Now that Rancho Bernardo is clearly on the Internet - (just look at the turnout at all the Computer Clubs!) we realize that we can be misled on the Internet in a number of ways. Probably the most common way is by misleading offers; free prizes and free vacation scams, investment frauds, credit card schemes, coupon sales, and fake or misleading charity benefits.

How we can prevent these scams: do not rush to buy a product or ever pay a special fee to claim your "free" prize. Con artists drive home the notion that you "must act immediately." Take time to reflect on the offer, or just click on ‘delete.’ Or ‘cancel’ or hang up.

Do not give anyone any of your credit card numbers or a checking account number on the Internet unless you know the company and really want to buy something. There is never a need for you to give a vender your Social Security number or any access code at all.

Ask for information before making any purchase. Be sure to get all details about the purchase: total price, all fees, cost of delivery, sales tax. After you have received this info, you can print out this information for your records. Good to have in case of problems later.

Watch out for ‘Recovery Room’ schemes. These are schemes that promise to retrieve your losses. You are promised, for an upfront fee, that they will recover any monies that you lost to other scams. Of course, they will. Not. They will take your upfront money and disappear.

If you are solicited by a "charity," find out what percentage of the money goes to the charity and not to the fund raising effort. If you have not heard of the charity, request that a brochure be sent to you through the mail. If they say, ‘we don’t have the funds to do that,’ forget them. The Better Business Bureau welcomes your questions about charities. Call them for information: 858-496-2131

When you should report: anytime you believe you have been defrauded by someone calling you on the phone, through the mail, as a result of an ad in the paper or TV, or via the Internet.

Who to report to: the National Fraud Information Center (NFIC) at 1-800-876-7060 or mail to: National Consumers League, 1701 K Street NW, Suite 1200, Washington DC 20006. They will enter the information in their incident report system and refer it to the FTC and the appropriate Attorneys General Offices. (These agencies have instant access to reports from the NFIC.) The NFIC will try to help and may be able to provide you with some assistance and advice on how to recover your money, or refer you to other agencies. Also, remember to call the Better Business Bureau at (858)496-2131. They need your input.