By Staff
The 2008 holiday season is officially behind us.
Health club memberships replace cookies and other festive treats.
The shopping flurry is over and credit card statements will replace holiday greeting cards in our mail deliveries.
While the past weeks have been filled with celebrations with family and friends, some "less honest" individuals have also been very busy – both in planning and executing various scams that may target our mail, e-mail, bank accounts and credit ratings.
As we begin 2009, it is important to "take stock" of our personal and financial records and our activities related to those accounts and documents.
The following tips may help you avoid a scam that could compromise your accounts and future security.
Request a free copy of your credit report annually from Experian, Equifax and TransUnion.
Note any lapses in timely delivery of monthly statements such as telephone, utilities, etc.
Follow up by reporting any problems to the postal service and vendor.
This could be an indication that someone may have rerouted your mail to obtain your personal information and then opened fraudulent accounts and credit with your identity.
If you will be out of town for extended periods, have someone take in the mail and newspapers (or stop delivery until you return).
Keep all valuable personal and financial documents secured.
Do not leave paperwork, including Social Security or financial account information in a location where someone could potentially see it.
Do not give personal information or bank/credit card information over the phone unless you have initiated the call and are certain you are speaking to a reputable company.
Do not carry your Social Security card/number in your wallet – keep it in a secure location. Only carry the cash and/or credit cards that you will need for an outing – secure all others.
Secure a copy of all items in your wallet. If your wallet is lost or stolen, you then have a complete inventory to report to the authorities as well as information to cancel accounts and request new documents as needed.
Watch future editions of "Safety Corner" for additional tips to help you safeguard your sensitive information and documents against scams, schemes and swindles.
If you have topics you would like to see covered or specific safety questions, call Patty (Carlisle) Klug at the Dowagiac Police Department, 782-9743.