MONTGOMERY COUNTY -- With the holidays fast approaching, many people are shopping or selling online for convenience, variety or just to avoid the crowded stores. Online scammers are hoping to take advantage of these shoppers. Montgomery County Prosecutor May Heck Jr. offers ways to avoid having your money or your identity stolen while shopping or selling online.
⢠If you are selling an item online, do not accept a check for an item for more than the asking price. It is probably a scam. These individuals will often request that you send money back to them for the amount over your asking price. The check that you received from them is probably fraudulent and will bounce. And any money you sent back will be lost. Do not ship the item or refund any overpayments until the check you receive has cleared your bank.
⢠Never wire-transfer money to make a purchase online. You may never receive your item and your money is now lost.
⢠When ordering an item online with a credit or debit card, make sure the website is marked as âhttpsâ rather than just âhttpâ. The âsâ at the end means it is a secure website and is much safer for you to input your credit or debit card information. If it is only an âhttpâ site, you may be scammed or your identity may be stolen.
Use these tips to have a safe and wonderful holiday season.
If you would like to send receive Heck's SCAM ALERT update, send your email address to: newsletter@mcpo.com to be added to the distribution list.
⢠If you are selling an item online, do not accept a check for an item for more than the asking price. It is probably a scam. These individuals will often request that you send money back to them for the amount over your asking price. The check that you received from them is probably fraudulent and will bounce. And any money you sent back will be lost. Do not ship the item or refund any overpayments until the check you receive has cleared your bank.
⢠Never wire-transfer money to make a purchase online. You may never receive your item and your money is now lost.
⢠When ordering an item online with a credit or debit card, make sure the website is marked as âhttpsâ rather than just âhttpâ. The âsâ at the end means it is a secure website and is much safer for you to input your credit or debit card information. If it is only an âhttpâ site, you may be scammed or your identity may be stolen.
Use these tips to have a safe and wonderful holiday season.
If you would like to send receive Heck's SCAM ALERT update, send your email address to: newsletter@mcpo.com to be added to the distribution list.