Johan

Do’s and Don’ts to Minimize the Risk of Fraud

There are a number of things you can do to minimize the risk of being defrauded online. A little bit of vigilance and common sense can go a long way towards keeping you safe. Here are some do’s and don’ts.

Do Protect Your Identity at All Costs

Shop only at reputable sites. Keep passwords secure. Change them regularly.

Don’t Click on Links in Emails

Be especially vigilant if the email claims to come from your bank or a sender you don’t know. Many of these links will take you to a fraudulent site where they will try to get money from you. Or they might be phishing sites trying to steal your identity. They might also be spoof banking sites and PayPal to try to steal your username and password and thus gain access to the account.

Do Use Antivirus Software and Keep It Up to Date

These programs aren’t perfect, but they do offer a lot more protection than not having any installed at all.

Don’t Store Credit Card Information at ECommerce Sites

One-click shopping can be very convenient, but with so many data breaches these days, the last thing you want to do is make it easy for cybercriminals to steal your financial data.

Do Be Vigilant about the Identities of Email Senders and Website Owners

It only takes a few minutes to check on whether or not the website or email contact information is legitimate. You can also go to Network Solutions’ WHOIS database to see who owns the site, how long it has been in business, and so on. https://www.networksolutions.com/whois/index.jsp

Don’t Shop at Overseas Sites

US residents will get consumer protection shopping at a US-based site, but will have little to no recourse if you are scammed by an overseas site. Check the contact information and do a company search on Google as well.

Do Use a Credit Card to Pay, Not Debit Card or Check

A credit card will give you the greatest amount of protection from fraud. You have up to 30 days to report fraudulent activity, as compared with only 48 hours for debit cards. Issues with checks can take weeks to track down.

Don’t Fall Prey to Fake Contest Scams

These scammers tell you that you’ve won a prize and will often ask for shipping and handling to get it. Then they have your financial information, address, and so on to do with as they wish.

Do Sign Up for Free Scam Alerts from the FTC

The Federal Trade Commission in the US keeps a watchful eye out for the latest scams, and posts them here: https://www.consumer.ftc.gov/features/scam-alerts

Sign up for email alerts and check the page regularly to help keep you and your family safe.

Don’t Get Scammed by Free Trial Offers

These can be used to steal your important information. They can also end up hitting your account with renewals each month if you are not careful. Check your PayPal account regarding autopayment settings and delete repeat payments as needed.

Do File a Police Report

Look up your precinct and file a non-urgent incident report. Having a record of going to see the police could help give you more protection if the fraud is extreme.

Do Report It to the FTC If You Are the Victim of a Scam

Go to https://www.ftccomplaintassistant.gov/#crnt&panel1-1 and give full details of what happened. They rely on the public to help spot scams and stop them.

You can never be 100% safe online, but these guidelines will help minimize the risk of fraud.

Alternatives to Disposable Coffee Cups and Water Bottles

Many people in the US have a coffee shop habit which results in mountains of trash every year, including plastic or plastic-coated cups, plastic lids, plastic stirrers and straws, and more. Half a billion plastic straws are discarded every day in the US alone; imagine what this could add up to on a global scale.

In terms of health, most of us now know that it is important for us to stay hydrated. The recommended guidelines suggest 8 eight-ounce glasses of fresh water per day. That is the equivalent of four bottles of water per day.

The Need to Recycle

Not everyone is careful about how they dispose of their trash. And not everyone takes the trouble to recycle. Others will reuse the same bottle, refilling it from the tap or from a filtered water jug. Even assuming some people take time and trouble over their trash, can you imagine the amount of plastic bottles polluting our landfills and oceans?

The Dangers of Plastic

Plastics are a particular threat to marine life. The huge trash slick in the Pacific Ocean sits in warm water, exposed to the sun every day. Chemicals of various kinds leach from the plastic. The plastic also increases the temperature and acidity of the water, having a major impact on this delicate eco-system. Plastic has even been found to contaminate the waters around Antarctica despite there being no human habitation there.

The plastic also leaches into our drinking water. The resulting contamination interferes with endocrine function (thyroid issues, diabetes) and with our sex hormones, potentially leading to difficulty conceiving, low sperm counts, and more.

Alternatives to Plastic Water Bottles

There are a number of alternatives to plastic water bottles. One is stainless steel. Most models have a clip on the top of the bottles so you can take them with you anywhere. They are very durable and will last for years.

Glass bottles are another alterative to many European brands of mineral water are found in glass bottles. They are reusable and recyclable.

The Hydro Flask is reusable and insulated as well, so it is good for both hot and cold drinks. The models vary in terms of openings at the top, such as wide-mouth, suitable for a straw, and so on.

Or you might wish to try the Lifefactory glass water bottle, which is durable, leak-proof and comes in a range of colors.

Coffee Cup Chaos

It’s easy to cut down on coffee cup chaos. It is just a question of how frugal you want to be. The cheapest solution is to make coffee yourself at home using a traditional coffee maker with a reusable stainless steel filter to avoid on paper filter waste. Buy a travel mug and take your coffee with you everywhere.

If you just can’t stay out of Dunkin or Starbucks, bring your travel mug with you and ask them to place your drink in the mug.

Contigo offers a range of travel mugs in a variety of colors. All are stainless steel and therefore incredibly durable.

Ecoffee offers some gorgeous alternatives to paper coffee cups in their range of reusable bamboo cups. They’re lightweight and many are attractive enough to be a work of art.