Urgent Call to ACTION
We all owe this to our significant others, family, friends and neighbors. We have scheduled a CPR/AED/
FIRST AID Class for Niguel Shores residents (and outside family & friends) for Sat., March 18 from 9:00 a.m. until Noon in the clubhouse. This is taught by an experienced and certified instructor & you will receive certification upon completion of the class. The fee is $45, and pre-registration and payment can be made in the NS office. BE PREPARED and sign up NOW!
How about fraud, scams, identity theft, unwanted phone calls… the list goes on, unfortunately? Technology comes with a downside… sophisticated scam artists seem to be increasing at an incredible rate and threaten all of us in many ways.
The National Crime Prevention Council www.ncpc.org/publishes a free mailing on many types of fraud prevention measures we should all be aware of. Please go online or call them (202-466-6272) to get this eye-opening publication.
Let’s look at just a few of the tactics you might have experienced and how to avoid them:
Telemarketing fraud. We all get some unsolicited and unwanted calls. To help prevent these calls, start by registering with the National Do Not Call Registry (888-382- 1222 or www.donotcall.gov). While it might not eliminate all unwanted calls it can reduce some.
In any case, start by NOT answering calls, if you have caller ID that indicate Caller Unknown or a number you don’t recognize. If it’s a legit call then see if they leave a message you want to respond to.
Here’s a quick list of DON’Ts and DO’s:
■ NEVER answer YES to any question unless you trust the caller after asking who they are. NEVER provide ANY personal information such as name, address, social security number, birth date, etc. Most scammers are pretty sophisticated and clever in getting this info from you and WILL use this to defraud.
■ NEVER take a call from the IRS! They won’t call you but send correspondence via mail.
■ NEVER send solicitations for charitable contributions
over the phone. Ask them to mail you a request and you will consider.
■ Never pay a fee to someone saying you have won a prize but need to provide a credit card number for UPS delivery or processing.
■ NEVER wire money to anyone but family or people you have known for a long time. Wiring money is as good as cash.
■ BE VIGILIANT over the telephone.
■ The LIST of fraud and scam techniques are endless and we need to be educated as to the methods used by today’s criminals over the phone, E-Mails, postal service and other avenues.
Here’s a LIST of other quickies to watch out for:
■ Don’t throw ANYTHING away in you garbage with credit card and bank statement, canceled checks or pre approved credit card offers.
■ Don’t leave mail in your mailbox for pick-up by the mailman if it has personal information. Mail it yourself in a postal box or at the Post Office.
■ Don’t carry your Social Security Card in your wallet
■ Don’t leave any ID in you unlocked automobile glove compartment or center console if you valet your car, ANYTIME.
I encourage you to Google fraud and scamming techniques for further tips and suggestions in protecting your accounts, personal information, and safeguarding your assets.
Call your bank, broker, CPA, and family attorney, for their advice and recommendations.
BUT, again, this doesn’t even scratch the surface. Do your own homework and learn what you need to do to protect yourself.
—Kent Wellbrock
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