Readers of Frugal Finance, I’d like to let you all know about a brand new initiative started by banking giant Capital One. Capital One has launched their Credit Made Clearer project which is designed to educate the general public of the UK on different aspects of personal finance.

As a result of the current economic climate Capital One have decided it’s time to do their bit for the general public, so they are trying to help dispel the myths, clear up the jargon and help you make the most of your credit card.

Since starting this project they have worked with local schools and communities in a financial education drive, and as part of this they have launched with a series of animated online videos. The purpose of the videos is to help everyone understand various important aspects of their finances.

There are 15 videos total that can be seen on their YouTube channel, and they deliver complex information in a humorous, light-hearted and bite-sized way that they’re accessible by everyone.

The video that caught our eye at FrugalFinance was the Shopping Safely Online video which can be seen here. We all know that shopping online has its dangers but Capital One outlined various top tips really well and here they are:

Keep your computer protected at all times

Make sure that your computer has a firewall enabled and that your anti-virus software is always up to date. You should always ensure that your wireless password is complicated and cannot be guessed by anyone. Also, never open e-mails or attachments from people who you don’t know or trust – you may be opening a virus!

Buy from trusted sources

When buying from an online retailer always make sure that the padlock symbol is active in your internet browser address bar; this lets you know that you’re operating in a secure session and any data you input into the site will be encrypted.

If you’re buying from an individual ensure that they have decent feedback and make sure you have evidence of a physical address and a landline telephone number before you carry out any transaction. Give the number a call too to ensure its not random number from a phonebook!

Register your credit cards with MasterCard SecureCode or Verified by Visa

By doing this you add an extra layer of protection when buying online as the website will ask you for a personal password whenever you try to use your card. Make sure this password is not simple and always keep it a secret!