Quick Holiday Tips to protect yourself from Fraud!

In-store:

• Don’t lose sight of your debit or credit card, swipe it yourself. It takes only a few seconds for the bad guys to make a copy.

• Don’t worry about offending people, shield your PIN (personal identification number) and don’t give it to anyone.

• Don’t keep written records of your PIN or social insurance numbers in your wallet or purse.

Online:

• Use your home computer not one at a library or Internet cafe.

• Don’t click on links even if you know who sent it. Instead, manually type in a retailer’s website.

• Use a credit care with a low limit, a single use payment card or a reliable third-party payment system.

• Verify secure connections and look for an https:// address or the padlock symbol on websites.

• When buying from auction sites or unauthorized retailers, remember that legitimate goods are rarely heavily discounted.

• Monitor your financial statements online and alert institutions immediately to any suspicious transactions.

At home:

• Don’t leave mail in you mailbox.

• Shred pre-approved credit card applications, bills and receipts.

• Don’t provide personal information over the phone and don’t fall victim to telephone solicitations.

And if you believe you’ve been caught in a scam, report it to police or your financial institution immediately.