HealthyLife Articles

Tag: Personal Security

  • Stay Safe When Holiday Shopping

    FINANCIAL HEALTH

    Image of female on laptop with credit card in hand.

    The holidays are often a time for celebrations, get-togethers, and lots of shopping for gifts. Unfortunately, theft can happen any time of year, including during the holiday season. To keep yourself and loved ones safe when holiday shopping, consider these tips from the National Crime Prevention Council (NCPC):

    At malls and stores:

    *  To keep your money safe, carry your purse close to your body. Wallets are better kept in a front pocket, where they are harder to pickpocket.

    *  Have your keys ready when walking to your vehicle. Glance at the back seat and be aware of your surroundings before getting in.

    *  Don’t leave packages or valuables in your car where they can be seen. Take them home immediately, if possible, or keep them in the trunk.

    *  When shopping with children, teach them to go to a meeting place in case you get separated. Talk to them about finding store security guards or employees to help, if needed.

    When online shopping:

    *  Be sure you update anti-virus and anti-spyware software on your computer. Visitwww.bytecrime.org.

    *  Never give out your password or credit card information in response to emails. Valid companies will never ask for this type of information.

    *  Make sure the website is secure: look for a locked padlock at the bottom of the screen or “https” in the address at the top.

    *  Use secure payment methods, such as PayPal or Apple Pay, whenever possible. If using a credit card, check your transactions regularly and alert your bank if you notice anything suspicious.

    *  Check reviews of online stores to ensure the company is credible.

    Warm-up thefts are in season

    During the winter months, many people start their cars and let them warm up while they wait inside. This can be a prime opportunity for someone to steal your vehicle or items inside it, according to the NCPC. Here’s how to avoid these situations:

    *  Never leave your car running or keys in the ignition if you’re not in it, even for a minute.

    *  Always keep your car locked, and use anti-theft or alarm devices if you have them.

    *  Keep valuables out of sight (and preferably out of your car), such as phones, purses and electronics.

    © American Institute for Preventive Medicine

  • Stop! Thief

    FINANCIAL HEALTH

    Image of arm sneaking in from a door grabbing a purse on the counter.

    When your purse or wallet is lost or stolen, do you know the 8 steps you need to take right away because the thief is already cashing in on your loss? Act fast, advises the Federal Trade Commission:

    1. File a report with the police immediately. Get a copy in case your bank, credit card company, or insurance  company needs proof of the crime.

    2. Report the loss to your bank. Cancel checking and savings accounts. Open new ones, and stop payments on outstanding checks. Cancel each credit and charge card. Get new cards with new account numbers. Get a new ATM card, account number, and PIN or password.

    3. Call your utility companies. Tell them that someone may try  to get new service using your identification.

    4. Report your missing driver’s license to the department of  motor vehicles.

    5. Report missing cards to the major credit reporting agencies and place a fraud alert on your accounts: Equifax: 1-800-525-6285, Experian: 1-888-397-3742, TransUnion: 1-800-680-7289.

    6. Change the locks on your home and car if the keys were taken.

    7. Contact the Social Security Administration.    Call: 1-800-772-1213.

    8. Contact your insurance companies. Make sure no one tries to add someone to your policies.

    © American Institute for Preventive Medicine

  • Avoid Dubious Debt Collectors

    FINANCIAL HEALTH

    Wife on phone while husband sits besides her.

    Have you ever received a call from a debt collector that did not seem quite right? Perhaps it was for a debt you already paid or for one you did not recognize. Either way, the call may have given you a moment’s hesitation, wondering if they had the right person or if the call was legitimate. Scams like this are on the rise across the nation, and it is important for you to protect yourself from any debt collection scam.

    Ask who is calling

    Ask for the collector’s name, the company’s name, its address and phone number. If they cannot answer any of that information, hang up.

    Keep personal information to yourself

    If the collector asks for you to confirm personal information, do not correct them if they give out wrong information. Do not volunteer any additional personal information.

    Demand a validation notice

    Collectors must provide a validation notice and tell them you will not discuss the debt until you have received it. This notice will tell you how much money you owe, the name of the creditor and what to do if you don’t think you owe the money. The debt should also appear on a free, annual credit report.

    Do not respond to threats

    If the collector threatens to have you arrested or take away your driver’s license, hang up and report the collector to the FTC atftc.gov/complaint.

    Do detective work

    Contact the original creditor yourself to get to the bottom of it. They should be able to confirm whether the debt is legitimate.

    Dispute the debt

    If you do not think you should owe anything, even if you got validation information, dispute it with the collector by mail or online.

    Source: Federal Trade Commission

    © American Institute for Preventive Medicine