United Bank & Trust Blog

According to the National Retail Federation, 50.8% of shoppers will make at least one online purchase this holiday season. Unfortunately, as more consumers turn to the Internet for their shopping needs, so do the fraudsters with their scams. Here are some simple and important steps online shoppers should follow to protect themselves when making internet purchases this holiday season:

1. Don’t share, if you’re not sure. It is easy to set up a website, so be sure you’re familiar with the retailer before giving them any personal financial information. The Better Business Bureau has a list of about 70,000 safe websites. Be sure to check out the list before you shop online.
2. Is the site secure? Look for the ‘s’ in https:// and the small padlock symbol or icon at the bottom of the screen before entering any personal financial information.
3. Know the terms of your purchase. Are you able to return the purchased item? If yes, who pays the shipping fees? How long will it take to ship the product? What does shipping cost? Be sure to read the fine print. If it’s unclear or you don’t agree, purchase the product elsewhere.
4. Print & Save. Be sure to print and save the transaction receipt, the order number, a customer service phone number, and any other pertinent information in the event there’s a problem with your order.
5. Check the privacy policy. Find out what they’re doing with your information by reading the privacy policy. If it’s too complicated to read or they don’t have one, choose to do business with a more consumer friendly website.
6. Too Much Information. Don’t divulge too much information to anyone on the Internet. If a website is asking for your bank account number, social security number or driver’s license number, don’t share it.

Know your rights. If you suspect you are a victim of fraud, contact the Federal Trade Commission at: www.ftc.gov/complaint. You can also contact the Attorney General for the state in which you live. And, be sure to report it to the Better Business Bureau.

At our latest Health Care Summit, we heard from our resident experts that one of the key ingredients in the success of health care reform is the engagement of the patient (us!). We must all take an active role in our physical well-being. In fact, some insurance companies will “reward” consumers who live a healthy lifestyle with lower out-of-pocket costs for co-pays, deductibles, etc.

Companies are following suit and are adopting wellness programs for their employees, realizing a healthier workforce is a more productive workforce.

Statistically speaking, the average person will catch 2 – 4 colds this season. This season starve a cold and stay well and out of the doctors’ offices!

Here are some tips from RealSimple.com to help:

1. Get enough sleep! Sleep helps with the release of cortisol, which stimulates cells that boost the immune system to defend the body against the cold virus.
2. Get off that couch! Exercise increases the immune function, too, to reduce the chance of catching a cold, and may even help you recover more quickly.
3. Shower using hot AND cold water. Temperature fluctuations can boost your immune system. While steam can help clear nasal passages, turning the temperature to hot then cold before you jump out is believed to help give a kick to your immune system.
4. Enjoy some oysters. Zinc is most prevalent in these mollusks and has been proven to enhance the immune system when taken at the first signs, and can help decrease the duration, of a cold.
5. Drink your milk! Vitamin D is another known tool in regulating the body’s immune system and, you got it, will help starve that cold.
6. Try a neti pot! A saltwater nasal irrigator helps rinse away the bugs in your respiratory tract – but be sure to clean it after every use to avoid sharing your germs

Taking ownership of your health pays off big dividends in the end for us as individuals and the health care industry as whole.

What tips can you share on maintaining a healthy lifestyle?