Fraud is a general term for any deliberate deception that’s used for personal or financial gain, and scams are a type of fraud that uses schemes to trick people out of money. Here are some tips to help you avoid scams and fraud:
- Be wary of personal information requests
- Don’t give out personal information like your bank account or social security number to people you don’t know, especially if they’re asking for it over the phone. This includes people who claim to be government employees, or who ask for your information when you didn’t start the call.
- Be skeptical of offers
- If someone offers you a prize, debt relief, or employment in exchange for an upfront fee, it’s likely a scam. You should also be wary of scam websites that claim to help you renew or get a passport, as some of these sites are run by private companies that charge for services that are free from the government.
- Keep your software up to date
- Install software that offers antivirus, firewall, and email filter services, and update your operating systems regularly. Older versions of software and operating systems are often targeted by hackers.
- Report scams
- If you’re the victim of a scam, you can file a report with the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) using ReportFraud.ftc.gov or by calling (877) 382-4357. You can also report blackmail to the FBI by calling (800) CALL-FBI or online at tips.fbi.gov
The Huntingdon Borough Police Department is here to help you!
Some tips:
- Request a free annual credit report Annual Credit Report.com
- Review all accounts in credit report
- Report any unauthorized activity
- Utilize a consumer credit monitoring program for real time alerts
- Alert all financial institutions of any suspected fraud/identity theft
- Alert all Social Security Administration of any suspected fraud/identity theft
Never provide any identifying or personal information to an unverified source. That information includes date of birth, social security number, bank account information, account passwords/PINS, etc.
It is ok to NOT respond to any requests for information.
It is ok to call a local representative or verified source to ask questions concerning information being requested.
Federal
- Fraud Resources | OCC
- Common Frauds and Scams — FBI
- Office for Victims of Crime
- Report Fraud – Criminal Division
- Report Fraud | Office of the Inspector General
State
- Scams | Department of Human Services | Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
- Scams Complaint – PA Office of Attorney General
If you have any suggestions for improving police communications, please email or call to let us know how we can help.