Financial fraud can be difficult to recognize. It can include identity theft, fake check and wire transfer scams, investment and credit card fraud, and bogus online charitable solicitations. Unfortunately only 1 in 5 of these crimes is reported.
The National Crime Prevention Council offers the following tips to help avoid these crimes in the first place.
- It’s shrewd, not rude to hang up on a suspicious telemarketer
- Don’t give personal information to people you don’t know unless you initiated the contact
- Don’t let yourself get pressured into a verbal agreement or signing a contract
- Be skeptical of online charitable solicitations and other online offers. If interested, ask to receive the information in the mail and check to be sure the company is legitimate
- Never agree to pay for products or services in advance
- Get estimates and ask for references on home repair offers and other products or services
- If you suspect fraud, contact your local law enforcement agency immediately
To learn more about protecting yourself from financial fraud, visit the National Crime Prevention Council’s website.
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