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SECURITY

MBO Services allows you to pay for purchases online by using your MasterCard, Visa and American Express credit cards. Because some customers have concerns about providing their credit card numbers over the Internet, we have provided some answers to common questions. (Of course, you may also pay by check.)

Is it safe to provide my credit card account numbers over the Internet?

We believe that it is safe to provide your credit card account number over the Internet. If we didn't we wouldn't offer this payment option. All transfer of your payment information including credit card handling is done through a secure server using the Secure Sockets Layer (SSL) protocol. This allows your Web browser to encode any data it sends to our server so that even if someone intercepted your information as it traveled acro9ss the Internet they wouldn't be able to read it. For more technical information on why SSL is a safe way to send sensitive information please read Netscape's How SSL Works.

In the unlikely event that unauthorized use of your credit card occurs follow the reporting procedures that your credit card provider has set up and contact us immediately by phone, 781-837-0424, by fax 781-837- 1453, or by email. Federal law limits your responsibility for unauthorized charges to $50.00 US (the maximum liabliity allowed under the Fair Credit Billing Act. Formore information on the Fair Credit Bill Act visit the Federal Trade Commission Web site.

How do I know if a Web site is secure?

When you buy something on the Internet look for three things:

  1. All data you transmit is strongly encrypted.
  2. The site you are doing business with is the site you think it is.
  3. The site you are doing business with processes your credit card information in a safe and responsible manner.

SSL (Secure Sockets Layer) the industry standard security protocol for secure browsers such as Netscape and Internet Explorer takes care of the first two items. When communicating with a secure server these browsers encrypt the information you send in a way that is extremely difficult for anyone else to dfecode. If you are not sure whether your browser supports secure transactions don't worry. If it does not you won't be able to complete the transaction. You should also look for a visual image that indicates a secure site, see below.

Once your order is received we take care to keep your information confidential in the same ways that we as consumers want our information secured.

How do I know I am in a secure area of the Web site?

There are several ways to confirm that you are in a secure area. All SSL capable browsers have a symbol to indicate the secure mode, see below. Most browsers use a closed lock symbol in either the address bar and or the status bar.

You can also tell when you are in a secure area because the URL to the left of the colon changes from “http” to “https” to signify that a SSL protocol is being used to communicate with the server. HTTP means Hyper Text Transport Protocol and HTTPS means HTTP with SSL. In most browsers you will also see a solid blue line in the upper portion of the browser's window. This additional visual cue tells you that you are browsing a secure area.

One additional comment, some browsers give you a warning when you go from a secure area to a regular area. The aim is worthy enough -- to ensure that people know when they have left a secure server, but in practice the message is often a bit startling and makes it look like you have done something wrong even though you haven't.

Why are some areas secure and others are not?

Most of the activity on our site involves the viewing of materials we have prepared and make accessible to everyone so there is no need for these pages to be “secure”. With a product page or a help page for example there is no security risk because no confidential information is being exchanges. Anyone can access the same pages by pointing their browser at our web site.

The part of our Web site hat has extra security is the payment area. This is where you actually purchase services from our site. The entire check out process takes place in a secure environment.

Are there alternatives to online transactions?

Yes there are. You may contact us by phone, fax or email but please do not include your credit card number in the message. We will contact you to complete the transaction. Remember that you play an important part in security as well. After you are finished using our site you should log off and exit your browser so no unauthorized person can use the site with your name and account information. Furthermore if you provide any information to parties who operate Web sites that are linked to or from our site different rules may apply to their collection, use, or disclosure of your personal information. We encourage you to review these sites' policies before revealing any sensitive or personal information.

If you have any additional questions don't hesitate to contact us by phone - 781-837-0424, fax – 781-837- 1453, or email (please use the "Contact MBO Services" button at the top of this page).

  • MBO Services
  • P.O. Box 1150
  • Marshfield MA 02050
  • 781-837-0424