BBB CONSUMER TIPS: Make These 10 Resolutions for a Safe, Scam-Free Year | News from the Aiken area

The start of a new year is the perfect time to resolve to protect your personal and financial information. BBB presents the following 10 New Year’s resolutions to fight scammers, prevent identity theft and save money in 2025.

1. Check your credit report

You are now entitled to a free credit report every week from each of the three major credit reporting agencies: Equifax, TransUnion and Experian. You can order the reports via annualcreditreport.com. Once you receive your report credit card, review all information carefully. If you see information that is inaccurate, then you should file a dispute with any office reporting the error. Checking your credit report helps you spot signs of identity theft early.

2. Join the do not call register

The National Do Not Call Registry gives you a choice about whether you receive telemarketing calls. To add your number at the registry you can call 1-888-382-1222 or register online at ftc.gov/donotcall. Registration is free for home and mobile. You may still receive political, charity, debt collection, information and telephone survey calls. Also note that scammers do not join the Do Not Call Registry.

3. Always read the fine print

When shopping online, sign a contract, and especially for “free trial” offers, be sure to take your time and read the fine print before handing over your card information. credit or debit. Find the terms and conditions of the offer. This includes offers online, on TV, in the newspaper or on the radio. If you can’t find them or don’t understand exactly what you’re agreeing to, don’t sign up.

4. Keep your computer safe

Keep a clean machine by installing a firewall, antivirus and anti-spyware software. Check for and install the latest updates and run antivirus scans regularly. Don’t open attachments or click on email links unless you can confirm that the email came from someone you trust. Choose passwords that incorporate a combination of numbers, capital letters and symbols. Avoid using the same password for all your accounts. and never share passwords with anyone else.

5. Fights identity theft

Be sure to destroy any documents that contain information about your account. bank account, social security number or other personal information. These include credit card applications, insurance forms, financial statements, health forms and utility bill statements. Be suspicious of any unsolicited communications that ask for your personal information. They might really be scammers trying to steal your identity.

6. Never transfer money to someone you don’t know

Many scams require the victim to wire money back to the scammers. Scammers know that tracking money sent via MoneyGram or Western Union is extremely difficult. Even more worrying for victims is that it is almost impossible to get your money back. The same goes for prepaid debit cards or gift cards.

7. Get everything in writing

Don’t just take a company’s word for it. Get every verbal agreement in writing to limit miscommunication and misunderstandings of your expectations. and what the business offers. Make sure you read and understand an agreement well and don’t sign a contract with blank spaces that could be changed or changed. Finally, once the contract is signed, keep a copy of it for your records.

8. Fight fake check fraud

Thanks to advances in printing technology, fraudsters can create fake checks that look very real. Educate yourself about common types of check fraud and be extremely wary of checks that come with claims that you’ve won the lottery, are eligible for a government grant, or have landed a job as a mystery shopper.

9. Be careful when using public Wi-Fi

If you’re in a place that offers free Wi-Fi, check the name of the connection before joining. Scammers often create fake hotspots next to real ones. When using a hotspot to sign in to an account or make a purchase, make sure the site is fully encrypted. If you regularly access public Wi-Fi, use a virtual private network (VPN). VPNs encrypt the traffic between your computer and and the Internet, even on unsecured networks.

10. Ask BBB for help

If you receive an offer or solicitation, look up the company or charity for free with the Better Business Bureau at bbb.org. You can also use the BBB to file a complaint if you have a disagreement with a business, report online scams to the BBB Scam Tracker, and request expert advice or quotes with the BBB Request a Quote service.

If you have noticed a scam, please report it to BBB.org/ScamTracker. your report can help others avoid becoming victims.