Avoid Consumer Fraud

Monica Leach and Jodi Hall, researchers at North Carolina State University, offer tips on avoiding consumer frauds:

•Don’t share your Social Security number, bank account or credit card information with someone you don’t know who calls or e-mails you.

•Sign up for the national Do Not Call Registry at 888-382-1222 or donotcall.gov

•Walk away from anyone who says you must make a decision right now

•Don’t pay money upfront to get a loan or win a lottery or sweepstakes.

• Ignore requests to transfer money to your account or wire it out of the USA