It's not always
easy to spot con artists. They invade your home through the
telephone, computer and mail; advertise in well-known newspapers and
magazines; and come through your door. Most people think
they’re too smart to fall for a scam but the opposite is true.
Prevention Tips
Make sure you
understand how an online auction works before you bid on
merchandise.
Investigate the
seller as much as possible. Be wary if the seller has only a post
office box address or an email address.
Bid at auction
houses only if there is insurance to protect the buyer or an escrow
account where your money will be held until you receive your
merchandise.
Always use a
credit card for your auction purchase so that you can dispute the
charge if necessary; never use a wire transfer, money order, or
personal check.
To protect
yourself against exorbitant charges, make sure you know the shipping
and handling charges up front.
To foil identity
thieves, never give out your Social Security number or other
personal information.
Shred all bills,
bank statements and “pre-approved” credit card offers before you put
them in the trash.
Don’t have new
checks mailed to you at home; pick them up at the bank.
When someone asks
you for a contribution to a charity, call the charity and make sure
it is soliciting in your neighborhood.
Make your check
out to the name of the charitable organization, never to the person
who is doing the soliciting, and mail it directly to the charity.
For more
information on frauds and scams visit
http://www.fraud.org/welcome.htm or to schedule a frauds and
scams presentation, please contact Diane Smith at 863.291.5705.
Private citizens donate their
unused cell phones to the Winter Haven Police Department so they can
be in turned given out to senior citizens, victims of family
violence and disabled citizens to have 911 at their fingertips.
