Protecting Yourself from Telephone and Internet Scams

As a general rule, never provide personal data, such as account numbers or your Social Security number to someone you do not know – especially on the phone or on an internet site. Scams come in all shapes and sizes, and some of them look very legitimate.

There are many telephone scams out there – sweepstakes claims, travel scams, business opportunities, illegal charitable solicitations, work-at-home schemes, supposed calls from your bank and credit repair plans. Say "No!" Their goal is to get your money.

To protect yourself against telephone solicitation scams, get on the national Do Not Call list, keep records, create a paper trail, and take action by exercising your legal rights if and when you've been harmed.

You'll also find many internet scams if you surf on the Web. Always use caution with personal data or credit card information on the internet and in e-mail requests. Current scam artists send e-mails that look like they came from your bank asking for your information. Your bank will never send this type of e-mail. Invest in internet security software that can easily tell you if a site is secure or if it has any identity threats.