AVOID BECOMING A VICTIM OF FRAUD 

• Never give out Social Security numbers, Driver License numbers or any personal information over the internet or phone unless you know exactly who you are giving the information to.
• Do not pay for something merely because you will receive a "free gift".
• Check out unsolicited offers with the Better Business Bureau, local Consumer Protection Agency, or the Attorney General's Office before you agree to send money.
• Remember - "If it's too good to be true, it is!"
• To stop many unsolicited calls, put your phone number on the National "Do Not Call" registry.
• If you receive a call that you do not want, ask the company to put you on their own "Do Not Call" list.  They are obligated not to call you back.
• When throwing away garbage, be sure to shred any important documents that may have any personal information on it so it is unreadable.
• If you receive a request to deposit a check in your bank account, then wire funds via Western Union, while keeping a certain percentage for yourself, this is most likely a scam.  Western Union transactions can not be refunded or for the most part, even traced back to anyone.