Crime Prevention
Fraud

Here are some basics tips to help prevent you from becoming a victim of fraud. Remember, this is professional advice only. These tips are in NO way a guarantee that you will never become a victim. This is merely advice to help you protect yourself!

  ¦  Credit Cards  ¦  Lotteries  ¦  Ponzi/Pyramids  ¦  Internet Auctions  ¦
  ¦  Counterfeit Cashier's Check  ¦  Debt Elimination  ¦  Investment Fraud  ¦  Charities  ¦
  ¦  Work-At-Home  ¦  Business Oportunities  ¦  



CREDIT CARDS:
  • Only carry around credit cards that you absolutely need. Don't carry around extra credit cards that you rarely use.
  • Shred anything with your credit card number written on it.
  • When shopping online, ensure a site is secure and reputable before providing your credit card number online.
  • Open credit card bills promptly and make sure there are no bogus charges. Treat your credit card bill like your checking account -- reconcile it monthly. Save your receipts so you can compare them with your monthly bills.
  • Don't trust a website just because it claims to be secure.
  • If purchasing merchandise, ensure it is from a reputable source.
  • Shield your credit card number so that others around you can't copy it or capture it on a cell phone or other camera.
  • Always void and destroy incorrect receipts.
  • Promptly reconcile credit card statements to avoid unauthorized charges.
  • Do your research to ensure legitimacy of the individual or company.
  • Carbon paper is rarely used these days, but if there is a carbon that is used in a credit card transaction, destroy it immediately.
  • Beware of providing credit card information when requested through unsolicited emails or mail offers.
  • Sign your credit cards as soon as you receive them.
  • Keep a record of your account numbers, their expiration dates, and the phone number and address of each company in a secure place.
  • If you find any charges that you don't have a receipt for -- or that you don't recognize -- report these charges promptly (and in writing) to the credit card issuer.
  • Keep an eye on your card during the transaction, and get it back as quickly as possible.
  • Never leave your credit cards or receipts lying around.
  • Save receipts to compare with billing statements.
  • Notify card companies in advance of a change in address.
  • Shred all credit card applications you receive.
  • Ideally, it's a good idea to carry your credit cards separately from your wallet -- perhaps in a zippered compartment or a small pouch.
  • Never sign a blank credit card receipt. Carefully draw a line through blank portions of the receipt where additional charges could be fraudulently added.
  • Don't write your PIN number on your credit card -- or have it anywhere near your credit card (in the event that your wallet gets stolen).
  • Never write your credit card account number in a public place (such as on a postcard or so that it shows through the envelope payment window).
Courtesy of IC3, NFIC/IFW, & FTC.




LOTTERIES:
  • If the lottery winnings appear too good to be true, they probably are.
  • Be cautious when dealing with individuals outside of your own country.
  • Be leery if you do not remember entering a lottery or contest.
  • Be cautious if you receive a telephone call stating you are the winner in a lottery.
  • Beware of lotteries that charge a fee prior to delivery of your prize.
  • Be wary of demands to send additional money to be eligible for future winnings.
  • It is a violation of federal law to play a foreign lottery via mail or phone.
Courtesy of IC3, NFIC/IFW, & FTC.




PONZI/PYRAMIDS:
  • If the "opportunity" appears too good to be true, it probably is.
  • Beware of promises to make fast profits.
  • Exercise diligence in selecting investments.
  • Be vigilant in researching with whom you choose to invest.
  • Make sure you fully understand the investment prior to investing.
  • Be wary when you are required to bring in subsequent investors.
  • Independently verify the legitimacy of any investment.
  • Beware of references given by the promoter.
Courtesy of IC3, NFIC/IFW, & FTC.




INTERNET AUCTIONS:
  • Before you bid, contact the seller with any questions you have.
  • Review the seller's feedback.
  • Be cautious when dealing with individuals outside of your own country.
  • Ensure you understand refund, return, and warranty policies.
  • Determine the shipping charges before you buy.
  • Be wary if the seller only accepts wire transfers or cash.
  • If an escrow service is used, ensure it is legitimate.
  • Consider insuring your item.
  • Be cautious of unsolicited offers.
Courtesy of IC3, NFIC/IFW, & FTC.




COUNTERFEIT CASHIER'S CHECK:
  • Inspect the cashier's check.
  • Ensure the amount of the check matches in figures and words.
  • Check to see that the account number is not shiny in appearance.
  • Be watchful that the drawer's signature is not traced.
  • Official checks are generally perforated on at least one side.
  • Inspect the check for additions, deletions, or other alterations.
  • Contact the financial institution on which the check was drawn to ensure legitimacy.
  • Obtain the bank's telephone number from a reliable source, not from the check itself.
  • Be cautious when dealing with individuals outside of your own country.
Courtesy of IC3, NFIC/IFW, & FTC.




DEBT ELIMINATION:
  • Know who you are doing business with - do your research.
  • Obtain the name, address, and telephone number of the individual or company.
  • Research the individual or company to ensure they are authentic.
  • Contact the Better Business Bureau to determine the legitimacy of the company.
  • Be cautious when dealing with individuals outside of your own country.
  • Ensure you understand all terms and conditions of any agreement.
  • Be wary of businesses that operate from P.O. boxes or maildrops.
  • Ask for names of other customers of the individual or company and contact them.
  • If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is.
Courtesy of IC3, NFIC/IFW, & FTC.




INVESTMENT FRAUD:
  • If the "opportunity" appears too good to be true, it probably is.
  • Beware of promises to make fast profits.
  • Do not invest in anything unless you understand the deal.
  • Don't assume a company is legitimate based on "appearance" of the website.
  • Be leery when responding to invesment offers received through unsolicited email.
  • Be wary of investments that offer high returns at little or no risk.
  • Independently verify the terms of any investment that you intend to make.
  • Research the parties involved and the nature of the investment.
  • Be cautious when dealing with individuals outside of your own country.
  • Contact the Better Business Bureau to determine the legitimacy of the company.
Courtesy of IC3, NFIC/IFW, & FTC.




CHARITIES:
Courtesy of IC3, NFIC/IFW, & FTC.




WORK-AT-HOME:
  • Know who you’re dealing with.
  • Don’t believe that you can make big profits easily.
  • Be cautious about emails offering work-at-home opportunities.
  • Get all the details before you pay. A legitimate company will be happy to give you information about exactly what you will be doing and for whom.
  • Find out if there is really a market for your work.
  • Get references for other people who are doing the work.
  • Be aware of legal requirements.
  • Know the refund policy.
  • Beware of the old “envelope stuffing” scheme.
  • Be wary of offers to send you an “advance” on your “pay".
  • Do your own research about work-at-home opportunities.
Courtesy of IC3, NFIC/IFW, & FTC.




BUSINESS OPORTUNITIES
Courtesy of IC3, NFIC/IFW, & FTC.
Under Florida law, e-mail addresses are public records.
If you do not want your e-mail address released in response to a public-records request,do not send electronic mail to this entity.
Instead, contact this office by phone or in writing.

Copyright © 2006 Walton County Sheriff's Office. All rights reserved.
This information is made available to the public and law enforcement in the interest of public safety.
Any unauthorized use of this information is forbidden and subject to criminal prosecution.