Consumer Protection Information -
Protecting Family Members and Ourselves

 

"If someone tells you they have something for you and it sounds too good to be true, it's a scam".

 

 

 

 

Avoiding Identity Theft

*courtesy of BBB, Raleigh, NC

Scam artists have become very clever. If they have your name and a Social Security number, they can re-create your identity which means they can make purchases using your money. You probably won't find out about it until large bills have accumulated. Cleaning up your good credit can take a long time and many hours of your time. Many times, the thieves are not caught. It is one of the fastest growing crimes in the United States.

 

Here are a few tips to help keep you from being a victim of identity theft. If you have any questions about them, contact your Attorney General's Office of Consumer Protection.

 

• Do not carry extra credit cards, your Social Security card, birth certificate, or passport with you when you go out.
• Do not give out your Social Security number to any agency or person that you do not know is reputable and only if absolutely necessary.
• Do not give out your Social Security number over the phone.
• Do not print your Social Security number on your checks.
• Do not write your Social Security number on your check at the check out counter.
• Do not put outgoing mail in your mailbox. Take it to a mail box or the post office. This is especially true of bills you may be paying.
• Do not have new checks sent to your home. Pick them up at the bank.
• Cancel all unused credit accounts.
• Tear up all credit card applications that come to you in the mail that you Do not intend to use.
• Never give out personal information over the phone. Scam artists can easily say they are from your bank or your Doctor's office.
• Destroy credit card receipts.
• Memorize all passwords.
• Review all credit card statements and other bills. Make sure the charges are correct.
• Check credit reports annually.
• Remove your name from the marketing lists of Equifax (800-525-6285), Experian (888-397-3742), and Trans Union (800-680-7289).

In North Carolina, the Attorney General's office has dedicated a website specifically to identity theft. You may also call 1-800-5-NO SCAM. This site guides you step-by-step on how to protect yourself and then again, step-by-step on what to do if you have become a victim. There are informational videos highlighting the stories of actual victims as well.

 

 

 

Better Business Bureau

The Better Business Bureau network was founded in 1912 and extends across the nation.

The BBB's Core Services include:

1. Business Reliability Reports
2. Dispute Resolution
3. Truth-in-Advertising
4. Consumer and Business Education
5. Charity Review

Use them to check out business before you contract for services, before you give to a charity, to learn about consumer issues, and to resolve disputes between a business and yourself.

 

 

Tips for the Consumer
from the NC Attorney General's Office

• Do not give your credit card or bank account number to a salesperson unless you are certain that you are dealing with a reputable organization. Anyone with your account number may be able to debit your account even without your written authorization.
• Be sure you understand a store's refund policy before you purchase an item.
• Before making a major purchase, be sure that you understand the terms of any warranties and be sure that all warranties are in writing.
• If you agree in writing to purchase something, make sure that the written document includes everything that you and the seller have agreed to. Keep copies of all documents.
• Before making a major purchase or agreeing to another major expense, such as a car repair, satisfy yourself that the party you are dealing with is reputable. Ask your friends for advice or call the Better Business Bureau or similar organization.
• Read carefully any document before signing it, no matter how long the document is.
• Be very wary of high-pressure sales tactics and demands that you "must act now" to receive a special deal.
• If you believe you have been defrauded, be skeptical of any offers by other parties who claim they can help you recover your losses. This second party may be working with the original con artist to victimize you a second time.

*courtesy of the NC Attorney General's Office

 

 

 

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