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FRAUD PREVENTION
TIPS
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Thieves are clever. They
know how to prey on our fears, our dreams, our desires, our loneliness
and our compassion. They are skilled operators that know how to
sound professional and "polished" and may often appear very
legitimate. They may disguise their criminal activity by
joining professional organizations or churches, participating in
community activities, and forging a false "friendship" with
their victims. Although research suggests young educated adults
and seniors are the two most
targeted groups, and the two groups most likely to fall prey to fraud, anyone is a potential
victim.
It is important for everyone to
remember that perpetrators can appear very professional, friendly, and
knowledgeable. Attempts to
defraud are generally more likely to succeed if the swindler is known to
the victim, the victim is unfamiliar with the scheme, and the victim
makes not effort to investigate before responding to the "opportunity"
provided them by the perpetrator.
More importantly, if an individual
has fallen prey to fraud at least once, that person is at an increased
risk to be victimized again. Education is essential to help make oneself less of a target
for fraud.
Here are
some ideas on how to make yourself a harder target.
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Remove your
name from National Mailing, Marketing, and Phone lists.
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Change
your phone number to an unlisted number and request that
companies with whom you do business not sell it.
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Close accounts
that are no longer used.
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Change
personal security codes. Do not use your social
security number, birth date, or mother's maiden name as verification
codes at your bank or credit card companies. These can too
easily be compromised.
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Restrict
address changes. You can request that credit
reporting agencies and banks make no addresses changes associated
with your credit file. This will prevent thieves from getting
credit cards with your credit sent to their address.
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Routinely
review credit reports.
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Maintain
detailed financial records. Keep all documents
associated with bank and credit card transactions and requests to
secure your information.
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Use
Consumer Protection Agency "Fraud Alerts."
Education is a powerful key in preventing fraud.
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