From the Bureau: Resolutions for a fraud-free new year

Many consumers already have made thoughtful decisions about New Year’s resolutions.

No matter what your goals are, the Better Business Bureau is here to help make 2025 safe, secure and fraud-free. The loss of money and personal information continue with online purchase scams the riskiest of all scams.

The Bureau recommends adding a few precautionary steps to your New Year's resolution list, in addition to the usual weight loss and financial goals, to help make the upcoming days and months safe and secure.

Therefore, consider resolving to...

Be cautious with email. Be wary of unsolicited emails from a person or company. Remember, scammers can make emails look like they are from a legitimate business, government agency or reputable organization (even the Better Business Bureau!). Never click on links or open attachments in unsolicited emails.
Never send money to strangers. If there has not been an opportunity to meet a person face-to-face, don't send them money. This is especially true if the person asks you to transfer funds using a prepaid debit card or an anonymous payment platform. Money sent to strangers in this way is untraceable, and once it is sent, there's no getting it back. Scammers will try to trick folks into panicking — so before making a move, think the situation through. Don’t fall for it!
Do research before making online payments and purchases. Thoroughly research the retailer before entering payment information when shopping online or on social media. Before entering payment information ask: Is this a person or business I know and trust? Do they have a working customer service number? Where is the company physically located? Would I be making payments through a secure server (https://....com)? Have I checked to see if others have complained?
Use my best judgment when sharing my personal information. Sharing sensitive personal information with scammers opens the door to identity theft. Never share financial information, birth date, address, Social Security number or Medicare information with an unsolicited caller.
Create strong, unique passwords for each account. Using strong, varied passwords across accounts makes it harder for fraudsters to access multiple accounts if one is compromised.
Enable two-factor authentication. Adding this layer of security to accounts, especially those involving finances or personal data, greatly reduces the risk of unauthorized access.
Be social media smart. Use privacy settings on social media and only connect with people you know. Be careful about including personal information in a profile and never reveal an address and other sensitive information. Scammers may use this information to make themselves pass as friends or relatives and earn your trust. Also, be careful when buying products on social media. BBB Scam Tracker has received thousands of complaints about misleading Facebook and Instagram ads.
Regularly check my financial statements. Committing to timely review bank and credit card statements can help catch unauthorized transactions early and allow for disputes.
Educate myself about the latest scams. Staying informed on emerging scams helps you recognize and avoid new fraud tactics.

Bobby Hansen is regional director for the Better Business Bureau Cedar Rapids office. Comments: (319) 365-1190; [email protected]