Discover The Price Of Webphobia
If you're still not paying your bills online it's costing you money.
Fear of the web may be stealing money from your wallet.
COSTS OF BANKING.
For instance you're paying higher fees at your bank.
Banks have been trying to shift transactions online for years.
It's no secret online banking makes it easier to service customers.
Banks still work hard to convince you to do business with them online.
And you can still get perks if you go with it.
The most convincing argument is the extra cost you get charged.
For instance customers are paying if they want hard copies of canceled checks mailed to them.
That service used to be free. Not anymore.
PAYING BILLS
Not paying your bills online costs you in some obvious ways.
The cost of a stamp to mail it is up to 44 cents.
You have to order more checks from your bank, sooner.
If you don't pay your bills online, you risk late fees.
Ever get so busy and disorganized you don't get your bill payment in the mail on time?
Then even if you swear by the mail and your mailman, sometimes
mail gets lost or delayed.
SHOPPING
Prices online are usually lower than prices in the stores.
If you avoid shopping online you miss out on some great deals.
Sometimes you don't have to pay sales tax.
For more information check out " Using the Internet Safely for Seniors for Dummies" by Linda Criddle a bill payment slips through the cracks and ends up delayed.
Comments: 10
There was this issue of late, regarding TD banking. They had merged with TD Canada and people who did online banking, could NOT access their accounts for afew days.
I don't believe in online banking. Maybe that is stupid on my part, because I am a computer person by nature.
I like the old fashioned way of doing things. Only one of my banks has the "bank books". I am talking about Hudson City Bank. I wish they all
did.
I guess I am what you would consider a "dummie", who is not quite a senior (?).
I have never shopped online. The only thing I ever bought on TV was sheets, and they were great. This was on the home shopping network. That's it. *Truth be told, my husband bought the sheets.
No soup for me Howard, I just won't do anything online.
You are correct in saying that everything is cheaper online, but you run the rish of identity fraud, if your computer is compromised.
Lee
You are a computer person by nature and you still don't do things online? How can these two come together? I mean, unless you are using a computer that doesn't have internet connection.
The world is changing, fast, especially in the past 10 years. 10 years ago, internet banking or shopping is rare, few people heard of it, or used it. But time changed, it is very common now. Not to mention many information now are primarily online to save money on printing hard copies.
For ID fraud, it can still happen even when you don't doing things online, like when you throw out your banking statements (unless you shredded them), or important mails are lost, or some companies got info leaked out.
Not to do things online in afraid of ID fraud is like not to ride subway or bus (or to drive) in afraid of traffic accident. It happens from time to time, but the risk is minimum.
KC,
Thanks for responding. Yes, I guess I afraid of my laptop. I am old fashioned. It's like being afraid of stepping out of my home, and getting hit by a bus.
You are right. The world is changing fast, and I am behind the times in the computer world.
I met a person in the bank last week, during the TD mess, and he was so upset about his banking woes.
I know, gliches are rare, and I miss out on many opportunities and cheaper rates, items to buy, etc., but I just can't bring myself to put myself out there. Of course, I have an internet connection, otherwise, I wouldn't be here.
And me a writer? Could you believe it?
Regards,
Lee
Lady, you will need to step out at some point. What's the point of of going to the internet just to read and writing stuffs? Not only you are not taking the chance to save money (like Howard said, online stuffs are cheaper, even after the shipping), you are actually wasting your money paid for the internet also.
Yes, deal with money, like banking or shopping, online makes some people uncomfortable, and it probably takes a while to get used to, but you can do it if you are willing to give it a try.
KC,
I got a phone call from a major department store that my credit card numbers were compromised. This just gives me another excuse not to use the net.
Now I have to wait at least 2 weeks, or more for a new card, with new numbers. The card I had covered 2 major shopping areas that I deal with.
I have to use cash, but maybe that's not such a big deal for the time being.
I just don't like putting my private "stuff" out there to shop or bank.
Yes, I could be missing some good deals, and maybe I will take it under consideration, when I get my new card.
Regards,
Lee
Well, if it makes you any better, I got an AE card also. And like a month a ago I got a statement with a charge on it, the problem is I never used the card at that time. I called AE, the CS presented this problem to me right away, I said the charge is not from me, and they tell me I can forget about this, and give me a new card with new number, no problem.
The point is, yes, using internet to deal with money does carry a risk, but not doing so DOES NOT exempt you from this kind of problem. Like I said, sometime the fault is not on your side, those guys can get the card numbers from hacking the companies' system, or the companies leaked them out somehow by not taking care of the confidential documents properly.
Just like the analogy of being in a vehicle has a risk of traffic accident, but not being in a vehicle does not exempt you from it.
KC,
You can get scammed no matter what you do. You present a good argument for using the net.
I just might shop on E-Bay when I get my credit card back. They have some great deals.
As for my banking, I have a personal relationship with my banks, so I will continue what I am doing.
Thanks for the insight.
Lee
i don't know if i am in the right section but my son is a senior at Grady High school; and plays varsity basketball.The principal is trying to get rid of the basketball team.There are six other seniors on the team that are depending on basketball to get us in college for free.We need help in order for us to save our basketball team.please contact me.
(1347)951-6967 or (1718)237-1546
Thank you
At the bottom of the page there is a place where you can e-mail HELP ME HOWARD.
GOOD LUCK KEENAN!
I agree. Banking or paying bills on line is the most convinient and secure way to take care of your monthly bills. And the beauty of it is that your payment is received much sooner, no snail mail. And let's say your payment is due the next day and you forgot to mail out your payment, you can avoid late fees if you can do it online.
I've been doing it for the past three years and I was leary at first. ButI now recommend it to anyone.
Evelyn