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Step 1
They look trustworthy....This happened to me. Stupid banking practice. I signed a couple blank checks I was going to mail to my kids but left them sitting on the back seat - forgetting that the window was half down. I notified my bank in time, but my heart was pumping. I also chalked it up to my age and awarded myself another FG sticker. We should all use direct deposits, and by now you should know not to put any personal info on your checks. Get a P.O. Box. Also, stop using debit cards for online purchases. Check bank statements online twice a week. Never sign a power of attorney. I did, but gave it to my wife for safe-keeping. Make sure you give yours to someone you trust.
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Step 2
NO....that's not my sister-in-law...(but close)Stay away from offers you know damn well are too good to be true. Think: P.T. Barnum. Stuff like travel, easy money, foreign mail and phone calls, charities that are bogus, and especially people asking for money to help firefighters and police. Don't leave valuable info or paperwork or personal effects out in the open in your house. My sister-in-law had an open house, but left her jewelry box out. A team of a man and woman came by and while the man asked her some questions, the lady went into her bedroom and made off with $4,000 worth of valuables. Ouch.
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Step 3
Put all your financial papers in a safe deposit box. If you plan to seek out a financial adviser, make sure you check him/her out first. And watch out for the "money-up-front" pitch and other overcharges. Finally, never give out your Medicare or any other supplemental insurance numbers to just anyone who asks. And, always read your billing statements to see what the actual payment costs were.
