Fraud Prevention Resources

Helpful Links

Where to Report Fraud

Ten Tips for Avoiding Fraud

  1. Know that legitimate companies will never ask for personal details through email or unsolicited phone calls.
  2. Avoid clicking on links you are suspicious of, especially if they have been forwarded to you or sent through email or on social media.
  3. Shred any documents with personal information on them rather than throwing them away.
  4. Carry only the credit/debit cards you need daily.
  5. Monitor your online accounts to check for suspicious activity.
  6. Create not only strong but also unique passwords. It is recommended that you use a mix of upper and lowercase letters, numbers, and special characters.  Avoid using words that can be guessed, like your name or the names of family members.
  7. Use two-factor authentication when possible to give an extra layer of online security in addition to your password.
  8. Make sure you only shop or provide personal information on secure websites. The URL of secure websites begins with https://.  Do not enter personal information or shop on website beginning with just http://.
  9. Do not respond to unsolicited requests. If someone you don’t know asks for personal information including your name, birthday, social security number, address, etc., do not respond.
  10. Lastly, if you are unsure if an email or phone call you have received from an individual you know or company that you do business with, call or email then using contact information you know to be true. If you receive a suspicious email or call from a company, do not call the phone number from the email, left on a voicemail, or provided during a questionable call. Instead, use Google or a phone book to verify that you are not calling a fraudulent number.