Central Precinct

MPO Michael Evanko, District 5 C.O.P.S. Liaison
Michael.Evanko@GwinnettCounty.com

You can avoid becoming a victim of fraud: 

Warning Signs:

• Sounds too good to be true
• Pressures you to act "right away"
• Guarantees success
• Promises unusually high returns
• Requires an upfront investment - even for a free prize
• Buyers want to overpay you for an item and have you send them the difference
• Doesn't have the look of a real business
• Something just doesn't feel right

Play it safe:

• Never click on a link inside an e-mail to visit a Web site. Type the address into your browser instead
• It's easy for a business to look legitimate online. If you have any doubts, verify the company with the Better Business Bureau
• Only 2 percent of reported identity theft occurs through the mail. Report online fraud to the Federal Trade Commission at ftc.gov/complaint
• Retain your receipts, statements, and packing slips. Review them for accuracy.
  Shred confidential documents instead of simply discarding them in the trash

Fraud facts:

• A bank will never e-mail or call you for your account number
• Don't wire money to people you don't know
• Be cautious of work-at-home job offers
• Check out the company with the Better Business Bureau
• There are no legitimate jobs that involve reshipping items or financial instruments from your home
• Foreign lotteries are illegal in the U.S. You can't win no matter what they say
• Check your monthly bank statements for charges you don't recognize
• Order a copy of your credit report from each of the three national credit bureaus once a year from www.annualcreditreport.com

Get involved:

• It's never too early to become an informed consumer. Point out "too good to be true" offers to your kids, and teach them to be skeptical
• Take an active interest in the financial activities of your aging parents
• Share information about scams with friends and family. Use social networking to help keep them safe