Citzens Bank in Calumet offers advice against scammers
CALUMET -- Identity theft affects millions of people each year. But how can you stay safe?
If it sounds too good to be true, then it probably is.
That's the motto for Calumet's Citizens Bank identity theft presentation that's trying to educate people about preventing it from happening to them.
According to 2010 statistics, 1 in every 20 people are at risk for identity theft.
"It's a huge issue nationwide, but even in small towns, it's growing. And it's a scary thing. So we're just trying to bring the attention to people so they know what they are doing and how they are getting their information and how they are creating all this havoc," said Citizens Bank Manager Hal Franke.
The presentation focused on the different techniques that scammers use...and how people can avoid falling victim.
Some of the top ways scammers complete the crime is check fraud, Social Security fraud, and through email and Internet searches.
"We can't stop the bad guys. They're going to continue to try to get the information, the credit information, and the credit card information. But what we can help is the people...so they don't fall prey. At least they'll know how to protect themselves. If it's too good to be true, it probably is," Franke added.
People were encouraged to shred any personal paper documents, and always "log out" of online banking accounts.
In fact, the Internet is one of the most popular tools for scammers. One of the most common schemes is "friendly theft," which is when scammers will send an email claiming to be a relative or friend in need of money.
"If you have a computer, and if they ask you for your Social Security numbers or telephone numbers, don't give it. If you don't recognize the address, don't do it. And the same thing for telephone calls, too," said Calumet resident Ellen Torola.
Citizens Bank also plans to give presentations in Houghton and Hancock.
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