Occasionally, we are all offered something for seemingly nothing – lose 20 pounds in a week, make millions at home in your spare time or repair your credit history quickly and easily. As the old adage goes, if it seems too good to be true, it probably is.
Unfortunately, the popularity of cyberspace has allowed fraudsters to adapt some classic scams for online use (and come up with some new ones, too).
If you are a victim of fraud, federal and state laws can provide some protections. But you are the first and best line of defense against getting swindled. Remember – an informed consumer is a safe consumer.
- Work with companies that you know and trust. If you have any questions, check out unfamiliar companies by calling your state or local consumer protection agency or the Better Business Bureau before you disclose your credit card number or other personal information.
- Report suspicious telemarketing calls to the National Fraud Information Center Hotline (800-976-7060) or to the Federal Trade Commission (877-FTC-HELP/877-382-4357). You can also report suspected fraud to Consumer Sentinel (www.consumer.gov/sentinel), a website run by the Federal Trade Commission that allows consumers to alert law enforcement officials worldwide about Internet and telemarketing fraud.
- Memorize your PIN number (Personal Identification Number) and keep printed copies of the numbers in a confidential place.
- Sign all your payment cards as soon as you get them. This way when salespeople check the signature on the back of your card against the signature on the sales receipt, you will be protecting yourself if your card is lost or stolen.
- Check your cards periodically to make sure none are missing.
- Destroy and dispose of copies of receipts, airline tickets, travel itineraries and anything else that displays your card numbers.
- Learn more about fraud. Check out these Federal Trade Commission publications: Dot Cons: FTC's Top 10 Dot Cons and Telemarketing Fraud: What You Need to Know. They provide important tips on what to watch out for.
- Give your payment card or bank account number to any unknown caller or Internet site.
- Make a purchase from someone who calls you without a reference or won't put the offer in writing. A legitimate operator will not pressure you to make a decision on the spot.
- Let a merchant record your card number on a check, receipt or other document.
- Put your address, phone number or other personally identifiable information on a card receipt.
- Use your Social Security Number or personal identification number (PIN) as a password.
- Let anyone see or hear your card number or PIN.
- Write your PIN on your payment card.
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