The Web Sheriff Provides Tips for Safe On-Line
Shopping Down Under
January 11, 2012 06:05 PM Eastern Time
SYDNEY--(EON: Enhanced Online News)--With 2011 having closed out with record numbers of online
transactions 2012 is set for even more record-breaking as shoppers discover the benefits of the virtual high street
from the comfort of their homes. But beware, cyber-crooks are lurking just a keypad stroke away, ready to turn
unsuspecting consumers into victims of online crime.
Currently in Australia, John Giacobbi, who polices the Internet for many of the World’s most famous recording
artists and is better known as the “Web Sheriff,” provides some advice for safe shopping down under.
Here are a few tips from the posse at Web Sheriff as to the Do’s-and-Don’ts of on-line shopping this summer
season.
NEVERgive personal info in response to unsolicited e-mails. – This is the biggest ‘No-No’ of them all and, if
you receive an e-mail asking you to register your contact or credit card details, never (and we mean NEVER) oblige
or even respond – this is the scam known as ‘phishing’.
ONLY order from web-sites that publish their addresses. – This is also vitally important - never order from a
web shop that doesn’t publish its postal address and the identity of the company or owner. Consumer protection
laws make this a legal requirement and you should ideally have a contact telephone number as well. That way, you
can also see where your goods are coming from, as it’s a long way to Long Beach if your surfboard arrives
damaged!
ALWAYScheck the e-mail address that shopping offers come from. – Crooks can lure you in with authentic
looking e-mails so, no matter how plausible or official an email looks, remember to double-check the address that it
comes from, sadly, you’ll all-too-often find that, though similar, the e-mail address is subtly different from the one it
should be.
BE SUREto use well-known sites if you want to buy by auction. – If you fancy yourself as a cyber-bidder, then
play-safe and shop via established sites such as eBay or iOffer and, whichever auction site you choose, read the
small print and make sure that they have a proper complaint procedures and full contact details.
BE SMARTabout payment methods. – Paypal tends to be a much safer way of effecting payments without
having to give-out your debit card or credit card details to strangers and, even if dealing with an established retailer,
paying by credit card affords you with greater protection than charge or debit cards, as the card companies are
legally obliged to reimburse you if you buy a lemon or are a victim of fraud.
DON’Tpublish your holiday plans on-line. – On a more general level, social networking sites may be great for
spreading holiday cheer, but they’re also a gold mine of personal information that crooks piece together for identity
theft and house break-ins. So, if you insist upon posting Facebook messages or Tweets about your summer holiday
plans, expect more than a kangaroo knocking at your front door!
DOuse e-mail scanning software – If you’re buying a new computer in 2012, remember to include mail scanning
software to protect you and your family from spam, junk mail, viruses and crooks ‘phishing’ for your data.
BE CAREFUL OUT THERE – DON’T GET MUGGED BY A CYBER-CROOK AND HAVE A SAFE
AND HAPPY 2012 IN CYBERSPACE !
For more information www.websheriff.com
Contacts
for Web Sheriff
Australia
Amanda Buckworth, 02 9451 0847
Mobile: 0413 949 140
amanda@abpublicity.com.au
or
USA
Phil Lobel, 310-271-1551
phil@lobeline.com
Recent Stories from Web Sheriff
l
A Christmas Present from The Web Sheriff – Tips for Safe On-Line Shopping
December 12, 2011
LOS ANGELES--(EON: Enhanced Online News)--Beware of lurking cyber-crooks this holiday season
turning unsuspecting consumers into victims of identity theft, fraud and other forms of online crime. more »
l
Web Sheriff Files Legal Action in 'Cold War' Against Alleged Russian Imposters
July 08, 2011
LOS ANGELES--(EON: Enhanced Online News)--A digital Cold War has manifested itself as Web Sheriff,
the world’s leading copyright and anti-piracy protection agency, fires the first shots in an inter... more »
l
Web Sheriff Comes to Hollywood: Music’s Top Web Enforcer Brings New Approach to Fight against Movie
Piracy
March 02, 2011
LOS ANGELES--(EON: Enhanced Online News)--The Web’s top cop just got tougher. Established as the
world’s leading music piracy specialist, Web Sheriff has been making significant inroads into film p... more »
Release Tags
l Amazon
l consumer
l credit cards
l email
l hacking
l internet piracy
l Lady Gaga
l online fraud
l piracy
l scams
l web safety
l web sheriff
Website
5
6
3 4
Categories
News by Industry
l Banking (Consumer)
l Business
l Computers & Technology
l Consumer
l Digital Media
l e-Commerce
l Electronics (Consumer)
l Enterprise Software
l Fraud & Identify Theft (Consumer)
l Gifts & Collectibles (Consumer)
l Holiday & Seasonal (Retail)
l Internet
l Law Enforcement
l Lifestyle & Society
l Online Marketing & SEO
l Online Retail
l Public Services
l Retail
l Retail (Business)
l Security (Computers & Technology)
l Seniors (Consumer)
l Tourism & Travel (Business)
l Websites & Internet (Consumer)
l Women (Consumer)
News by Subject
l Advisory
l Photo/Multimedia
News by Geography
l Australia
l Australia/Oceania
Smart Multimedia Gallery
John Giacobbi, who polices the Internet for many of the World's most famous recording artists from his London
headquarters and is better known as the "Web Sheriff," provides some advice for safe shopping during his tour of
Australia. (Photo: Business Wire)
View and Share Photo
l Download Small
l Download Full Size
View and Share Logo
l Download Small
l Download Full Size
Release Summary
John Giacobbi aka Web Sheriff, who polices the Internet for many of the World’s most famous recording artists
from his London headquarters provides consumer advice for safe shopping online.
Web Sheriff
Opens in new window
l Website
Opens in new window
l Blog
l News Feed
Share
l