Use this tax season to protect your finances

Mar 9, 2016

Washington, DC, March 9, 2016 – Each year we have hopes to increase our income and save more money. The National Crime Prevention Council wants to give you the tools to protect yourself from identity theft and investment fraud so you can enjoy a safe and secure financial future. Go to www.ncpc.org to find free easy-to-use tips and publications that will help protect yourself against Fraud and Identity Theft, Investment Fraud, and Mortgage Fraud.

“In 2014, an estimated 17.6 million people were victims of at least one incident of identity theft.  As we emerge from holiday spending and head into tax season, it is important to protect our identity from those who want to steal it,” says Ann Harkins, president and CEO of NCPC. Identity thieves commit their crime in several ways. They dig through garbage cans or communal dumpsters in search of cancelled checks, credit card and bank statements, and preapproved credit card offers. They file a change of address form in the victim’s name to divert mail and gather personal and financial data.

Valuable information is also available through material NCPC produced with the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) Investor Education Foundation. The FINRA Investor Education Foundation educates and empowers consumers to avoid financial fraud. We believe if consumers learn the tactics of the scammers, follow the tips for identifying a fraudulent offer, and understand how scammers select their targets, they can reduce their risk of becoming a victim. The result of our work is a national Investment Fraud Prevention Program and an award-winning public service advertising series that shares the “red flags of fraud” and urges “before you invest, ask and check.”

Please view and share the video series.

About the National Crime Prevention Council

The National Crime Prevention Council is the nonprofit leader in crime prevention. For more than 35 years, our symbol of safety, McGruff the Crime Dog®, has delivered easy-to-use crime prevention tips that protect what matters most—you, your family, and your community. Since 1982, NCPC has continuously provided the American public with comprehensive educational materials, training programs, and effective crime prevention messaging, delivered in large part through its vast network of more than 10,000 state and local law enforcement agencies, crime prevention associations, community groups, foundations, and corporate partners.  For more information on how NCPC can be a public safety expert for you or how to “Take A Bite Out of Crime®,” visit www.ncpc.org.

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