6 Ways To Protect Yourself Against Consumer Scams

There's something about rough economic times that brings out the best in some but the worst in others. Consumer scams and rip-offs are at an all-time high as unscrupulous individuals and companies are rolling out every trick in the book (and some not yet discovered, I'm sure) to better themselves at the expense of unsuspecting, naive consumers.

The Better Business Bureau (http://www.bbb.org/us) has put together a list of ways we all can become better consumers when so many scam artists are doing all they can to separate us from our money.

1. Beware of easy money. Scammers are taking advantage of the unusually high number of job hunters. Beware of any job offer, work-at-home scheme or business "opportunity" that offers big money for little work and no experience.

2. Protect your computer. If you do not have antivirus software installed on your computer, get it now. Check regularly for software and operating system updates and patches. Don't open attachments or click on links in e-mails unless they come from someone you trust.

3. Never wire money to strangers. Sounds like a no-brainer, but you would not believe how many people do this because they are convinced they're going to benefit in some way. Scammers know it is nearly impossible to track money sent via MoneyGram or Western Union. See the word "wire" as a major red flag.

4. Protect your identity. Your identity is a valuable commodity for scam artists. They will stop at nothing to get their hands on your identifying information.
Always shred documents that contain account numbers and other identifying information. Dispose of computers, cell phones and digital data safely. The Better Business Bureau offers tips and checklists on what to shred and other valuable information to help you stay safe.

5. Learn about fake checks. Scammers have used advances in printing technology to scam untold numbers of consumers. They use fake cashier's checks and very real-looking refund, rebate and payment checks, making it easy for you to be fooled into thinking you mysteriously have hit the jackpot. Never accept a bank cashier's check for any amount or from any bank without first calling to make sure that check is authentic. By endorsing a check you assume must be real because it looks authentic or by filling in and signing a blank check you receive in the mail, you may have unwittingly handed the scammers all they need to send you down the river with a big load of new debt or a cleaned-out bank account. If it's too good to be true, check it out first.

6. Spoken words are useless. Do not rely on verbal agreements. It is impossible for you to win any kind of dispute based on what you are told. Insist that all agreements be put in writing, and make sure that the terms are simple to understand and match your expectations for what the business will deliver. If you cannot get it in writing, it's worthless, no matter how great it sounds.

Mary Hunt is the founder of www.DebtProofLiving.com and author of 18 books, including her latest, "Can I Pay My Credit Card Bill With a Credit Card?" You can e-mail her at mary@everydaycheapskate.com, or write to Everyday Cheapskate, P.O. Box 2135, Paramount, CA 90723.