Free ways to protect your cash!

Tired of scammers trying to steal your hard-earned money everywhere you turn? New free tools make avoiding these fraudsters much easier! ●1 Get a sneak peek of mail headed your way!

Thanks to the new free Informed Delivery service offered by the U.S. Postal Service, you can get notifications via e-mail or viewable online that let you know what mail is arriving at your home and when, helping you keep tabs on checks, credit cards and other important mail. This way, if you don’t find it in your mailbox, you can take steps to protect yourself! Sign up at Informeddelivery.usps.com.

●2 Keep computer files safe!

Read about people’s computer files being held for ransom by thieves who have installed “ransomware”? You can protect yourself with a simple no-cost security measure! The key? Configure your computer to automatically install the latest safety patches. These are free security updates that block the latest threats from cybercriminals. You can find setting instructions for Windows at Microsoft. com/en-us/security/ portal/mmpc/default. aspx and Apple at Support.apple.com/ en-gb/ht201222.

●3 Protect debit and credit cards by tapping!

Scammers’ latest trick is called “shimming”— that’s when thieves steal data from your credit card using devices hidden in the slot where you put your card’s chip! To keep your card safe, use the new “tap to pay” option! It lets you use any contactless-enabled debit or credit card for purchases up to $25 at participating businesses. Just tap your card against the payment terminal, and your transaction is completed in seconds. You can also tap a “mobile wallet” app on your smartphone (such as Apple Pay) that contains your card info. Because the card never goes inside the terminal, your info stays secure! To see if your card has a tap-to-pay option, contact your issuer.

●4 Put a stop to robocalls!

There’s been a big uptick in robocalls from scammers impersonating IRS agents, debt collectors and others. Luckily, there are easy ways to thwart them: First, contact your phone service provider since some offer a free robocall call-blocking feature. If yours doesn’t or you want more protection, download a free spam call-blocking app, such as Block Calls & Caller ID.