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’Tis the Season To Be Cautious

‘Tis the season, unfortunately, for scammers to take advantage of consumers who may be both feeling a little more generous than normal, and be using credit cards more frequently.

West Virginia Attorney General Patrick Morrisey has issued a warning for folks to protect their personal information as vigilantly as ever this time of year, particularly if someone calls or emails asking for personal and financial information — perhaps claiming to represent a charity.

When these low-lifes impersonate representatives of financial institutions, government agencies or charities, too many people fall victim and give them the details they seek. Full names, addresses, Social Security numbers, birth dates, driver’s license numbers, bank account numbers and credit card numbers are all vital pieces of information that can be used to steal an identity and cause an immense amount of damage.

Online shopping, particularly using a disreputable site, or clicking on an online coupon that redirects to an unsecure site, can open a doorway for thieves as well.

As Morrisey correctly points out, the first steps may be to guard against identity theft with a little caution and common sense; but the second step is to monitor accounts for any unauthorized withdrawals or expenditures, and be on the alert for any bills received for services the consumer did not purchase. Monitoring credit reports is important, too.

The holidays are no time of year to face a setback like identity theft. Be careful out there, gentle readers. Trust your instincts, guard your information and remember that if a deal sounds too good to be true, it probably is.

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