund account. Some brokers have issued their own policies that allow for customer protection. But the bottom line is that you must run anti-virus and anti-spyware software on your computer. Clark likes Spybot - Search and Destroy, a free program that will eliminate key loggers and other spyware on your system. Hopefully the legitimate e-greeting businesses will find a way to regulate their industry so people can again have faith in their products.

Why Buy Online?

BUY ONLINE?

Advantages

Buying online does have a number of potential advantages:

• Price: items are usually cheaper on the Web because warehouse and staff costs are lower, and because online shops want to attract and keep customers.
• Convenience: shopping can be much easier on the Internet. It can be done at home, at a convenient time and be very quick.
• Wide choice: Internet shopping allows you access to a wide range of shops all around the world, some of which don't exist on the high street. Online shops also usually carry a much larger stock.
• Quick delivery: most Internet sites are able to deliver within a few days.

Disadvantages

There are also some disadvantages buying online:

• Delivery: many sites still use traditional carriers and don't deliver at night or at weekends. Often you end up having to go and collect from a depot.
• Costs and returns: adding up transport and, if buying from outside the European Community, tax and duty, can often mean an item isn't as cheap as it seems. Returning a purchase often means having to parcel it up and take it down to the post office.
• Cost of using the Internet: although online access is getting cheaper, many Internet providers still charge per minute. Browsing around a wide range of shops can take as long as a traditional shopping visit, so beware.
• Buying more: because everything is at the click of a mouse, it's very easy to buy and spend more then you intended to.

Here are some things to think about when buying cars online:

Buying from a car dealer Online The Sale of Goods Act (SGA) 1979 (as amended) is the statute which covers the sale whether it's a car, clothes or a toaster that you're buying.

When buying from a dealer, the law says that a car must be:

• as described
• of satisfactory quality
• fit for the purpose

As described: this includes the history of the car as well as its specification. For example, if the dealer described the car as previously having 'one careful lady owner', it shouldn't turn out to have had several previous 'boy racer' owners.

Of satisfactory quality: Satisfactory quality (s14(2) SGA) it must meet the standard that a reasonable person would regard as acceptable and be free from defects, except those which are specifically brought to the attention of the customer or, if the customer examines the car before the contract is made, those which the examination should have revealed. Also, bear in mind that a second-hand car will have a slightly different definition of what is considered 'satisfactory', because there's bound to be an element of wear and tear.

Fit for the purpose: (s14(3) SGA) it must be reasonably fit for any normal purpose and this includes any purpose that you specify to the seller.

If any of the above are breached, then in theory, you may have the right to reject the vehicle and get your money back if you're reasonably quick. Alternatively, the dealer might offer to replace or repair the car; reduce the price or offer a partial refund. Once you've informed the dealer that you wish to reject the car, you must cease to use the vehicle.

If the dealer or finance company (if bought on hire purchase), is disputing the rejection, then it's up to you to prove your case. You'll need to pay for an independent assessment of the car and sue for damages. If you do choose a repair, insist the dealer provides you with a hire car or pays any reasonable travelling expenses you incur while your new car is in the garage.

If the car is new, it's likely that the claim will be too high to be fought using the small claims procedure so you may have to pay for legal representation. All this can be pretty daunting and expensive. You need to weigh up the pros and cons before rejecting a car. Would a repair do just as well? Selecting a dealer who offers a no-quibbles exchange policy may help.

When choosing a dealer, find a well-established company with a good reputation. Check if the company belongs to a reputable trade association that operates according to a code of practice supported by the Office of Fair Trading.

My thoughts are simple buyer beware and make sure you know who you are dealing with and they better have an address and phone number for you to contact..

Buy Smart and Buy Online

FBI warnings about Internet Auctions

The Internet Crime Complaint Center or IC3, a partnership of the FBI and the National White Collar Crime Center, in 2007 released its latest annual report on victims' complaints received and referred to law enforcement.

Among the results:

"Internet auction fraud was by far the most reported offense, comprising 44.9% of referred complaints. Non-delivered merchandise and/or payment accounted for 19.0% of complaints. Check fraud made up 4.9% of complaints. Credit/debit card fraud, computer fraud, confidence fraud, and financial institutions fraud round out the top seven categories of complaints referred to law enforcement during the year."

For the full report, go to the IC3 webpage on statistics.

Listed below are tips to protect yourself and your family from various forms of Internet fraud:

Avoiding Internet Auction Fraud

• Understand as much as possible about how the auction works, what your obligations are as a buyer, and what the seller's obligations are before you bid.
• Find out what actions the web site/company takes if a problem occurs and consider insuring the transaction and shipment.
• Learn as much as possible about the seller, especially if the only information you have is an e-mail address. If it is a business, check the Better Business Bureau where the seller/business is located.
• Examine the feedback on the seller.
• Determine what method of payment the seller is asking from the buyer and where he/she is asking to send payment.
• If a problem occurs with the auction transaction, it could be much more difficult if the seller is located outside the US because of the difference in laws.
• Ask the seller about when delivery can be expected and if there is a problem with the merchandise is it covered by a warranty or can you exchange it.
• Find out if shipping and delivery are included in the auction price or are additional costs so there are no unexpected costs.
• There should be no reason to give out your social security number or drivers license number to the seller.

We at Advanced Sales Network believe our service can help avoid some of the pitfalls of online auctions. We support the Federal Trade Commission will turn in anybody who we suspect wrong doing. We will turn anyone who fails to preform over to the FBI and any local authorities.

Patrick Mahan
1974 Circle Drive
Cayucos Ca. 93430
805-995-5001
patrick@advancedsalesnetwork.com

Welcome to the Buyers and Sellers Blog

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