Capitol Corner: Tis the Season to Avoid Fraud!

Statement

The Christmas and Holiday season is the time to praise God for sending His only Son and our Savior to Earth, to spend time with our friends and family, and show how much we love one another. And one of the many ways we Americans show our affection is by gift giving!

As you wrap up (or get started) on your Christmas shopping, make sure to be mindful of the risks associated with frequent and large purchases. Scams peak during the holiday season, and I encourage each individual to keep a close eye on their bank statements for fraudulent charges. Be mindful of sites that look suspicious and that ask for extremely detailed, sensitive, personal information. Make sure to check with your bank to see when your chip-enabled card will arrive, as they are more secure than magnetic strip cards. Last, if you are going to purchase online, try a credit card: they have better fraud protection than most debit cards. If you see any suspicious charges, report them to your bank immediately.

Year round protections include using strong passwords that include numbers and special characters. Be wary of sharing sensitive information over Free WiFi, as it is not a secure network. Small behavioral changes and better awareness as consumers can save both precious time and money this holiday season. "Tis the season to avoid fraud!

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