Financial Safety

Conducting any financial transaction, whether it is in person, over the phone, by mail, or on the internet, should be done in a safe and secure manner.

Here are some tips Be wary of any unsolicited request for personal information no matter how trivial. Does the call want just the last 4 digits of your social security number? Don't do it. The next caller may just want the first 3 and so on. Don't use shared computers to conduct financial business. This includes just checking up on your account. Perhaps the son or daughter of your friend installed software unknown to the parents. When using your own personal computer, keep it up to date. Installing security patches ought to be done daily. Are you running virus protection software? Suppose you receive mail from your banking institution saying there has been suspicious activity and they need you to log in and confirm your zip code.. They give you a web address and it looks legitimate. Don't. If there is a phone number attached, give them a call or better yet, call the customer support number on your recent bill.

Even if you follow the most aggressive security recommendations, you may still become the the unfortunate victim of fraud, identity theft, or scam. It is important to promptly report the suspicious or fraudulent activity immediately to the relevant authorities. If you are unsure, contact your local police department or Consumer Protection Agency. And please keep a record of all your correspondence, it may be needed later.