During this holiday season we wanted to provide you with tips/resources to prevent scammers from getting your personal information as you increase your online activity for the holidays:

Phone Tips

· Never provide personal information such as social security, credit card or bank account numbers to anyone even if they say they are a government worker, especially if they called you.

· Government agencies like the IRS, SSA and the FBI will not call you on the phone if they need to communicate but rather send you a letter or email.

Internet Tips

· When making online purchases, use only one credit card for all purchases

· Ensure that websites have secure payment process prior to submitting payment

· Never open or respond to an email that you are not familiar with or recognize

General Tips

· Get and review a free copy of your credit report at least every 12 months from each credit report company @ www.annualcreditreport.com

· Monitor your credit statements monthly for any fraudulent activity.

· Report unauthorized transactions to your bank, financial firm or credit card company ASAP.

Learn more on the Bloomington Police Department website @ www.cityblm.org/police or www.facebook.com/cityblmPD. They have several informative brochures that you can download.

Cybersecurity and Prevention Tips