A new UK website, launched today, has a subtly (and I think importantly) different “spin” on online security.
The site is www.e-victims.org, where the emphasis is not so much on offering up-front security advice (for that, the UK-oriented site I’d recommend is www.getsafeonline.org), and not on reporting incidents to the police (who probably don’t have the capability to investigate anyway), but on offering practical down-to-earth advice on your rights and your next steps in complaining or getting recompense.
In many cases, you’re in trouble — pay for a cheap camera from China using Western Union or a debit card, and you’re going to have to chalk it up to experience. However, if you order from a UK company with your credit card and the goods arrive damaged then this is the site for you [contact the seller, not the courier company to deal with the damage; the Sale of Goods Act means that what you receive must be of satisfactory quality; and if you spent between 100 and 30000 pounds then the Consumer Credit Act means that the credit card company should reimburse you].
The site has launched with content for e-shopping victims (no Virginia, not that sort of victim) — and over the coming year will add more topics (phishing is specifically mentioned). If the site continues to give clear and down-to-earth advice as to whether or not you’ll be able to do anything about your problem, and if so what, then it will serve a very useful purpose indeed. Bookmark it for when you need it!
ObDisclaimer: The site is run by people I’ve known for decades, and I was so enthusiastic that I’ve been asked onto their Advisory Council. So you’d expect me to be enthusiastic here as well!
“The site is run by people I’ve known for decades, ”
I’ve just looked and “Oh yes indeed”. Disclaimer: I’ve known them for decades too.
> Please install Flash® and turn on Javascript.
This is not what appears on websites I bookmark.
Interesting concept. And it probably is a new enough spin to be valid. Unfortunately, I think more people would be interested in knowing what to do after they’ve been scammed than how to avoid being scammed in the first place…