Top Tip-Offs to Rip-Offs

• Don't forward money after receiving a win notice from a sweepstakes or lottery. If they're asking for taxes, shipping, processing or other fees upfront, it's a scheme. Don't send or wire money upfront to win.
• Don't pay for work from an unknown company. If investing in supplies, instructions or a starter kit, research the business at www.bbb.org. If a paycheck arrives, be on guard if it comes with instructions to deposit the check then wire a portion back to the sender or a third party. Do not deposit suspicious checks or wire money to strangers.
• Don't click links or download attachments from unfamiliar emails. Is it asking to verify account or other personal information? If it's from an unknown sender, delete it. If it appears to be from the government or your bank, finance or insurance company, use contact information from their official website to verify the legitimacy of the request.
• Don't provide payment or personal information to an unexpected caller. Receive a call from someone asking for money or information? Just say no. Do not provide or confirm any bank account, credit card or other personal information. Instead, if it’s a familiar contact—such as a trusted medical office or financial institution—see if the call is legitimate; call them back using the phone number from the company's website. Before buying or donating to telemarketing callers, research the business or charity at www.bbb.org.
• Don't enter personal information into an unsecured website. Banking or shopping online? Keep information private with two steps: First, review the privacy policy to see if the company sells or redistributes information to third parties. Second, make sure the Web address has an "s" in "https" to ensure the site is secure.

Do Attend Scam Jam. Help identify cons, avoid scams, and learn to protect finances and personal data at Scam Jam: A free anti-fraud seminar on Thursday, Nov. 4 from 6 p.m. until 7:30 p.m. at Jantzen Beach Shopping Center's Park Room located at 1405 Jantzen Beach Center in Portland. RSVP to Kyle Kavas at 503-212-3022 (ext. 402) or events@thebbb.org.

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