Tips: Avoid Financial Scams

  • Apr 30, 2007
 You’ve worked hard over the years to get where you are today. Don’t let unscrupulous fraudsters cheat you out of your hard-earned money. The Texas Society of Certified Public Accountants (TSCPA) offers tips for avoiding financial scams.
  • Only donate to recognized charities. If someone calls or e-mails you asking for a charitable donation, check out the organization before you give. You can sometimes spot bogus charities because they often use high-pressure tactics. A good rule of thumb is to determine at the beginning of each year how much money you want to give and to which organizations you want to give it. Look up recognized charities online at http://www.irs.gov (under Charities & Non-Profits) and http://www.GuideStar.org.
  • Think twice before buying a product from a television infomercial. Sure you might get three items for a limited time-only low price of $19.95, but buying products off a television infomercial can really cost you. If you want to return a product, questionable TV sales can sometimes put up lots of obstacles between you and your refunded money.
  • Be leery of e-mail solicitations. E-mail can be wonderful for swapping pictures of the grandkids, but it can be hazardous if your personal financial information is compromised. Banks don’t e-mail you about your account status. The e-mails are scams set up to resemble legitimate companies like Chase, eBay and PayPal. If you get these and other hoax e-mails like the Nigerian scam, delete them from your inbox. The Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Web site provides information on electronic scams. Sign up for e-mail alerts to learn about the latest scams and warnings at http://www.fbi.gov/cyberinvest/escams.htm.
  • Don’t make loans or give expensive gifts to caregivers. It is generally a violation of company policy for a caregiver to accept a loan from a client. If your caregiver approaches you for money, call the caregiver’s employer or talk to your family.
  • Watch out for home repair scams. It’s nice to have friends stop by for a visit, but it’s not so nice to open the door to a home repair scam. Beware of “contractors” who knock on your door and say your roof or driveway are in need of repair. Ask for a business card and thoroughly investigate the company and/or get a second opinion before agreeing to any repair work. The Texas Attorney General’s Office has helpful consumer protection information on their Web site at http://www.oag.state.tx.us.
  • Exercise caution when discussing your finances. It’s not pleasant to think about, but sometimes even family members can get greedy. If you feel uncomfortable about a loved one’s intentions regarding your finances, talk to another family member or the police about the situation.  

Featured

  • Allegion, Comfort Technologies Implement Mobile Credentials at the Artisan Apartment Homes in Florida

    Artisan Apartment Homes, a luxury apartment complex in Dunedin, Florida, recently transitioned from mechanical keys to electronic locks and centralized system software with support from Allegion US, a leading provider of security solutions, technology and services, and Florida-based Comfort Technologies, which specializes in deploying multifamily access control, IoT devices and software management solutions. Read Now

  • Mall of America Deploys AI-Powered Analytics to Enhance Parking Intelligence

    Mall of America®, the largest shopping and entertainment complex in North America, announced an expansion of its ongoing partnership with Axis Communications to deploy cutting-edge car-counting video analytics across more than a dozen locations. With this expansion, Mall of America (MOA) has boosted operational efficiency, improved safety and security, and enabled more informed decision-making around employee scheduling and streamlining transportation for large events. Read Now

  • Security Industry Association Launches New “askSIA” AI Tool

    The Security Industry Association (SIA) has unveiled a brand-new SIA member benefit – askSIA, a conversational AI agent designed to help users get the most out of their SIA membership, easily access SIA resources and find the latest information on SIA’s training and courses, reports and publications, events, certification offerings and more. SIA members can easily find askSIA by visiting the SIA homepage or looking for the askSIA icon in the top left of webpages. Read Now

    • Industry Events

  • Industry Embraces Mobile Access, Biometrics and AI

    A combination of evolving workplace dynamics, technology innovation and new user expectations is changing how people enter and interact with physical spaces. Access control is at the heart of these changes. Combined with biometrics and AI, mobile access control has become increasingly crucial for deploying entry solutions that are seamless, secure and adaptive to user needs. Read Now

  • Sustainable Video Solution Delivered for Landmark City of London Office Development

    An advanced, end-to-end video solution from IDIS, with a focus on reducing waste and costs, has helped a major office development in the City of London align its security with sustainability objectives. Read Now

Most   Popular

New Products

  • Automatic Systems V07

    Automatic Systems V07

    Automatic Systems, an industry-leading manufacturer of pedestrian and vehicle secure entrance control access systems, is pleased to announce the release of its groundbreaking V07 software. The V07 software update is designed specifically to address cybersecurity concerns and will ensure the integrity and confidentiality of Automatic Systems applications. With the new V07 software, updates will be delivered by means of an encrypted file.

  • QCS7230 System-on-Chip (SoC)

    QCS7230 System-on-Chip (SoC)

    The latest Qualcomm® Vision Intelligence Platform offers next-generation smart camera IoT solutions to improve safety and security across enterprises, cities and spaces. The Vision Intelligence Platform was expanded in March 2022 with the introduction of the QCS7230 System-on-Chip (SoC), which delivers superior artificial intelligence (AI) inferencing at the edge.

  • ResponderLink

    ResponderLink

    Shooter Detection Systems (SDS), an Alarm.com company and a global leader in gunshot detection solutions, has introduced ResponderLink, a groundbreaking new 911 notification service for gunshot events. ResponderLink completes the circle from detection to 911 notification to first responder awareness, giving law enforcement enhanced situational intelligence they urgently need to save lives. Integrating SDS’s proven gunshot detection system with Noonlight’s SendPolice platform, ResponderLink is the first solution to automatically deliver real-time gunshot detection data to 911 call centers and first responders. When shots are detected, the 911 dispatching center, also known as the Public Safety Answering Point or PSAP, is contacted based on the gunfire location, enabling faster initiation of life-saving emergency protocols.