So you’re looking at your credit card statement and something seems like it doesn’t belong. “What? A charge for 3,500 euros on a scooter in Turkmenistan? But I live in Alabama! And I don’t own a scooter! And they don’t use euros in Turkmenistan!”
Identity theft can happen to anyone, though being an idiot greatly increases your chances of it happening. No, that site doesn’t really have nude pictures of Anna Kournikova. No, that email about your credit rating isn’t real. No, that nice man in Nigeria who wants to make you a business partner if you let him use your bank account is not legitimate.
There are a lot of scams online that prey upon the trusting, ignorant and those who feel that nothing bad can happen to them. Bad things can happen to you; see my in-laws for Exhibit A. There is a way you can protect yourself, though.
With all of the online casinos on the net, it can seem like a daunting task to find a legitimate site with which you can trust your personal information. It’s easier than you might think, though, if you know where to look. First of all, the key to an online casino’s safety is its software.
Most online casinos use licensed software from third-parties rather than creating their own games. Therefore, if the software is legitimate and safe, the casino is as well. The software doesn’t want its name associated with a shady casino. Also, it’s the software that is designed for safety, security and fairness.
So how do you know if the software is safe? Check it see if it is licensed and approved by a recognized regulatory agency. This can be a government agency, but it doesn’t have to be. There are some third-party regulators out there that ensure the safety of casino software. The biggest such regulator is called the eCommerce and Online Gaming Regulation and Assurance, or eCOGRA.
eCOGRA tests casino software to make sure it is safe from hackers, it pays out an accepted percentage of time, the games give everyone the same odds, and more. If they approve a casino, they will also mediate any disputes that arise between a customer and the casino, with the casino bound to their decision. With the encryption used on eCOGRA-approved software, your financial information is as safe at those online casinos as when online banking. That means it’s not 100% hacker-proof, but it’s pretty close.
Aside from looking for licensing and approval, it’s a good idea to simply check out the company’s reputation. Simple searches online will yield many message boards, casino-rating websites, consumer reports sites and more.
If you find an online casino that has approved software and has a good rating by consumers, it should be safe to use. To be on the safe side, you should never use a debit card. Instead, use a credit card or a payment processor like eWallet. That way, you have the ability to dispute charges. It’s better to be safe than to pay for a scooter in Turkmenistan.
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