Are you one of those people who doesn’t open their bank or credit card statements? Do you take out store cards on the spur of the moment? Have you been with the same bank simply because it is less hassle than changing?
If you have answered yes to any of the above questions, fear not confused consumer, help is at hand, with some assistance from a few internet tools.
* Internet tool number one:
** The consumer champion site for personal finance information
Websites such as Fool.com, Fool.co.uk and Moneysavingexpert.com have proved extremely popular with consumers. Fool.com is more geared towards the US market, whilst Fool.co.uk focuses on the UK market. Both have an extremely diverse selection of information from investment and high risk options to personal finance and low risk options. There are extensive discussion boards, newsletter subscriptions, finance calculators and competitions. These sites not only answer your questions, they make you want to ask more.
Fool.com, Fool.co.uk and Moneysavingexpert.com are community based sites and function on consumers exchanging information between themselves, whether that’s about passing on recommendations or expressing concerns. The article “Ten Reasons To Fear The Future” by Cliff D’Arcy” on Fool.co.uk is a particularly good introduction to the financial aspects of modern life.
Martin Lewis has almost become a household name in the UK through his website Moneysavingexpert. The outspoken journalist and presenter offers a comprehensive resource on a range of personal finance topics. If you can put up with the cheesey photos of Mr Lewis and his catalogue poses, you will undoubtedly find this site extremely helpful.
* Internet tool number two:
** The price comparison site for personal finance information
Kelkoo, moneynet.co.uk and Lowermybills.com (US) are now commonly exploited by consumers to ensure they are getting the best deal on their purchases. However, it is probably fair to say that more people shop around for clothes and music, than they do for their personal finance products, which is worrying as these cost significantly more.
* Internet tool number three:
** Online banking and account aggregation tools
The internet can be a scary thing and there is still much scaremongering about online security. However your details are often as secure online, as they are offline and providing you choose and hide your password effectively – there should not be a problem with people accessing your confidential information. Choose a password of eight characters or more, preferably replacing some letters with numbers, such “1nternet” or “passw0rd”.
Set yourself up with online accounts and you can proactively manage your finances yourself, without waiting for statements through the post or call centre agents to take your query. You can also save yourself bank charges by transferring funds yourself over the internet. Some banks charge large amounts for transferring funds when you can do it for no additional cost at all.
Personal finance doesn’t have to be about debt and the efficient co-ordination of funds may save you hundreds of pounds in the long-term.
Resources:
The Motley Fool UK
Personal Finance Information
*********************
About Rachel
Rachel would be really interested to get feedback on whether anyone actually reads this section. Rachel has written about living in straw huts, having the ‘Best Hits of 1987’ in her music collection, eating Green and Blacks chocolate and the fact that on her left foot - her second toe is bigger than her big toe. If someone feels like rescuing Rachel from obscurity, she would be grateful for an e-mail out of here.
Rachel also writes for the personal finance blog Cashzilla – A mighty personalfinanosaurus lives here - rargh
Don’t spam it though or she’ll eat you.
Contact details
Rachel Lane
Rachel@positiveinterest.com
Cashzilla personal finance blog
Written by: cashzilla
Showing posts with label Internet. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Internet. Show all posts
Saturday, April 18, 2009
Wednesday, March 25, 2009
Email Scams- Ten Simple Steps to Protect Your Online Finances
According to the Anti-Phishing Working Group (APWG) email scams also known as phishing attacks claim more than 2,000 victims each day from more than 75 million phishing emails that are sent each day. The APWG also claims that these email scams steal close to $1 billion a year from its victims.
Phishing (pronounced fishing), is online identity theft that uses spoof emails, fraudulent websites and crimeware to trick unsuspecting internet users into providing financial data, credit card numbers, social security numbers, account logins and passwords, etc.
These email scams (spoof email) mimic legitimate companies such as banks, credit card companies, investing companies, paypal, ebay, etc. These fraudulent emails look like they are from the "real" company; many even include the real company's logo. Generally these emails try to convey a sense of urgency; if you don't correct this problem your account will be suspended.
The spoof email may state that there is a problem with your account and if you do not log in and update your information your account may be suspended, restricted, terminated, or something similar. They may also request user name, passwords, credit card numbers, social security numbers, etc.
Protecting yourself against phishing and email scams.
1. Do not give out personal or financial information through an email request.
2. Always log on to your sensitive accounts by opening a new browser and typing the actual URL directly into the address bar. For example, if you receive a suspected phishing email from ebay, open a new browser and type "www.ebay.com" in the browser bar.
3. Do not click on any link in a suspected phishing email.
4. Do not open any attachments in a suspected email scam.
5. Only use a secure website to submit sensitive data. A secure sites' address will begin with https:// instead of http://
6. Check the activity of your online accounts regularly and check for fraudulent activity.
7. Make sure your browser is up to date and all security patches are installed.
8. Report phishing and spoof email to: reportphishing@antiphishing.com , spam@uce.gov, and forward the email to the company that is being spoofed.
9. Keep your PC protected with updated anti-virus software, anti-spyware software, and a firewall.
10. You may want to install an anti-phishing toolbar such as Earthlink ScamBlocker which alerts you before you visit a known fraudulent website. It's free and can be downloaded at http://www.earthlink.net/earthlinktoolbar
As email scams are on the rise and with the consequences being identity theft, it is important that you increase your awareness and learn to protect yourself from these fraudulent attacks. With more than 75 million phishing emails being sent every day it's only a matter of time before you receive one. By following the above tips you will protect yourself from many email scams and the possible financial consequences.
About the Author
Lisa Smith makes it easy to increase your online privacy in her newest book, "Internet Safety Tips & Resource Guide. How To Increase Your Online Privacy and Security." To download a free copy and have free internet safety & security articles e-mailed to you every month visit: http://www.1stspywareremoval.com/Email_Scams.html
Written by: Lisa Smith
Phishing (pronounced fishing), is online identity theft that uses spoof emails, fraudulent websites and crimeware to trick unsuspecting internet users into providing financial data, credit card numbers, social security numbers, account logins and passwords, etc.
These email scams (spoof email) mimic legitimate companies such as banks, credit card companies, investing companies, paypal, ebay, etc. These fraudulent emails look like they are from the "real" company; many even include the real company's logo. Generally these emails try to convey a sense of urgency; if you don't correct this problem your account will be suspended.
The spoof email may state that there is a problem with your account and if you do not log in and update your information your account may be suspended, restricted, terminated, or something similar. They may also request user name, passwords, credit card numbers, social security numbers, etc.
Protecting yourself against phishing and email scams.
1. Do not give out personal or financial information through an email request.
2. Always log on to your sensitive accounts by opening a new browser and typing the actual URL directly into the address bar. For example, if you receive a suspected phishing email from ebay, open a new browser and type "www.ebay.com" in the browser bar.
3. Do not click on any link in a suspected phishing email.
4. Do not open any attachments in a suspected email scam.
5. Only use a secure website to submit sensitive data. A secure sites' address will begin with https:// instead of http://
6. Check the activity of your online accounts regularly and check for fraudulent activity.
7. Make sure your browser is up to date and all security patches are installed.
8. Report phishing and spoof email to: reportphishing@antiphishing.com , spam@uce.gov, and forward the email to the company that is being spoofed.
9. Keep your PC protected with updated anti-virus software, anti-spyware software, and a firewall.
10. You may want to install an anti-phishing toolbar such as Earthlink ScamBlocker which alerts you before you visit a known fraudulent website. It's free and can be downloaded at http://www.earthlink.net/earthlinktoolbar
As email scams are on the rise and with the consequences being identity theft, it is important that you increase your awareness and learn to protect yourself from these fraudulent attacks. With more than 75 million phishing emails being sent every day it's only a matter of time before you receive one. By following the above tips you will protect yourself from many email scams and the possible financial consequences.
About the Author
Lisa Smith makes it easy to increase your online privacy in her newest book, "Internet Safety Tips & Resource Guide. How To Increase Your Online Privacy and Security." To download a free copy and have free internet safety & security articles e-mailed to you every month visit: http://www.1stspywareremoval.com/Email_Scams.html
Written by: Lisa Smith
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