Protecting yourself from scams, identity theft in the new year
Every year, some of us make New Year’s resolutions that are broken before we’ve gotten used to writing the new dates on our checks or other documents. BBB has some resolutions for 2015 that may be formidable, but they can help anyone become a savvy consumer in the New Year.
Always check a business out before you buy. Recommendations from family and friends is fine, but visit the BBB website for business reviews for companies in Mid-Missouri. Look to see if there have been any complaints and if the company has made a good faith effort to resolve those. People want to patronize businesses that are honest and fair.
Be skeptical of “job offers” that promise easy money. Beware of any job offer, work-at-home scheme or business opportunity that promises big money for little work and no experience. If it sounds too good to be true, it usually is.
Keep your computer safe. Install anti-virus software on your computer and check regularly for software and operation system updates. Don’t open attachments or click on links in emails unless you can confirm the email came from someone you trust. Make sure you are using a secure website if making any purchases online and look for a privacy policy to see what information is being collected and how it will be used.
Never wire money to someone you don’t know. Many scams require that the victim wire money back to the scammers. Scammers know that tracking money sent via MoneyGram, Western Union or Green Dot MoneyPak is extremely difficult. Once you’ve wired the money, it’s nearly impossible to get it back.
Fight identity theft. Shred paper documents that include sensitive financial data and dispose of computers, cell phones and digital data safely. Regularly check bank and credit card statements for any unusual or suspicious activity.
Get everything in writing. Don’t just take a company’s word for it. Get every verbal agreement in writing to limit miscommunication and misunderstandings between what you expect and what the business delivers.
Please contact the Mid Missouri BBB at manager@midmobbb.org or 573-886-8965 with any questions or for additional information.
