03/02/2026
** Public Service Announcement **
1. Be wary of unexpected contact
Question any unexpected communication you receive from a business or government agency, and don't give them any of your personal information.
Even seemingly innocuous details, such as your email address or phone number, can help scammers build a profile about you over time.
If you didn't initiate contact, hang up and go directly to the source.
If you think it's your bank, contact your bank in the manner you usually do — whether it's by logging in to your account, going into the branch or calling the number on the back of your card — and ask a representative whether the institution is trying to get in touch with you.
2. Question messages that convey urgency
Be wary of messages that convey urgency. For example, a scammer may prompt you to wire money immediately to bail your grandchild out of jail or to click on a password-reset link within 24 hours to avoid losing access to an account.
3. Be alert to current events
Watch out for criminals who are trying to capitalize on current events to pull off fraud. For example, be on high alert for scams (email, text, calls) asking for donations or money after a natural disaster.
4. Review activity on your accounts
Sign up for online access at your financial institutions and review the activity on your accounts at least every few days; don't wait for your monthly statement.
If you have older parents who aren't computer-savvy, ask whether you or another trusted person can help review their accounts.
Question suspicious charges, even if they're small. A charge of a few dollars may indicate that a thief is testing the card or account number.
5. Set up text-message alerts
Get text-message alerts for transactions on your financial accounts, including ones you don't access often.
You can customize your notifications to receive alerts of any suspicious activity, for example, or for transactions above a certain size.
But watch out for fraudulent alerts from criminals who are attempting to gather personal information from you. They may say that suspicious activity has appeared on your account, and when you respond, they’ll ask for your account number or social security number to validate your identity.
A bank will never ask to validate you when they call you first.
6. Use strong passwords
Use strong passwords, and don't repeat the same password among different accounts.
Create passwords that are at least 16 characters long and contain a random mix of uppercase letters, lowercase letters, numbers and special characters. Store these passwords in a safe location.
7. Set up multifactor authentication
Multifactor authentication requires an extra step to access your account, such as undergoing a facial scan, entering a code texted to your phone or using a standalone app on your device.
8. Review your credit reports
Review your credit reports regularly for suspicious activity.
If you see a credit card or loan that you don’t recognize, a criminal may have taken out an account in your name.
You can get free online credit reports from Experian, Equifax and TransUnion (the three major credit-reporting companies) at AnnualCreditReport.com
Also, check your older parents' reports and check to see whether your kids have credit records.
9. Consider freezing your credit
Consider freezing your credit. This blocks lenders from accessing your credit reports in response to an application for a new credit account — essentially stopping thieves who try to open accounts with your information.
It's much easier to freeze and thaw your credit report than it used to be, and it's free.
10. Use automatic or electronic payments
Use automatic or electronic payments rather than checks when possible.
Check fraud has increased significantly in recent years. Electronic payments are generally better, faster, cheaper and more secure. However, be suspicious if you're asked to send money through nontraditional payment methods. Scammers will insist that you pay through methods such as gift cards and crypto.
11. Stay informed
Scams are always evolving, and they often target topics in the news.
You can keep up with the latest scams at PIRG's scam resource, the FTC's page on scams, the FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center, the FBI's page on scams and fraud, the BBB's Scam Tracker, the Identity Theft Resource Center and the websites of many banks.
12. Report scams of any size
Report suspicious activity to your local law enforcement (Romney PD 304-822-4060, Hampshire County Sheriff 304-822-3894, WVSP Romney 304-822-3561) the FBI's complaint center. You can also report scams to the FTC.
These federal agencies don’t typically work on individual cases to help people get refunds, but the information assists with their broader investigations of fraud.
Also, report the scam to your financial institution or credit card company.
At IdentityTheft.gov, you can describe your situation and get help with an ID theft recovery plan.
