of the Year
As anyone in the retail industry knows, the fourth quarter of the fiscal year is when the most money is spent. With decorations, gifts, and large family meals, average spending rises between Thanksgiving and Christmas. But with increased spending comes increased opportunity for dishonest people to attempt to part you from your hard-earned money.Unfortunately, consumer fraud and scams occur daily. Each year, the National Consumer League (NCL) and the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) compile lists of the most-reported scams to make citizens aware of the dangers. This year’s list is not surprising, with the top five scams including internet sales, fake checks, prizes or sweepstakes, phishing/spoofing, and advance loans/credit schemes. Thieves who operate these scams prey on both people’s good nature and the current economy in the hopes that someone will either believe a lie or be desperate enough to want to utilize their fake services. Without thorough research of these companies through reputable sources, such as the Better Business Bureau or even the Secretary of State’s office, citizens could potentially become a victim.
Identity theft is an epidemic in these days of increasing credit card use and Internet purchases. It increases the potential for thieves to get their hands on your basic information, either through physical theft of mail, “phishing” or “spoofing.” or as simple as someone writing down your credit card information. Phishing is a way of trying to steal your information by copying e-mail addresses, passwords, or credit card numbers through unsecure Internet sources. Spoofing uses deception to make consumers believe they are using a legitimate company or organization’s website that has been replaced with the hacker’s false page in order to duplicate and steal their information. Identity theft is difficult to recognize because it is not a crime that gets noticed immediately, unless you consistently monitor your bank account and your credit report.
You can control how scams and fraud affect you. Be alert — monitor your bank account activity. Check with your bank immediately when you notice discrepancies. If you believe you have been a victim of identity theft, alert law enforcement immediately. Having that report on file can save time later, as well money. Get informed, know your rights. Both the NCL and the FTC are a wealth of knowledge and can be valuable resources. Visit www.nclnet.org or www.ftc.gov for more detailed information regarding these crimes and how to deal with them.
There are a number of scams just waiting to be sprung on the unsuspecting Internet holiday shopper this year, so please be careful. Only use secure shopping sites. Check in the URL for the safety feature in the address that lets you know you are on a secure sight. A secure shopping site will feature an extra “s” at the end of the “http:” portion of the address, which stands for “secure.” Avoid clicking on online coupons, mystery shopper offers, or phony contests asking for your personal information. Use caution when downloading applications to a smart phone. Avoid posting travel plans on social networking sites where they might be seen by would-be thieves.
By taking appropriate steps, citizens can protect themselves from these types of invasive crimes. It can be frustrating knowing there are so many ways into our lives available to unscrupulous people, but protecting yourself is not out of reach.
As always, please feel free to contact me or my staff with any questions or concerns at any time. We look forward to hearing your comments and suggestions and trying to answer any questions you may have. You can reach us by phone at 866-277-0882 (toll-free) or 573-751-2272, or by fax at 573-526-7381.
Senator David Pearce serves Bates, Cass, Johnson and Vernon counties in the 31st State Senatorial District.
