This is the time of year for celebrating with family and friends. But, unfortunately, we have grinches among us who use it to scam unsuspecting victims. Billions of dollars are stolen and millions of Americans become victims of identity theft every year.¹ If a thief steals your identity, they can take out loans in your name and wreak havoc on your credit.

Protecting yourself starts with learning how to spot a potential scam. My basic rule of thumb is that if it sounds too good to be true, it probably is. Let’s start with telemarketing scams, which can range from bogus vacation awards to charity appeals. You should be suspicious of a call if:

• the caller claims to be working for a business that has a name intended to sound like a government agency or a well-known company;
• the caller says you must act on the offer the same day;
• the caller asks for your credit card number or your Social Security number; or
• you have to pay a fee before receiving complimentary services.

Telemarketers can only legally call between 8 a.m. and 9 p.m., and they cannot call people who are listed on the Do Not Call Registry, which prevents unwanted calls. To be added to the registry, call 888-382-1222.

You also should be extra careful when shopping online, which can put you at risk for unsecured transactions, phony promotional offers and complicated cancellation fees. When I shop online, I make sure every website starts with “https” so I know it’s a secure site that protects privacy. I also use my credit card, because credit card companies have more consumer protection measures in case of an illegal transaction.²

The Better Business Bureau is also a great resource for consumers. The bureau reports a company’s reliability and helps you determine whether you want to use the company’s service. There will be some great holiday and post-holiday deals, so let’s make sure that we’re only buying those that are safe, secure and legitimate.³

If your identity is stolen, make sure you contact the fraud department at each of the three major credit bureaus immediately and have them freeze your credit reports. This can prevent thieves from taking out new loans in your name. It’s also important to close the fraudulent accounts, file a police report and obtain a copy for your records. The Federal Trade Commission is a helpful resource (www.ftc.gov).

A few simple steps can help you protect yourself from hackers and thieves. If you have any questions regarding scams or any community issue, please feel free to contact me at StirpeA@nyassembly.gov or at 315-452-1115.

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