Have you ever noticed after visiting some websites and especially after placing an order online that there is a sudden spike in the number of junk e-mails and pop-up ads that appear on your computer. What you may not realize is that the information that you voluntarily or even involuntarily provided to to the online shopping cart on the site that you got that great deal from, may have been automatically loaded into a database that was then distributed to dozens or even hundreds of online and offline advertisers ! The following simple graphic illustrates the process.
Websites that participate in this type of scheme will typically sell product at almost giveaway prices, but believe me they'll make up for their lack of profit by re-selling your personal information over and over again to online and offline advertisers. Websites that use this type of tactic are typically small one man businesses operating from home that are difficult to reach by phone and may operate from a PO box. Some may post a physical address, but will never give you directions to their location for fear that you will discover what their operation is really about.
Things to watch out for when shopping online:
1. Does the website answer their phone ?
2. Does the website offer directions to their physical location ?
3. Does the website use a shopping cart and what are the privacy policies regarding the use of the website and (this is important) what are the privacy policies regarding the use of the shopping cart !
4. Is the website a one man show or is it owned by a larger, established reputable business. Don't let a fancy looking website fool you. Anybody can buy a website template and claim to be a mega corporation when in reality they're operating from a garage. Check the business out. Even though you don't live nearby, call and ask for directions to the business.
A couple of years ago, our new dealer manager told me a story about an individual that he had visited that had expressed an interest in selling solar panels. What was claimed to be an office turned out to be a small trailer in the back of someone's home. The prospective dealer was currently in the business of selling video games online and was apparently doing a pretty good business using his father's credit card merchant account to process credit cards.
What our dealer manager saw was appalling to say the least ! This individual had credit card numbers and customer information scribbled on pieces of paper strewn all over the floor. Anyone could have walked in and stolen hundred's of customer identities and credit card information while this man was away, there was not so much as a filing cabinet in the whole place. While the manager was there, he said the phone must of rang 20 times and not once did this individual answer the phone. (so much for customer service)
Well needless to say this video game vendor never became one of our dealers. Our point obviously is not to make you fearful of buying video games online, I'm sure their are plenty of reputable video game dealers out there. Our point is simply GET TO KNOW WHO YOU'RE BUYING FROM !
At Solatron Technologies, we'll never collect your IP address, we don't use cookies to track your Internet usage and we don't use a risky shopping cart. Every one of our orders is taken by a live person and any information that we ask for is only used for the purpose of processing your order. For your protection, all of our credit card transactions are securely processed through Bank of America, one of the nation's leading banking institutions. Once your credit card has been processed, your credit card information never goes into a data base, it is immediately destroyed using a commercial grade cross cut shredder and is securely disposed of.
Here's a few links to websites that offer great tips on how to protect yourself while shopping online !
Six Questions You Should Ask Any Dealer Before Buying Anything Online
The US government's website on to protect yourself against identity theft
The Identity Theft Resource Center
The US Department of Justice Fraud Division
The Coalition Against Unsolicited Commercial E-mail
The Federal Trade Commission's Website On Spam E-mail