Johan

Online Shopping Scams

Everyone loves to get bargains and enjoys life being as convenient as possible. Online shopping can offer both. However, it can also be a double-edged sword due to the number of online shopping scams that have sprung up. Here are several to keep an eye on.

1. Copied Sites

Many name brands’ sites are being copied in order to trick shoppers into buying from them instead of getting the real deal from the genuine site. At best, you might end up with knockoffs from China. At worst, you might have your identity stolen. Knockoffs cost companies almost one trillion dollars a year, so check out the sites you shop at carefully to make sure they are real.

2. Huge Discounts

Sites that offer huge discounts all the time are suspect because brand-name goods should sell for more and these supposed bargains are more than likely either knockoffs, or lures to spend money but no goods will ever be delivered. Go to Google Shopping to compare prices and then shop around until you find the right item. Avoid the bargain basement — you get what you pay for.

3. A Bad Website

If you see spelling and grammar errors and the whole site looks like it has been thrown together, this is not a site you should be shopping at.

4. Not a Secure Socket Layer (SSL)

Sites with https:// in front of them have an SSL certificate, which is a higher level of security than a regular website. Most scam sites will not bother to get certified.

5. Suspicious Domain Names

In terms of URLs, the brand name and .com extension are preferred and usually a sign of a legitimate site. However, many new extensions have become available, meaning scammers can use the brand names for a time until they are eventually caught. Extensions such as .net, .us, .info and more are all used to create sites that look like the real ones, but aren’t.

6. The Site Was Just Created

Search for the URL at https://www.networksolutions.com/whois/index.jsp and check the creation date. If it is recent, chances are the site has been started for the express purpose of scamming unsuspecting shoppers.

7. They Don’t Accept Credit or Debit Card Payments

Beware of any site that requires you to pay by wire transfer, pre-paid gift cards, bitcoin or other cryptocurrency. These are not secure methods and in most cases, you will not be able to get your money back.

8. They Ask For Too Much Personal Information

No site should ask you for your social security number or other details that could be used to steal your identity.

9. Their Physical Mailing Address Is Not Legitimate

Thanks to Google and MapQuest.com, you can pretty much find any address in the world, see a map of it, and get a Google satellite image of it. If the address does not exist, or the building looks suspicious, don’t shop at that site.

10. No Clear Terms for Doing Business with Them

The site should have terms of service and a refund policy. The refund policy should usually be to refund in full within 30 days. Some states, like Florida, give only 20 days. Full details should be provided on how to return the item and get the refund. Beware of charges like credit card transaction fees and restocking fees, which can take a big bite out of your refund.

11. Bad Reviews

Type in the name of the site or the product you are thinking of buying, and then add the word “scam”. Take seriously all the feedback you find before doing business with that site.

12. Delivery Problems on EBay and Amazon Marketplace

Beware of individual sellers who don’t send your goods. They have either mixed up their inventory levels, or they are running a scam.

Nine Ways to Cut Down on Plastic in the Home

If you’re concerned about green issues in your household, you’ve probably heard just how bad plastics can be for your health and for the environment. If you want to live cleaner and greener, here are some ways to cut down on plastic in your home.

1. Be Clear about Your Local Recycling Program

At present, there are seven different categories of recyclable plastic. If plastic is recyclable, you should see the recycle symbol stamped on it, and a number inside the symbol. The number will tell you the type of plastic it is. Not every recycling plant can handle all seven types of waste, so be vigilant about what you are putting out so it does not end up in the landfill. If it can’t be recycled, see if you can use it for other purposes around the home.

2. Say No to Straws

More than half a billion straws are ending up in the trash every day in the US alone. Reusable options you can buy and carry with you include paper, bamboo, stainless steel, and glass.

3. Invest in Your Own Coffee-Making Equipment

Vast mountains of plastic-coated coffee cups and lids end up in landfills every day. Skip the expensive habit and make it yourself at home using a traditional coffee machine and a reusable stainless steel filter. Buy a travel mug to take your hot drinks with you anywhere. Compost the coffee grounds and use them in your garden or potted plants.

4. Invest in a Water Filter and Stainless Steel Water Bottle

Mountains of small plastic water bottles now litter the planet and as the quality of our water gets worse, the number of bottles continues to grow. Consider investing in a Brita pitcher to filter your water, or a filter that attaches to the tap in your kitchen. Carry fresh water everywhere you go in a durable stainless steel water bottle.

5. Say No to Plastic Wrap

One of the main issues with plastic wrap and plastic bottles, in addition to what they do to the environment, is the problem of harmful chemicals from the plastic leaching into your food and drink. This is even more likely if you heat your food in a plastic container.

You can keep food fresh and protect yourself from plastic by wrapping your food in waxed paper first, not plastic wrap. If you then want to preserve it further, put it in a plastic container. Or consider investing in glass food storage container sets with lids.

6. Bring Reusable Containers to Your Takeaway

If you are treating yourself to a takeaway, consider bringing reusable glass containers with lids to carry your food home. Most places will use Styrofoam otherwise, which is not commonly recycled.

7. Buy Cleaning Product Refills

Many cleaning products now offer a small vial of their active cleaning solution which you can then place in your reusable spray bottle and dilute in order to use it safely. This will save on bottles and on gas being used to lug heavy bottles back and forth.

8. Invest in a SodaStream

If your family can’t live without soda, just think how many bottles and cans you could avoid putting in the trash if you were to make it yourself with a SodaStream reusable bottle system.

9. Use a Razor with Replaceable Blades Instead of a Disposable Razor

Or use an electric one – either way you will reduce plastic waste.

Follow these simple tips to cut down on plastic use in your home. Your health and the environment will both benefit.