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People today are bombarded with telemarketing phone calls, junk mail, and people knocking on their doors trying to sell things to them. However, many of them don't realize that it is OK for them to hang up the phone, tear up the junk mail, or refuse to open their doors to people they don't know.
Every year, people lose millions of dollars to fraud, cons, and scams. Little, if any of this money is ever recovered. Criminals involved in these activities need your personal information - credit card numbers, bank account numbers, social security or driver's license numbers, or even Medicare or Medicaid numbers - if they are going to succeed.
Do not give out personal information to anyone on the telephone or at your door unless you solicited his or her service.
For more detailed information on fraud, visit our Publications page and look under the subject heading "Avoiding Fraud and Scams". You can also contact us for more information or assistance.
