6 steps to avoid falling victim to scams

FRANKFORT, Ky. (WTVQ) – Attorney General Andy Beshear offers 6 ways you can keep your family from falling victim to scams and identity theft.

Beshear reports that Kentucky families lost around $6 million to scams in 2017.

According to the Federal Trade Commission, more than 22,00 fraud complaints and 3,000 identity theft reports were made by Kentuckians in the last year.

The more prevalent complains were toward debt collection, imposter scams, and identity theft.

The 6 steps are:

• Checking your credit regularly for irregularities,
• Update and strengthen online passwords to prevent hacking opportunities,
• Don’t be quick to offer personal information,
• Clean out and shred old documentation that may contain sensitive information,
• Stop use of untraceable payment methods.
• Sign up for scam alerts.

To report a scam or consumer complaint visit Beshear’s website, ag.ky.gov.