The Federal Bureau of Investigation provides the following tips to help consumers avoid business fraud:
* Purchase merchandise from reputable dealers or establishments.
* Try to obtain a physical address rather than merely a post office box and a phone number; call the seller to see if the number is correct and working.
* Send the company an e-mail to see if it has an active e-mail address; be wary of those that utilize free e-mail services where a credit card wasn't required to open the account.
* Consider not purchasing from sellers who won't provide you with this type of information.
* Purchase merchandise directly from the individual/company that holds the trademark, copyright, or patent.
* Beware when responding to e-mail that may not have been sent by a reputable company.
The FBI Web site on Internet Fraud contains numerous resources to help consumers recognize fraudulent businesses as well as other Internet scams. Go to Internet Fraud.
The Better Business Bureau is a resource you can contact to see how many, if any, complaints have been made about a particular business/company. They can only tell you how many complaints have been made, not the exact wording of the complaints.
The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission sponsors a Web site that will help you spot different types of Internet fraud, inform you as to what the SEC is doing to fight Internet investment scams, and how to use the Internet to invest wisely. Go to SEC.
Resources on Internet safety are abundant. PC Magazine has a site, Internet Safety, to share resources with families regarding general issues.
