Sunday Newscape Magazine

With millions shopping, there are losers watching!  Remember that this holiday season. Every time you swipe your bank card or buy something online the hackers will be salivating over their keyboards looking for easy money.

A few weeks ago, my column was testament on how these losers came knocking on my door. To put it mildly, it was a nightmare. Not only did my wife and I fight to save our name, but the banks fought against us vigorously not to cover our losses. The outcome was a losing battle on all fronts.

Fear not, there is a solution. It’s time to stop offering free piggy banks to hackers and fight fire with fire. In other words, hackers know the secrets to stealing our money. Why not give them a taste of their own medicine and not have any money for them to steal.

Sounds simple, but do we really want to go back and carry wads of cash? I don’t, nor will I put myself at risk. The trick is using others plastic as an alternative.

Here’s how. First develop a budget for all you need to pick up this holiday season. Next, find a retailer or bank near you that offers prepaid bank cards. If you have a certain retailer you prefer perhaps use their gift card instead. For a small fee you’ve just become virtually invisible. Most important, you have a card and budget that will save your name and assets.

When I did research I did not have to go far. Right down the street at my local drug store; which is a national chain, I found over 100 different cards to choose from. The fee’s range from a couple dollars on up and you can even reload some cards with cash when you run out. My personal preference is the one shot card. If somehow your card is breached in anyway you will know how much is stolen and they can’t obtain your personal information in the process. The key is to buy these cards with cash so you don’t leave a money trail from the point of purchase. Retailers are sitting targets for hackers so use your head and do not buy these with credit or you will defeat the purpose.

I wish to thank a good friend and co-worker of my wife who offered this idea to us. She listened to my wife as she spilled her guts during this troubling period and offered her advice which I am now passing on to you. Unfortunately, this good friend is going through a troubling period as well, but still took the time not to think of herself and to listen.

I hope all of you benefit from this useful and necessary information. These little tidbits go a long way, so use this information wisely.

As for the hackers, we are going to be your worst nightmare. It’s time to get a real job!

© Jerry Maldonado all rights reserved