Safer Charleston, West Virginia Identity Theft & Fraud Protection

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Identity Theft / Fraud Prevention

AT YOUR DOOR, AT THE STORE, OR ON THE PHONE, protect yourself against these common types of consumer crimes:

1. FRAUD
• Medical fraud- Ask your health-care provider for advice before buying into “miracle cures” or special deals.
• Sweepstake scams-Don’t pay anything or give your credit card number in order to claim a “free prize”.
• Land-in-the-sun deals- Never buy sight unseen. Check out the property and seller.
• Insurance fraud- carefully read offers that claim large benefits at low rates. They may be exaggerated.
• Business schemes- Beware of work-at-home job offers with “registration” fees.
• Home repairs- Avoid “free inspections”. Deal only with firms you trust to avoid unnecessary repairs. Ask to see licenses.

BUYERS BEWARE. Before you agree to anything:
• Check out offers with the Better Business Bureau
• Get advice from people you trust.

2. SALES GIMMICKS
• The “ bait and switch”- Stores lure you in for a “bargain,” then try to sell you a more expensive model.
• Fear-sell tactics- Beware of sales claims that play on your fears of misfortune.
• “ Harmless” contacts- Fine-print clauses can cost you plenty! Read contracts carefully and ignore verbal promises.
• Referral selling- You may get the “ discount” only if you get friends to buy, too.
• Pressure tactics- Beware of salespeople who rush your decision.
• Debt consolidation- Watch our for sky-high interest rates in these plans.

STOP CROOKED SALESPEOPLE
• Don’t sign anything you don’t understand. See a lawyer, if needed.
• If you aren’t getting straight answers, end the conversation.

3. “CON GAMES”
• Bank scams- A person claiming to be a “bank official” or “ detective” asks you to help “ catch a crooked teller.” You withdraw your savings, and then the “ bank examiner” takes it to be “counted.”
• Phony bills- A surviving spouse is sent bills for phony debt purchases. Check our unfamiliar bills before you pay them.
• Found money- A stranger strikes up a conversation and is joined by a friend who has just “ found” an envelope full of money. They offer you a share if you put up “ good faith” money. Then, they agree to let you hold the envelope. But they switch envelopes and take off with your money.

HOW TO FOIL CON ARTISTS:
• Ask to see proper identification- get their names.
• Always check out “officials” by calling their offices.
• Before you hand anybody any cash, stop and think!
• Call law enforcement officials if you’re suspicious.

IF YOU’VE BEEN SWINDLED, report the incident. Call the:
• Local police or sheriff
• Charleston Police --------------(304) 348-8111
• Kanawha County Sheriff----(304) 357-0191
• Federal Trade Commission---(877) ID-THEFT
• Better Business Bureau
• FAST ACTION MAY SAVE YOU MONEY.

A community action oriented site to help residents improve Charleston, West Virginia neighborhoods and aid in crime prevention.