Don’t be afraid to hang up. It is okay to be rude!

Educate yourself and talk to other people. Staying informed and talking to others is the best way to prevent scams.

If you’re not sure, don’t hesitate to ask someone else. Tell your friends, your neighbors or your family about an offer or business you’re considering. Ask them for feedback.

Never accept the “help” of someone who calls and offers their assistance “for a small fee”. It is almost certainly a scam artist.

Shred all personal information, including:

	Receipts
	Credit card statements
	Copies of credit applications
	Insurance forms
	Physicians’ statements
	Expired charge cards
	Credit cards and other offers of credit
	Mailing labels from magazines
	Any items that may have account numbers, customer numbers or membership numbers

If you think you’ve been victimized, call your local law enforcement office immediately!