The basics for safeguarding against scams and ID theft
FTC and BBB offer tips during National Consumer Week
Sunday kicks off National Consumer Protection Week, a time to help people understand their consumer rights and avoid frauds and scams.
Whether it’s a worry about staying on top of the latest scams, being concerned about the possibility of your ID being stolen, or suddenly finding yourself saddled with surprise bills, the tips being offered during this coming week could bring you some peace of mind.
The Better Business Bureau will be partnering with the Federal Trade
Commission and other organizations and agencies to promote the event. The week of March 5-11 has been devoted to informing consumers of their rights and educating the public about scam and ID theft prevention. You may have rights as a consumer that you did not realize you had — rights that could make all the difference in today’s rough-and-tumble, internet-based financial landscape.
At the very least, guard yourself with these fundamental consumer protection tips:
› When someone you have not met asks you to send them money, especially by wire transfer, prepaid debit card or gift card, don’t do it.
› Never click on links or attachments in unsolicited emails or texts. That’s how crooks put malware on your devices.
› Don’t trust the legitimacy of something by its looks. Emails and websites are easy to fake with copied logos and graphics.
› Don’t trust your caller ID. It can be faked to read any way a crook wants it to read.
› Buy online only from legitimate sources with a website address that has the “s” in “https.” Look for the lock icon in the address bar as well.
› Look up any company you’re unfamiliar with at BBB.org.
› Treat your personal identification information like gold. Don’t give it away to anyone who contacts you out of the blue. Your banking, Social Security and insurance numbers should be closely guarded.
› Anyone pressuring you to act quickly could be a scammer who doesn’t want you to have time to seriously consider the “offer.”
› Get details in writing and read them thoroughly.
› Don’t overshare on social media. Con artists can collect your information from such sources and use it to make you think they know you.
› Keep your travel plans to yourself and only share them after the fact.
› Shred junk mail, old documents, bills and medical paperwork.
› Monitor your accounts and check out any unknown transaction, even for tiny amounts (crooks start with small amounts to see if you pay attention).
› Use strong passwords and keep software and virus protections updated constantly.
Be sure to check the Trade Commission website for National Consumer Protection Week events, and check out BBB’s articles on phishing scams, tech support scams and social security scams. Scammers never quit, but they can be thwarted by staying on top of the latest tips and news from organizations that monitor them.
Go to BBB.org to look up online marketplace business profiles, file a complaint or write a customer review. Visit the BBB Scam Tracker to research and report scams. Contact your BBB at 423-266-6144 or by email at tngabbb@chattanooga. bbb.org with any questions you may have.
BBB’S NEXT SHRED DAY IS APRIL 15
A great, proactive approach to securing your identity is to safely destroy and dispose of unneeded documents and hard drives that contain your personally identifiable information. BBB is here to help with our spring “Shred
Day.” BBB will hold this free, bi-annual event in partnership with the Chattanooga Times Free Press, River City Shredding, Resource 1 Tier 3 Data Security and the Hamilton County Coalition on Saturday, April 15 from 9 a.m. to noon. (Shredding will end earlier if trucks fill up).
The event will be in the Coca-Cola Bottling Co.’s parking lot at 2111 W. Shepherd Road in Chattanooga, which is located just off Exit 1A (Airport exit) from Highway 153.
This is also a wonderful opportunity for residents to have electronics recycled and outdated or unneeded prescription drugs dropped off for safe disposal.
Please limit documents to three large trash bags of documents per person. For more information, please visit bbb. org/Chattanooga or call the BBB at 423-266-6144.