Fraud Tip of the Day - January 1

Make a New Year's resolution to fight fraud

It's a new year and there's no time like the present to think about what you can do to protect yourself from fraud. Here are some simple pieces of advice that can help reduce your chances of falling victim to a scam. Follow these simple rules all year long and have a happy, safe new year!

I will make sure my computer is secure by:

Making sure my anti-virus software is up-to-date
Scanning my computer for spyware on a regular basis
Using a firewall

Before authorizing car or home repairs, ask for a written estimate

I will think twice before acting when:

I get an email telling me that I won a contest I never entered
Someone asks me to invest in a risk free business opportunity
I'm asked to pay an advance fee to collect a loan

I will do my due diligence by doing research before making major purchases or investing money.

I will protect my personal information by:

Not giving it to strangers over the phone
Entering it into unsecured websites (no encryption)

I will request a free credit report from www.AnnualCreditReport.com