Protect Yourself from Fraud

There are many ways a thief will attempt to steal your identity or at the very least to get you to buy something and never deliver.  

If you really want to protect yourself from identity theft and fraud, you need to start by getting smart. Internet fraud is rampant, as is credit card fraud and other forms of fraud.  

In order to perpetrate fraud, a thief must get your cooperation. These thieves often prey on elderly people or people who might be more trusting or lack the current knowledge to know what to look for and how to insure themselves against credit card fraud or other fraud.  

If you do not want to be a victim of consumer fraud, you should follow several simple rules. First, never give anyone your personal information on the phone or by email or even if they show up at your door. A bank, email service provider, insurance agent or prospective employer will never ask for your social security number, your ATM PIN or other password or personal information that will give them access to your account. If you apply for a job, you will not be asked to provide your social security number until you are already in the second and third phase of interview and hiring.

The second way you can protect yourself from fraud is to take only what you need when you go to the store or out in public. Unless you need it, don’t take your social security card and/or all of your credit cards. If you are robbed you do not want to lose critical personal documents that will leave you exposed to fraud. Fraud protection should be extended to your email as well. Never respond to email or click on a link in an email message if you don’t know the person sending you the message. If the message is forwarded by someone you know, don’t assume the message is safe. You and your friend could be at risk if you use the information and if you forward the email to others, you could be putting them at risk as well.  Usually these messages offer incredible deals, warn of viruses or offer links to information you might want. If you really need information on the internet, seek out the web site and information on your own instead of using the links provided in email. If an email claims to be from your bank or a vendor with whom you do business, and you feel you need to respond, do not use the link in the email. Go to the web site or pick up the phone and call the vendor. Get a representative on the phone and go from there. With some simple techniques, and a healthy skepticism, you can protect yourself from consumer fraud. Fraud protection starts with you!