The Lone Tree Police Department would like to remind citizens to be cautious of scams. Every day, consumers and businesses are contacted via the internet, telephone, mail and in person by someone attempting to solicit personal information. This is known as “phishing”. The contact will sound like they are from a legitimate source, but don’t take the bait. In reality, they are manipulating people into divulging their personal identifying information, account information, user names, and passwords for financial gain. Phishers frequently target customers of banks and online payment services.
Here are some things to keep in mind and think about:
· Know who you are speaking to on the telephone; if you did not initiate the call, do not provide personal information.
· Know who you are communicating with on the internet. Do not click on links or provide personal information unless you initiated the contact via the web site or email address. Install fire walls and virus software on your computer and run periodic updates.
· Use passwords that do not contain easily available information, such as mother’s maiden name, date of birth, phone number, etc. Consider using a combination of upper and lower case letters, numbers and symbols in your passwords.
· Check your credit reports yearly. You can order free credit reports from the three credit bureaus (Equifax, Experian, and Trans Union) through the centralized service website www.annualcreditreport.com or telephone number 877-322-8228 once per year. You will have to provide your social security number to obtain the reports.
If you become a victim of identity theft or fraud, file a police report with your local law enforcement agency. The 18th Judicial District Attorney’s Consumer Protection Line, 720-874-8547, provides assistance to victims of crime and they can answer questions on phishing scams. If you have any questions, call the Lone Tree Police Department at 303-339-8150.