Debit card and online shopping: how to protect yourself from scams

Today, 87% of Italian Internet users shop online and this is what emerges from a Nielsen survey in 2017. For this reason, we wonder whether the debit card we use to make purchases on the web, is safe. Unfortunately, cases of scams perpetrated against unsuspecting network users who communicate their personal data on the web, including their card number, are not rare. So let’s try to understand together how online scams are presented and what to do to avoid them, safeguarding your current account.

The first example of online fraud to watch out for to protect your savings is phishing. This term means a stratagem that criminals carry on to extort personal information from people, such as passwords, identity document numbers, but also ATM pin codes or any cards. All this happens many times using a banner, which leads to a website very similar to another  web page which really exists. To protect yourself from this type of scam, the advice is only one: prudence. Before choosing the payment method for your online purchases, remember to check very well the URL of the site you are buying from: do you think it is different from the usual? Has the graphic of the page changed? Instead, if you want to buy some products from an e-commerce you have never tried, look for some online reviews.

Speaking of phishing, it is not uncommon for the thefts of sensitive data to be carried out using electronic mail. Many scammers send emails very similar emails to the ones sent by banking institutions, correlated by a text in which they urgently invite the subject to share sensitive data related to their current account. In most cases, a good antivirus is able to recognize these messages and immediately mark them as spam. However, prudence in these cases is always necessary, so ​​never reply to emails that seem suspicious to you and that request information about your debit card or your bank account. If in doubt, always contact your bank.

Finally, whenever you buy from an e-commerce, pay attention to the goods you put in the cart, to avoid unpleasant inconveniences. Be wary of sites that are little known (a search on search engines will allow you in a few minutes to have clear the reputation of a portal) that offer goods at bargain prices. Most likely, nothing will be delivered to you. Should we therefore give up online shopping to protect our savings? No, we shouldn’t. It’s enough using our cards on reliable e-commerce.

If you desire to shop online safely but you haven’t identified yet a debit card right for you, do not hesitate to contact us.

How to choose the online bank that best suits your needs

The possibility of choosing an online bank for managing our savings, over the last decade, is the proof that the Internet has not only revolutionized our everyday life but also the ways in which we can take advantage of products and services. In our digital society, time and space are no longer important variables. Performing banking transactions without leaving your home or office, avoiding long queues and transporting multiple documents are now normal actions for anyone who decided to use online banking services. However, for the experience to be positive, it is necessary to be careful in choosing an online account. Let’s see together which are the parameters that have to be considered to find the online banking service that suits your needs best.

First of all, it is essential to reflect on the type of account you intend to open. If it is a personal one, probably your choice will be easier, because most of the banks on the web offer appropriate services to users who are looking for a personal account. On the other hand, if you have to use yout online banking for  business, you have to carefully study what different banks offer. For example, if you have to do several transfers, choose an account that, in its monthly expenses, already includes a good number of them.

The expenses are another aspect that need to be considered. An online bank has much more advantageous costs compared to a bank physically present on the territory, but you must always try to understand which services are included. For example, if you are looking for a free prepaid card, choose a bank that provides one without any other costs.

Last, but not least, parameter to consider is the customer service: protect your savings and distrust those who doesn’t provide a fast and immediate assistance to their customers.

If you want to know discover more about online bank’s world or you don’t know which account would be suitable for your needs, do not hesitate to contact us.

Business bank account: is it possible to reduce operating costs?

There are several possibilities for small, medium and large companies to better manage their financial operations. An online business bank account is the solution for all the companies that want to benefit from more flexible and cheaper services than the ones provided by a traditional bank, without giving up security. Let’s find out what are the advantages reserved for companies that decide to entrust the management of their assets to an online bank.

First of all, choosing an online banking service avoids the long bureaucratic procedures that usually characterize the opening of a traditional account. In fact, it will not be necessary to go to a brick-and-mortar banking institution, bringing a large amount of documents that attest your financial situation. You can easily complete the application procedure from the comfort of your home or office, using your PC or smartphone. In less than 5 minutes, you can already use the requested service. Advantages linked to the web do not end there. Thanks to the online banking you can directly control all the transactions and incoming and outgoing money flows from your own devices.

Flexibility and convenience are features that are well known to be the basis of an online banking service. But many entrepreneurs wonder if opening an online business bank account also means a partial reduction in management costs. The answer to this question is certainly affirmative, because the institutions that offer online financial services very often have really competitive rates, which allow you to make transfers and keep the account open at reasonable prices. Furthermore, free benefits are often included, such as a debit card. By carefully evaluating the numerous proposals on the web, it will not be difficult to understand which type of account suites best your company and what are your primary needs.

If you want to know more about opening a business bank account and you would like to find out which are the best solutions for your business, do not hesitate to contact us. We will be happy to present you with the most suitable proposals for your needs.