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Entry bubble Scareware Scams

By: Colleen | December 17, 2008 | Category: Money

online scamIf you're anything like me, you've been doing your best to avoid any retail places during the holiday season. I'd love to shake the hand of whoever invented online shopping!

As always though, "buyer beware!" Scams and frauds are all over the internet, particularly during the "most wonderful time of the year."

The latest one preys on people actually trying to protect their computers. This "scareware" scheme comes in the form of a pop-up that appears on your screen while you have a web browser open. It might say something like, "Beware! Your computer has been infected!" Or, "Malicious software has been detected!" When you click on the pop-up, you will get an offer to buy software like "Winfixer" or "ErrorSafe" that claims to protect your computer from viruses. These different softwares will cost you around $30-40 and are totally bogus. They will tell you your problems have been fixed, when in reality, there was nothing to fix in the first place. But your wallet will be a tad lighter.

Over a million people have been duped by this type of fraud. The FTC has pushed for a court order to be signed to try and halt the broad-reaching scheme.

To best protect your computer:

  • Make sure you have legitimate anti-virus, anti-spyware, and firewall software.
  • If you get one of these pop-ups claiming you have a virus, close the whole browser. Do not click the link, or even the "x" box at the top.
  • Use the control/alt/delete function if your browser won't respond to your exit.

If you've been scammed by "spyware" you can report it at www.ftc.gov, or by calling 1-877-FTC-HELP. For information on dealing with other types of scams and frauds, check out the Pueblo scam site.

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Entry bubble Sneaky Tips for Shopping Online

By: Nancy | December 11, 2008 | Category: Money

Are you finding this holiday season rushed, stressful and confusing?

I am! And my being sick isn’t helping. (Would you believe that I have laryngitis AGAIN? ) Third time this year. The last time I had it back in July, I decided to do all my car buying negotiations online. Bidding seven dealers against each other, I ended up getting a great price. That experience worked so well, I’ve decided during this latest bout of speechlessness to forgo the mall and do all of my holiday shopping online too.

There are some great bargains out there. But I’ve got some sneaky tips that can help you get even better deals, not just during the holidays, but anytime you’re shopping online.

I’m kind of methodical when I’m buying something. I hit websites like CNET.com and ConsumerSearch.com to compare features, read professional reviews and get the ratings and reviews of people who already bought the product I’m considering.

Once I figure out the brand and model number, I use sites like Shopzilla and MySimon to compare prices.

Now for the sneaky part: coupon codes. As you’re getting ready to make your purchase on most online stores, you’ll see a little box to type in a coupon, promotional, or discount code. Online stores usually send coupon codes to their email update subscribers. Happily, you don’t need to clog up your email in-box with every store’s email updates. Just go to a site like CouponCabin.com and type in the name of the online store you’re interested in, to see what offer pops up. Cut and paste or type the coupon code into the box before you check out of the online store and depending on the offer, you can get a percentage off discount or even free merchandise.

The thing I don’t like about buying from online stores is their shipping and handling fee. Is it my imagination or do some online stores seem to inflate their shipping costs? I’m so cheap. So I was delighted when I found websites like FreeShipping.org that search online stores for free shipping deals. In the past week, I’ve saved over $20 in shipping from one online store alone, using the free shipping code I found on FreeShipping.org.

For ways to make sure the online seller you’ve chosen is reputable and for tips on what to do if your purchase isn’t what you hoped it would be, check out USA.gov’s section on shopping from home.

What are you buying online this holiday season?

| Post a Comment | View Comments [5] | envelope E-mail This Entry | Tags: coupons   money   nancy   online   shopping  

 

Entry bubble Buying Prescription Drugs Online

By: Nicole | July 11, 2008 | Category: Health

Prescription medicine pillsA recent study found that 85% of websites that sold prescription drugs directly to consumers didn’t require a doctor’s prescription. That’s an alarming statistic, especially when one considers the danger of prescription drug abuse and fake medication.

It’s no secret that the price of prescription drugs in this country continues to rise at an incredible rate. For many people, especially those who take maintenance prescriptions, these rising costs can have a serious impact.

Some consumers have discovered that they can fill their prescriptions cheaper and easier online. In fact, some insurance companies require policy holders to do so.

One way online pharmacies reduce costs is by automatically using generic drugs unless prohibited by your physician’s order. Whether or not you buy online, you can usually save some cash by opting for generic drugs.

If you find yourself about to plunge into the sea of online pharmacies, keep these tips in mind:

  • National Association of Boards of Pharmacy logoUse the National Association of Boards of Pharmacy to research a website before using it.
  • Don't buy from sites that sell prescription drugs without a prescription or that sell drugs not approved by the FDA.
  • Only use sites that have a pharmacist available to answer your questions.
  • Only buy from sites based in the U.S. It’s against the law to buy prescription drugs from other countries. It could also be unsafe.
  • Talk to your doctor or clinic before using any medicine for the first time.

When you receive your medication, you might want to verify that it’s the right pill by searching for its image in the Drug Digest database.

Have you used an online pharmacy to buy meds? Were you happy with the experience?

| View Comments [4] | envelope E-mail This Entry | Tags: buy   doctor   drugs   generic   internet   medications   meds   nicole   online   online_pharmacies   pharmacist   pills   prescriptions   purchase   sales  

 

Entry bubble E-file Your Taxes!

By: Jake | March 03, 2008 | Category: Money

With changing tax laws, tax rebates checks and tax cats giving advice, there's a lot to consider when filing your taxes. E-filing can make things easier. It has for me.

For the last few years I have filed my taxes electronically. I have found e-file is more accurate and it saves me time number crunching. I also receive my refund quicker than I did when I mailed my refund. I'm not the only one that's found filing online easier. The Internal Revenue Service received nearly 80 million tax returns electronically in 2007 which accounted for nearly 60 percent of all returns they received. This is not just individuals; small businesses, charities and nonprofits can also e-file.Tax Computer Key

There are some things to think about before filing your taxes electronically. If your adjusted gross income is less than $54,000 you can file for free, but if it is more you will be charged for e-filing. Some states will accept your state tax return along with your federal return, but some will not. You should check to see how your state accepts online tax returns before you file. Also if you don't normally file a tax return, but are doing so for the tax rebate checks you should contact the IRS before e-filing to see if you are eligible.

For those who want to e-file, the IRS has a searchable database of local e-file providers as well as a list of online tax preparers. Though strict government laws won't allow me to endorse what it says (Oh, I'd only lose my job) and it's not a tip from their expert, the tax cat, you may want to check out the Consumerist post last week about how these online tax preparers rank.

| View Comments [4] | envelope E-mail This Entry | Tags: e file   jake   online   taxes  

 

Entry bubble Gov Gifts

By: Nancy | December 06, 2007 | Category: Home and Family

wrapped gifts Tired of the fighting the crowds yet? I still haven't been out shopping this holiday season, but I'll get around to it. Maybe. If I can shake this cold and if I can't find something online for everyone on my gift list.

Confined to my couch with a bag of cough drops and a carton of orange juice (which taste really nasty together), and needing to get my shopping under way, I've been poking around USA.gov's page devoted to government books, souvenirs and gift shops for unusual presents. Turns out some of them were no farther away than my very own office.

The Federal Citizen Information Center, where we Gov Gabbers work, started out back in the 70s as the place that distributed government booklets from Pueblo, Colorado. Even though FCIC has added all sorts of online services over the years, millions of people still clamor for those booklets from Pueblo. And it dawned on me that many of those booklets make good "go-withs" for larger holiday gifts. I'm going to tuck a couple of the online safety booklets into my mom's Christmas stocking to accompany the new computer she'll find under the tree.

Another gift idea that appealed to me was the collection of recordings from the Library of Congress American Folk Life Center on cassette  or CD. Work songs, blues, spirituals, cowboy ballads--this is the kind of thing that makes my heart go pitter pat because I love looking back at America's past and people through folk songs and storytelling. And a couple of my friends do too, so I can check two more names off my list.

Have a collector in your life? grover cleveland christmas ornamentThe government has lots of holiday ornaments, including favorites from the US Capitol and the White House Historical Association, which is featuring President Grover Cleveland's wedding on this year's annual ornament. And the US Postal Service's online store features an assortment of ornaments based on popular stamps, as well as collections of the stamps themselves and other gifts.

You can find cool stuff for adults and kids from NASA like a Space Shuttle flight suit for the child on your list who says he or she wants to grow up to be an astronaut. The National Zoo has gifts for animal lovers--especially fans of the zoo's panda bears. And the Smithsonian Institution's online store is full of collectibles, jewelry, toys and art, tied to various Smithsonian exhibits. My favorite Smithsonian store was located in the National Museum of American History which is closed until next summer for renovations. But the online store has a lot of the goodies I'd find there.

There are so many more gift ideas to tell you about. But my cold medicine is kicking in and before I start typing gibberish or make an online purchase I won't remember later when the cough suppressant wears off, I'll get offline and let you do some 'gov gift' exploring on your own.

| View Comments [2] | envelope E-mail This Entry | Tags: gift   holiday   nancy   online   shopping  

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