With help from the FTC, here are five steps that you can take to protect yourself from fraud if you or your business use eBay:
- Change your eBay password. When you create your new password, mix letters, numbers, and special characters.
- If you used your eBay ID or password for other accounts, change them, too.
- Don't confirm or provide personal information in response to an email or text, and don't click on links in unexpected messages. It seems obvious, since legitimate companies won't ask for bank or credit card information, Social Security numbers, passwords, or other sensitive information through unsecured channels. But it's very easy to click a link inadvertently, out of reflex.
- Review your credit card and bank statements .
- Check your personal credit reports. Monitoring your personal credit report is a good way to find out if someone has opened credit in your name. You're entitled to a free report every 12 months from each of the three credit bureaus: Equifax, Experian and TransUnion. To get your report, visit AnnualCreditReport.com
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The content of this article is intended to provide a general guide to the subject matter. Specialist advice should be sought about your specific circumstances.
