DO NOT give out your personal information over the phone or the internet.

• Legitimate companies will never call and ask you for personal information over the phone or internet. If you receive a call or an e-mail claiming to be from a company you do business with requesting your personal information, look up the number and call them back yourself to verify. Companies you use already have your information so will not be asking for it. When in doubt – don’t give it out!
• Be wary of people offering anything (money, services, gifts, food) for personal or medical information.
• Shred documents and all mail with personal information before throwing them out. Suspend mail delivery if you anticipate being away for an extended period. Don’t leave mail visible in your car.

For more information or to report identity theft, contact the Federal Trade Commissions Identity Theft Hotline: 1-877-438-4338 or 1-877-ID-THEFT.

• Carefully review Explanation of Benefits forms and other medical records you receive to be sure you are getting billed only for services/procedures used, on the date they were provided.
• Be wary of people offering you free products/services or telling you Medicare wants you to have them.
• Be wary of telemarketers or door-to-door solicitors for products or services that your physician did not discuss with you or that you may not need. Go through your physician for medical needs.

For more information or to report Medicare fraud, contact the Office of Inspector General’s Hotline at 1-800-447-8477 or 1-800-HHS-TIPS.

• Be wary of people offering investments via phone, door-to-door, internet or fax. Be particularly wary of being pressured into making a quick decision, and of people who resist sending you something to consider in writing.
• Be wary of promises of investments that guarantee higher than usual rates of return or claims of “once in a lifetime opportunity.” All investments have some risk. Generally, the greater the potential return, the greater the risk. If you are being told otherwise, be careful. In general if it sounds too good to be true, then it probably is.
• Ask questions, do research, check references, ask to see something in writing, and sleep on your decision, even if you are being solicited by someone you know.

When in doubt, stick with the names you know (deposit and invest with well known financial institutions like Charleston Area FCU) and still do your research. Check out your broker or their firm here.

If you receive any questionable requests or offers and you want another opinion, do not hesitate to contact us. We are here to serve you and your financial needs and would be glad to take a look and let you know if it sounds legitimate.