Our Sheriff’s department put on a good class today…

Hi friends- I’ve been “out of pocket” for a few hours by spending some time in a class put on by our local Sheriff’s department here in Johnson County. In fact, the Johnson County department is the largest law enforcement department in the State of Kansas and they know their stuff!

I was really interested in this class because it pertained to a topic that we dread but unfortunately have to deal with here at Mission Repair- Internet Fraud.

According to law enforcement officials, there are several types of Internet Fraud including Auction Fraud, Non-Delivery of Merchandise, Investment Fraud, Business Fraud or one of the most infamous in recent history; Nigerian Letter or “419” Fraud.

Here are some tips for avoiding credit card fraud as it pertains to consumers:

-Don’t give out your credit card number online unless the site is a secure and reputable. Sometimes a tiny icon of a padlock appears to symbolize a higher level of security to transmit data. This icon is not a guarantee of a secure site, but provides some assurance.

-Don’t trust a site just because it claims to be secure.

-Before using the site, check out the security/encryption software it uses.

-Make sure you are purchasing merchandise from a reputable source.

-Do your homework on the individual or company to ensure that they are legitimate.

-Obtain a physical address rather than simply a post office box and a telephone number, and call the seller to see if the telephone number is correct and working.

-Send an e-mail to the seller to make sure the e-mail address is active, and 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.

-Check with the Better Business Bureau from the seller’s area.

-Check out other websites regarding this person/company.

-Don’t judge a person or company by their website. Flashy websites can be set up quickly.

-Be cautious when responding to special investment offers, especially through unsolicited e-mail.

-Be cautious when dealing with individuals/companies from outside your own country.

-If possible, purchase items online using your credit card, because you can often dispute the charges if something goes wrong.

-Make sure the transaction is secure when you electronically send your credit card number.

-Keep a list of all your credit cards and account information along with the card issuer’s contact information. If anything looks suspicious or you lose your credit card(s), contact the card issuer immediately.

While some of these tips may seem like basic knowledge to some, I was surprised to hear about the number of new questions that came up reminds me to not take Internet Security for granted. For us law abiding citizens, it’s a real threat and inconvenience to have our identity stolen.

Mission Repair does not tolerate credit card fraud, and all fraud, without exception, will be prosecuted to the full extent of the law. In addition, we will pursue civil legal action seeking any loss of income related to the fraud, including business, legal fees, research costs, employee down time and loss of revenues. We log IP strings on all orders – any orders coming back as a “charge back” due to fraudulent activities will be diligently pursued through the suspect’s local jurisdiction for prosecution to the fullest extent of the law.

We can all do our part to keep fraud at bay. We’re doing our part at Mission Repair, and we’ll be in the lookout for anyone that’s involved in criminal activity. Be safe, take care…

Ryan