Avera Law Firm

The Avera Law Firm Blog is designed to update clients, vendors, and other interested persons regarding law firm news, personnel, legal issues, and legislative issues. The firm management welcomes posts and questions to the blog as an interactive means to provide information to the public.

Monday, October 13, 2008

Watch for New Scams and More Old Scams....

Particularly in light of the economic situation and the "lending crisis", we all need to be alert to scams intended to steal your money or to trick you into giving your money to someone who acts as though they have your best interests at heart. Here are some things you can do to avoid being the victim of a scam.

1. Never, ever, ever give your personal information (social security number, credit card numbers, drivers license info etc) to anyone via email. If they are asking for it via email, it is a scam.

2. Emails from banks....are not emails from banks. If they are asking for your PIN or account number, it is a scam. Do you think any bank would put highly sensitive information in cyberspace?

3. If an ATM does not look right, don't use it. Scammers are placing swipe readers (a raised slot) at ATMs to steal your account information. If the directions tell you to swipe your card BEFORE putting it into the machine, do not use it and report it to the bank.

4. Stay at home and work scams. Stuffing envelopes at home, medical billing or insurance claims processing, assembling crafts, email processing, mystery shopping are scams almost all of the time. If they request money from you for the job, treat it as a scam. Legitimate employers pay you money and train you and provide youwith the equipment you need. Not the other way around.

5. Keep all PINs safe. Don't give it to anyone.

6. Watch out for people that tyr to help you at ATMs.

7. Look at the ATM before using it. If it doesn't look right. Don't use it.

8. Try to use ATMs located at banks.

9. Check your credit card usage on-line regularly for unusual charges.

10. It's always better to be safe than sorry. If it doesn't feel right, delay what you are about to do, research it on the web, call the better business bureau, ask for references.

Avera & Smith will be sending out more information on scams in the near future.

posted by Mark Avera at 10/13/2008 09:00:00 AM

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