Small safeguards can save you consumer fraud giant headaches. Many safeguards are common sense, but in today’s information age, sometimes the sence isn’t so common.
Do not readily give out personal information. For example, some restaurants request a credit card number over the phone when making reservations. Do not give it, and go to another restaurant. Your protection is only as good as their security. Even if the restaurant’s employees are trustworthy, credit card information could be left unattended for the others to view.
Be careful of copied documents or identifications. Years ago, I was asked to prove my residence in a city three different ways for my son’s baseball all-star qualification. One identification they were requesting was a copy of a driver’s license. Parents were unaware that a driver’s license number and birthdate are invaluable data for bank accounts and other privacy circumstances. If you must provide a copy of such, black out the sensitive information. The document you may be handing over may pass through many hands.
Restrict access to your personal information. Passwords on computers are essential. Access to your computer can provide information to undesirable eyes
Do not let anyone cash your checks without a phone call from the bank. Visit your bank and arrange to block the cashing of all checks unless they phone your cell phone. This procedure has prevented the fraudulent check cashing four times in five years for me. The last time, a bank called me for check cashing by a client who did not write the check. Individuals produce fraudulent checks and cash them at your bank.
Do not return calls to suspicious area codes. Scammers text messages, or leave phone messages with some urgent message. They entice you to call a number that is to the Caribbean (e.g., “809” area code) and keep you on the line as long as possible. That can bring charges up to $25 per minute. I have also heard of some scams that transfer your call around the world amounting to hundreds of dollars on your bill. Be careful. Here are some other area codes.
Country Code
Bahamas 242
Barbados 246
Antigua 268
Cayman Islands 345
Monsterrat 664
St. Lucia 758
Puerto Rico 787
St. Kitts/Nevis 869
Jamaica 876
Bermuda 441
N. Commonwealth 670
Trinidad &Dominica 767
Tobago 868
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