TIPS FOR ONLINE USE OF CREDIT CARD

When using their card in the online world, consumers should only use ‘secure’ web pages — which can be identified by the locked padlock icon on the lower left hand corner of the browser. In addition, consumers should watch out for e-mails that could potentially be part of a phishing scam. They should look out for the following phrases in an e-mail:

‘Verify your account’: Businesses should not ask you to send passwords, login names, social security numbers, or other personal information through e-mail. ’If you don’t respond within 48 hours, your account will be closed’: These messages convey a sense of urgency, so that you’ll respond immediately. ’Dear Valued Customer’: Phishing email messages are usually sent out in bulk and often do not contain your first or last name.

Click the link below to gain access to your account’: HTML-formatted messages can contain links or forms that you can fill out just as you’d fill out a form on a web site. The links that you are urged to click may contain all or part of a real company’s name and are usually ‘masked’.