7 Legal Dangers of Social Networking

7 Legal Dangers of Social Networking

Facebook, Twitter, blogs, message boards and other social media websites and apps are great tools to help you connect with friends and family. Businesses and professionals also use social networking to connect with customers and coworkers. Many social media users are unaware that the information they post online and the digital trail they leave behind can be used against them in court. The following information will help you understand the legal risks involved in social networking.

1. Attorney-Client Confidentiality – Attorney-client confidentiality protects all communications between you and your attorney. This means the information you communicate directly to your attorney cannot be used against you in court. A breach of attorney-client privilege can seriously harm your case. Talking about your legal matter online is a serious breach of confidentiality.Do not discuss the details of your case with anyone other than your attorney.
2. Anonymity – Posting comments to online forums, news outlets or blogs can give you the impression of anonymity. There is no anonymity online; everything can be traced back to its source. Before posting anything online consider the very real possibility that it will be traced back to you. 
3. Children – Child predators use social networking sites to find victims. Talk to your children about online safety. In addition, online bullying has grown rapidly in recent years. It is important to talk to children about how to handle being bullied, as well as the importance of reporting and not participating in the bullying of other children. 
4. Family Law – Facebook profiles and Twitter posts are being introduced as evidence more and more frequently in divorce and child custody cases. No matter what your intention when posting something online, consider how it could come back to haunt you. The best advice is to take a break from Facebook or other social media during a divorce or custody dispute.
5. Criminal Law - In addition to divorce court, the digital trail created through social networking is becoming increasingly common in criminal cases. Discussing illegal activity, even in jest, could land you in hot water. 
6. Human Resources – Employers are increasingly turning to social media to learn more about applicants. Applicants should be aware that their profiles and posts could be used for this purpose. Employers must be careful not to unlawfully discriminate based on age, gender, race, religious beliefs or sexual orientation. Employees who disparage their employers or coworkers online could even lose their job.
7. Identity Theft – Thieves and scammers often use social networking sites to gather personal information on victims. You may think it is perfectly harmless to discuss your birthday or post the address of your new home on Facebook or Twitter, but that type of personal information can be used against you. Think carefully about the information you post online.
   
   SOURCE=LEGALSHIELD
   
   Rick Meldahl at www.impactinglifestyles.com
   
   

Take Charge of Your Cell Phone Bill

Take Charge of Your Cell Phone Bill

Shared by me through LegalShield
As mobile phone technology continues to advance, so does the cost of cell phone voice and data service. There are steps you can take to help lower your bill. The following tips will help you analyze your usage and seek out ways to trim costs.

• Understand the full cost of your plan before you sign up or renew. Many consumers, lured by the newest smart phone or tablet, renew or sign contracts without fully understanding the terms and fees. Before committing to a plan, review the full cost and make sure it fits your needs and your budget. It is generally possible to increase service without additional fees, but most plans do not allow you to decrease minutes or services until you reach the renewal period. Have your LegalShield provider law firm review any new contract before you sign.
• Think twice about “free” or “discounted” phones. Carriers use free or discounted devices to make contract plans more appealing. It is often more affordable over time to purchase the phone outright and pay a lower monthly rate. Pre-paid plans generally work this way but major carriers are also beginning to offer pay-as-you-go options.
• Analyze usage to make sure you are not paying for more than you need. Use secure wireless networks when they are available to avoid driving up your data usage. Review your talk minutes and text plan to make sure you are not paying for overages, which may be costly.
• Review your bill each month. Many consumers simply pay their bill without looking at the charges. Overages and billing mistakes can be caught early by taking a few minutes to review your bill before making a payment.
• Watch for hidden costs. When checking your bill keep an eye out for directory assistance calls, charity text messages and other charges you may not be familiar with. These charges, while often small, will add up over time.
• Look out for special discounts. Some cell phone providers offer discounts to individuals who work for certain companies or government agencies. Find out if you are eligible to receive a discount by calling your provider. Also look out for discounts when researching a new plan.
  
  Rick Meldahl at www.webcenterincome.com and
  www.impactinglifestyles.com 

Take Charge of Your Cell Phone Bill

Take Charge of Your Cell Phone Bill

Shared by me through LegalShield
As mobile phone technology continues to advance, so does the cost of cell phone voice and data service. There are steps you can take to help lower your bill. The following tips will help you analyze your usage and seek out ways to trim costs.

• Understand the full cost of your plan before you sign up or renew. Many consumers, lured by the newest smart phone or tablet, renew or sign contracts without fully understanding the terms and fees. Before committing to a plan, review the full cost and make sure it fits your needs and your budget. It is generally possible to increase service without additional fees, but most plans do not allow you to decrease minutes or services until you reach the renewal period. Have your LegalShield provider law firm review any new contract before you sign.
• Think twice about “free” or “discounted” phones. Carriers use free or discounted devices to make contract plans more appealing. It is often more affordable over time to purchase the phone outright and pay a lower monthly rate. Pre-paid plans generally work this way but major carriers are also beginning to offer pay-as-you-go options.
• Analyze usage to make sure you are not paying for more than you need. Use secure wireless networks when they are available to avoid driving up your data usage. Review your talk minutes and text plan to make sure you are not paying for overages, which may be costly.
• Review your bill each month. Many consumers simply pay their bill without looking at the charges. Overages and billing mistakes can be caught early by taking a few minutes to review your bill before making a payment.
• Watch for hidden costs. When checking your bill keep an eye out for directory assistance calls, charity text messages and other charges you may not be familiar with. These charges, while often small, will add up over time.
• Look out for special discounts. Some cell phone providers offer discounts to individuals who work for certain companies or government agencies. Find out if you are eligible to receive a discount by calling your provider. Also look out for discounts when researching a new plan.
  
  This article is very important to all individuals and businesses
  Rick Meldahl at www.webcenterincome.com (The Ultimate Online Digital Solution) 

7 Tips for Managing Your Online Reputation

7 Tips for Managing Your Online Reputation from LegalShield services

My Company specializes in the Ultimate online digital solution for small to midsize businesses. I am sharing the following information with you. I use LegalShield services – they shared the following information which is critical to any business reputation.
 

While online reviews and social media benefit small businesses by enhancing communication with consumers, it is possible for negative online reviews or comments to damage a business’s reputation. It is important to properly manage your business’s online reputation. These tips are designed to help you avoid some common pitfalls and find ways to turn a negative review into a catalyst for improvement.

1.      Monitor your online reputation. You cannot afford to ignore your business’s online reputation. There are online tools such as Google Alerts and Social Mention that allow you to monitor reviews and social media content regarding your business. Reading both positive and negative reviews will help you improve your business and refine your customer service.

2.      Do not ignore constructive criticism. Even if you disagree with a reviewer you cannot dispute that they were left with a bad impression. Look at a negative review as an opportunity to improve your customer service skills and your business. Try and find the root of the problem. Is there anything you could have done differently? Did you promise something you were unable to deliver?

3.      Keep your emotions in check. It can be hard not to take criticisms directed at your business personally. The best way to resolve the situation is to keep calm and remain professional. Avoid criticizing the customer or responding with sarcasm. Turning a negative review into an open argument will only make matters worse. 

4.      Respond and take action to resolve the matter. If possible address the customer to try and resolve their concerns in a reasonable way. It is vital to make an effort to win back the customer. Sometimes offering a discount or a refund on a previous or a future purchase will help. Satisfying an unhappy customer may create a more loyal customer and ultimately generate positive publicity for your company.

5.      Do not respond to harassment, vulgarity or threats. If a reviewer is harassing you and your employees or using inappropriate language you may contact the website administrator and bring the review to their attention. Many sites do not allow inappropriate language, threats or harassment in reviews. 

6.      Do not break the rules. You should never create your own reviews or pay others for positive reviews. Review schemes will only make your problem worse. Many sites penalize companies that utilize review schemes for their business and many potential customers have caught on to the look and feel of fake reviews. The best way to counter negative reviews is to improve customer service.

7.      Call your LegalShield provider law firm. The laws and judicial rulings regarding online speech are currently evolving and vary from state to state. While websites that publish reviews are generally protected, some online reviewers may be liable for making defamatory statements that harm the reputation of an individual, business, or other group. Litigating online defamation cases may be costly and time consuming, but there may be alternatives to court action. Call your LegalShield provider law firm and speak with an attorney about your legal options.