10/07/2026
In December of 2025, the Federal Trade Commission reported that losses due to scams and fraud for a single year was around $196 billion! We do not want you to be a victim to these tactics. Here are a few things you can do to protect yourself and your loved ones.
1. Use the post office's informed delivery service to make sure incoming mail has not been stolen from your mailbox, including checks or refunds. Consider dropping outgoing mail, such as bill payments off at the post office instead of in your mailbox. Thieves will take these payments and use the numbers from your checks to withdraw money or pay their own similar bills.
2. Halt scammers at your front door. If you don't recognize the person at the door, don't answer. Beware of people posing as utility workers that show up unannounced. And if they begin pressuring you to buy something or install something at your home, let them know they can leave you some information to review and if you are interested you can call them.
3. Routinely check your credit report. This is often a free service through your credit card company. If you see unusual activity, report it to the appropriate financial institution and then freeze your credit report so the scammers cannot open any new credit cards in your name.
4. Use unique passwords that are phrases rather than anything that could be used to identify you like names, birthdates, anniversaries or your dog's name. Then store them safely in a password managing system. Also, if available use a two factor authentication system that sends a text or email with a one time passcode, in order to add an extra layer of safety.
5. Any calls or texts that come from an unknown number should be ignored or sent to voicemail. Anything that is legitimate will be willing to leave a voicemail. If someone from an unknown number claims to be a business that you use, call the number you would typically call to contact them and verify if they contacted you. Never respond to unsolicited business texts. If you think it may be valid, call the organization or company directly.
These are just a few ideas to keep you from believing the deception of scams and frauds. Let's be safe out there !
