Internet Banking: Using Quicken and the Consumer Rights
Quicken is a software program for managing money. Other examples of such programs are Microsoft Money and Quick Books. Quicken and these other programs make your record-keeping more detailed and accurate. They can also be used in conjunction with internet banking.
For example, transfer of funds from one account to another through internet banking would be in a different category than other deposits in most cases. You can also get creative with your categories. If you are a musician, you might have a category for guitar equipment, for example.
You go to the internet banking website and view your statement online. The internet banking set-up will give you the option of downloading transaction data to your computer. Use the drop down menu to select the program to put it in, such as Quicken.
Once your internet banking transactions are successfully loaded into Quicken, you can reconcile your account. Quicken will check your electronic register against the information from your internet banking account. If they do not match, you will be alerted. You will then be given the option to correct individual transactions or to correct all discrepancies.
Your consumer rights in internet banking
Internet banking companies are quick to point out that it is your responsibility to keep your username and password secure. It must be un-guessable in the first place. You must never write it down. You must tell no one. It is your consumer right to keep this information to yourself and not divulge your password to a bank employee.
If you fall in scam there is the Federal Reserve Board’s Regulation E. It covers all kinds of situations revolving around transfers made electronically. The most important thing to remember about Reg-E is that you will recover your internet banking losses according to how soon you discover them.
Most internet banking companies are on the level. They are trying to establish a name for themselves through tight security. Barring that, they seek to remedy the situation with great customer service. Find a bank like this and you will have no problem getting them to respect your consumer rights.
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