The following list will serve to protect you and your loved ones from a variety of scams.
1. Phone & Communication Safety
Don’t trust caller ID: Scammers spoof numbers to look local or official. If in doubt, hang up and call the organization back at its published number.
Block unknown callers and texts: Enable “silence unknown callers” on smartphones and never click links in unsolicited texts.
Use call screening apps: Many carriers offer free spam protection tools.
2. Banking & Payment Protection
Use credit instead of debit: Credit cards offer stronger fraud protection and don’t pull money directly from your bank account.
Lock your credit and debit cards when not in use: Banks offer simple switches to lock your cards when not in use and easily unlock them when needed. Contact your financial institution for instructions.
Set up account alerts: Enable text/email alerts for any transactions over a small amount, or for logins from new devices.
Avoid gift card payments: No legitimate business or government agency demands payment by gift card.
3. Credit & Identity Monitoring
Lock or freeze your credit with all three bureaus (Equifax, Experian, TransUnion). This prevents new accounts from being opened in your name.
Shred sensitive papers: Old bills, checks, or statements should be shredded, not tossed in the trash.
Use strong, unique passwords: Never reuse the same password—consider a password manager.
Enable two-factor authentication (2FA) on email, banking, and shopping accounts.
Check your credit reports at least annually: By keeping informed of activity on your credit reports you can quickly address any false information.
4. Property & Legal Protections
Sign up for county deed alerts to get notified of any property title changes. Visit your county Clerk and Recorder's office online to sign up for this free service.
Review annual tax statements: Unexpected changes in assessed value can signal title fraud.
Check your Social Security earnings statement annually to confirm no fraudulent work history has been added.
5. Online & Tech Safety
Keep devices updated: Install updates on phones, tablets, and computers, they often include security patches.
Be cautious with public Wi-Fi: Use your cell data or a VPN when possible for sensitive tasks.
Don’t overshare online: Scammers piece together personal info from social media to make scams sound believable.
6. Everyday Awareness
Pause before you pay: Urgency (“act now or else”) is a scam red flag.
Verify requests directly: If you get an email, text, or call from someone claiming to be your pastor, grandchild, or a government agency, verify through another channel before sending money or personal info.
Educate & check in on loved ones: Seniors and isolated individuals are often targeted. Talking openly about scams reduces shame and keeps people alert.
These are very simple actions we can take to be a bit safer in our environment.
Image used is from Freepik.com