Brandon FL | Valrico FL Real Estate Chatter

I received a startling email this morning (7:12am) confirming my purchase for $175 to "X" company for some product.  Well, I didn't use this account and had no idea who the company was so I was on alert to find out WHAT was really happening. This left me concerned knowing my husband has never ordered anything online without me...maybe he got brave!  OR...maybe he didn't!

Tis the Season to be SHOPPING ONLINE and using credit cards, debit cards and other online accounts.  BE CAREFUL shopping, identify theft is running ramped!  I looked at the email and it came directly from a reputable company of which I've used in the past for online purchases but not in the last 3 months at least.  Needless to say, I was concerned.  I went directly to their website (without clicking on any of the email links conveniently offered) for guidance.

Legitimate companies will NEVER ask you for the following information via email:

• Your full name
• Your password
• Driver's license number
• Social Security number
• Credit and debit card numbers
• Pin numbers or bank account numbers

*They will not ask you to download software onto your hard drive or open an attached file.  Also, even if the email address is correct - this may be an illegitimate email.

TECHNIQUES for STEALING INFORMATION

• Impersonating a well-known organization through fraudulent (phishing) emails and spoof websites.
• Scavenging through or eavesdropping or spying on people during financial transactions and trash bins to find old bank statements or other documents with personal information
• Breaking into computer databases and retrieving information 

BE CAREFUL, as many phishing emails have links that look valid, but send you to fraudulent sites instead.   If in doubt, open a new browser window and log onto the website.  One can't be too safe!

What are the rules anyhow?  Should families trying to sell their home decorate their house inside and out at the holidays?  Is this encouraged or discouraged in your book?  It looks really pretty at night...don't you think?

Does this make the house look cluttered or too personal?  Does it "junk up" the yard with all this "stuff" hanging around in the daytime?  As long as it's dark outside you don't notice the clutter.  At this house there are even bulbs hanging from the tree if you can see them.  Is there an etiquette for homes on the market at Christmas?

I had sellers one year who wrapped Christmas lights all over my sign!  I cracked up when I drove by one evening.  She had it pretty cluttered inside too...but was I going to tell her NOT to decorate and enjoy the holidays with her 3 young children?  NOPE...so I let it ride and she cleaned it up after the New Year.

ANY OUTRAGEOUS STORIES of DECORATIONS at the holidays?  Share them or show them if you have pictures...right here!

PS...Do the Northern states decorate as much "outside" with all the snow?  I've lived in Florida since I was 6-years-old and can't say I really remember.