Albutross's  Tip's on online shopping and online banking.

Online shopping on auction websites is good fun and rewarding.

A few tips to get you started.

1. Think of a user name that you will call yourself online. [ no swearwords or derogatory words.]

2. When filling in forms for these trusted websites give genuine names and addresses.

3. Open up a Paypal or Nochex account. [handy for paying for goods instantly - no charge for buying but there are charges for selling]

4. Pick a password that only you will remember [ Never give this password to anyone. Qxl or Ebay will never ask for your password  in an email]

5. Be careful when giving out bad feedback to other people [if you give bad feedback, 9 out of 10  will also give it to you]

6. Remember that when you write in CAPITAL LETTERS it is considered rude and bad language.

7. People may be on holiday or in hospital so be patient if they do not answer your emails promptly.

8. Everybody at some time will get spoof emails from people pretending to be from qxl or ebay and they will ask for your password. [do not give anybody your password]

9. At first start buying small low value items to build up your feedback score.

10. If you start selling goods please be aware of hidden charges and V.A.T. [some items may cost you more to sell than it is selling for]  It is expensive to sell small items on ebay.

11. Good luck in your quest for the perfect bargain.

Online Banking can be scary.

We have paid our Mortgage and bills online since the year 2000. So far [touch wood] we have had no problem's.

Here are a few tip's from me to anybody who is thinking of online banking. But remember that at the end of the day it is your responsibility to keep check on your money and we do not take any responsibility for your actions if you take any of our advice.

1. Make sure you have 2 accounts and use only one for online banking. [when you feel confident and safe you could link both accounts up]

2. Have virus protection and a firewall on your computer. [crucial] Pick a password that has a couple of numbers as well as letters in. example = =   ratio421each.  you can change your password whenever you want.

3. Download  Spyware software from the internet and set it up on your computer. One version can be obtained free from this location.= = http://www.spybot.info/en/download/index.html   or this one http://www.download.com/Ad-Aware-SE-Personal-Edition/3000-8022_4-10319876.html?tag=pop  .   If you want you can buy the full product and kill any spyware that may be on your computer. Check your computer daily using the spybot software. If you are with Blueyonder, they have there own security software so download it now and take the others off.

4. Always make sure that you have just enough in your online account to pay your bills and keep topping it up manually by going to the bank. If you cannot get to the bank,  get your spouse to transfer some money from their account to yours. This is good advice to make sure if there is any breach of your account, then the thieves will not get much. This is why it is best to have 2 or 3 accounts, even better if the accounts are at different banks. The only way to beat thieves, is to be as cunning as they are and to make it harder for them to steal your hard earned cash.

5. Check your online account every day, twice if possible.

6. If you have any problems at all, with thieves accessing your account, then you must phone the bank up A.S.A.P.

It is good fun paying your bills online and it can be secure if you just take time to think about your actions before you do them.

Back to the front garden.