After the last few weeks you may want to avoid some of these scams and know who to turn to if you think there is a problem.
One is if you have a bank account that you do not use or an unused credit card, cut it up, throw it away and let the bank that has the accounts know that you want the account closed.
Next, never, ever give out personal information via the Internet, email, regular mail or phone unless you contact the company first and they need it for some reason. Never give anyone your site password, since no one will ever need that. If you forget a password for anything the company where you forgot it can reset it for you. However, they will never ask you for it.
If you are made an offer that you do not quite understand, DO NOT do it. Even if you must or you will "lose out on this fantastic offer." Find a friend relative, business associate or someone that does understand it. Then, get them to walk you through it so you do understand. Always talk over money investments with a reliable friend, family member, or financial advisor. Do not guess with your money and find out later you have lost it all.
I hate to say it, as we too have a shredder running over with white strips. But shred all credit and debit card receipts and all old bank statements. You do not need to keep them other than possibly for business or taxes. Shred all those great bank offers you get, too instead of tossing them in the trash for someone else to get in your name.
Here is a list of a few people you may want to contact if falling for a scam be it online or off. The bank that may have the account that was affected. The local police. The company that was affected by this issue. Many times, you will find the companies, and banks especially, more than ready to help you with plans all ready to go to help their customers if taken advantage of…use them.
There are several websites where you may find help, first the FBI at www.ic3.gov and the US government Online Safety site at usa.gov/online-safety. If you want to keep up with the latest scams check another FBI site for current schemes: fbi.gov/scams-and-safety/common-fraud-schemes. And one phone number for you at the Federal Trade Commission: 877-438-4338.
Last, report any damaging information to the three major credit reporting bureaus, Equifax, 800-685-1111. Experian at 888-397-3742 and TransUnion at 800-916-8800.
You may want to talk to those last three even if you have not been swindled yet.
They can lock or freeze your credit so that new credit accounts cannot be obtained and balance limits cannot be increased unless you provide a specific code. You may be required to talk to them directly. That way your credit report could not even be pulled by a reputable credit company without you first communicating with the credit bureaus first. They cannot approve your credit for any amount until you say, "OK." You should be pretty safe on that one. Note that there are most likely charges for that but small compared to what you could lose.
