Fraud Prevention Tips

Whether you’re going on vacation, shopping at your favorite store, or just enjoying an evening out, taking a few extra steps to protect yourself and your identity isn’t only smart, it’s easy.

Criminals love distracting environments – large sales at the mall, tourist areas, even your favorite restaurant. While you’re out having fun, identity theft probably doesn’t cross your mind. But a distracted shopper is an easy target for pick-pocketing, theft, or other types of crime, and you can bet thieves are always on the lookout. You can protect yourself by taking a few simple precautions.

When Out & About:

• Limit Exposure Avoid attracting attention to yourself by not carrying around large amounts of cash. If someone notices you handling a wad of cash, that identifies you as an easy target for theft. If you do not have access to a credit or debit card, consider purchasing a pre-paid debit card. You have the ability to register these cards and cancel them instantly in case they are lost or stolen.
• Save Receipts People won’t typically expect a store employee of criminal activity. However, it is not unheard of. While incredibly unethical, it is fairly easy for fraud to occur when you give others your debit or credit card, such as at restaurants. Be sure to save and carefully review your receipts against your account statements to be sure than nothing is out of the ordinary.
• Keep Your Card In Sight Make sure you keep your eyes on your card throughout your entire transaction. Don’t leave it on the counter or table next to you for any length of time, as that provides a perfect opportunity for someone to memorize or snap a picture of your card number. It’s also wise to shield your PIN number with your hand when entering it into a keypad, so no one else can see it.
• Be on Guard Have your keys in hand when leaving a store as you return to your car. Take a second to look around your car for anything suspicious before you get in, then immediately lock your doors once inside. If you are shopping in the evening, try to park in a well-lit area.

When Online:

• Know Who You Are Dealing With Never make purchases over the phone or through a website that you are unfamiliar with and don’t trust. Always check for the “lock” icon on the address bar when making purchases online. The web address should also begin with “https” instead of “http” to indicate that the website is secure.
• Avoid Public Wi-Fi If you make purchases while using an unsecured public network, lurking hackers could see your activity and gain access to your information. You should only use trusted Wi-Fi networks and devices to make purchases or enter your personal information online.
• Use Anti-Virus Software Before purchasing anything online or disclosing personal information, ensure that your firewall is turned on and that your virus protection software is up to date. Most virus software will alert you if you are trying to visit a known malicious website.
• Use Strong Passwords Avoid using any passwords that can be guessed easily, such as the commonly used “password” or “1234.” You also want to avoid using any easily identifiable personal information, such as any part of your name, your birthday, or a pet’s or a loved one’s name. Use a combination of lowercase and uppercase letters, numbers, and symbols or special characters. Your passwords should be changed regularly, and you shouldn’t use the same passwords for multiple accounts.

Whether you’re out shopping in stores or shopping online from the comfort of your home, it’s important to keep your guard up at all times. By protecting yourself and your personal information, you can prevent a fraudsters from spoiling your fun (and your finances). At Robins Financial, we are committed to protecting the safety and security of our members. If you have reason to suspect you have been a victim of fraud, please let us know immediately and we’ll be happy to assist you. To find out more about how we protect our members every day, feel free to give us a call or stop by any of our branch locations.