I received a startling email this morning (7:12am) confirming my purchase for $175 to "X" company for some product.  Well, I didn't use this account and had no idea who the company was so I was on alert to find out WHAT was really happening. This left me concerned knowing my husband has never ordered anything online without me...maybe he got brave!  OR...maybe he didn't!

Tis the Season to be SHOPPING ONLINE and using credit cards, debit cards and other online accounts.  BE CAREFUL shopping, identify theft is running ramped!  I looked at the email and it came directly from a reputable company of which I've used in the past for online purchases but not in the last 3 months at least.  Needless to say, I was concerned.  I went directly to their website (without clicking on any of the email links conveniently offered) for guidance.

Legitimate companies will NEVER ask you for the following information via email:

• Your full name
• Your password
• Driver's license number
• Social Security number
• Credit and debit card numbers
• Pin numbers or bank account numbers

*They will not ask you to download software onto your hard drive or open an attached file.  Also, even if the email address is correct - this may be an illegitimate email.

TECHNIQUES for STEALING INFORMATION

• Impersonating a well-known organization through fraudulent (phishing) emails and spoof websites.
• Scavenging through or eavesdropping or spying on people during financial transactions and trash bins to find old bank statements or other documents with personal information
• Breaking into computer databases and retrieving information 

BE CAREFUL, as many phishing emails have links that look valid, but send you to fraudulent sites instead.   If in doubt, open a new browser window and log onto the website.  One can't be too safe!