Sims: Let's get real on fraud, scam attempts

There are many types of scams. They take many forms - sweepstakes, credit or debit card, traveler in distress and inheritance scams, to name a few. Many scams are good at fooling people and use all the correct verbiage - very similar to what actual companies use. However, they are still scams.

Remember these three things:

¦ Never give out any identification numbers, such as Social Security or driver's license numbers, to anyone that you do not know.

¦ Credit and debit card companies will not ask you for any numbers from your card - so do not give a caller that information.

¦ If you are asked to send money to someone/somewhere because you have won or are entitled to something valuable, it is a scam.

If you have doubt about a call or a contact like this, ask for a number to call back. Then find the number that you already have for the bank or company - and call it. If the number the caller gave you is not tied to the company, tell the company what has happened. Then call the local law enforcement agency to make a report about the scam.

There are more victims of these types of crimes in the Amarillo area then the public realizes. Many victims of these types of scams tend to be elderly. Therefore, adults with elderly relatives should be involved in discussing these types of offenses with them, as well as the importance of following smart financial practices.

There are people in the Amarillo area connected to the running of these types of scams, but most of these scams originate outside the United States, which makes it difficult for state and federal law enforcement agencies.

Some may wish to do a credit report if they have given information to someone. Credit reports can be done at no cost by going to www.annualcredit report.com and following the instructions.

While there are three companies, get a report from just one, and keep track of which company used (Equifax) and the date used. Four months later, go to the site again and use one of the other two companies not used before (Experian) and keep a record of the date. Four months after that, use the one you have not used yet

(TransUnion) and record the date of that report. Four months later, you are ready to use the first company (Equifax), but you will have to do that report one day after you did it the year before. Continuing this cycle will allow you to check your credit report every four months for free.

While obtaining your credit report, you will have the opportunity to get your credit score. While getting your credit report is free, getting your credit score will cost you a fee, so beware of that cost should you choose to get your credit score.

Randall C. Sims is the 47th District attorney for Potter and Armstrong counties.