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Show Sun Advocate Price. Utah Tuesday May 9, 2000 5B Practicing caution to curb credit card fraud By JOHN FORD caller your bank account number, It may be used to withdraw your money without your permission. Credit card numbers should be used with utmost caution in phone' transactions. Unless you Initiate the telephone call, don't share your credit card numbers with anyone, Report any suspicious keting activity to your state attor ney general listed in your local phone diroctoiy and on the National Association of Attorneys General Tbke a few moments and con- aider the following scenario A couple takes their dream re-tirement trip to a Caribbean Island to relax in the sun. During their stag they make credit card purchases at several hotels and restaurants. When retuminghome, the couple retrieve their monthly credit card statement from the mailbox. tele-ma- ' Much to the couple's surprise, the credit card statement Includes sev- eral charges they cant identify from Wfebslteatwwwnaa&org. You can also contact the locations they never visited - yet , their cards were never lost or sto-- . While the consumer is protected in the scenario bynot being held re- - sponsible for the charges, credit card fraud is an expensive problem. According to statistics recently released by the Association of Cer-. fraud Examiners, companies lose over 1400 billion a year to tilled . Trade Commission toll-fr- ee . Mothers Day Special ommendation to our nations military academics," said Bennett. Applicants must be legal Utah residents and United States citizens, at least 17 years of age but not past their 23rd birthday as of no children or other legal depenJuly 1, 2001 and unmarried with " r- dents. Fbderal at to file a consumer complaint telemarketing You've worked long and hard for your money so why let criminals ' take what is rightfully yours? By being aware of fraudulent schemes and takings few extra precautions, you can make sure that your finances are secure for a long and safe retirement lea . Sen. Bob Bennett announced last week that he is currently acecpt-in- g applications from young men and women interested in entering the U.S. Air Fbrce, Navy Merchant Marine or Army military academies in July 2001. "Each year, as I review the accomplishments of Utah students applying for nomination to the military academics, I come away Impressed with the high level of academic achievement and community Involvement exhibited by each applicant. I feel it an honor to select the finest from among these exemplary young people for rec- Most important, don't give any Financial adviser . Bennett accepting applications to attend military acadenties . May i3 & 14 12 pm to 7 pin s; . Bennett said the selection criteria will Include SATACT scores, class rank, GR, school records, teacher and counselor evaluations, extracurricular and athletic activities, leadership potentla, and motivation. Because the prooeaa can be lengthy Interested applicants should make initial inquiries well in advance of the designated Oct. 31, 2000 deadline. Bennett will conduct Interviews In December and submit nominations in January 2001. Candidates must also appfy directly to the academy or academies. Inquiry cards are available through high school counselors, academy liaison officers and from Bennetts office. Application information is available from Bennetts office, 4225 : Fbderal Building Salt Lake City UT 84138. 9.99 7.99 Prime Rib Dutch Oven Lemon Pepper Chicken s7. 99 BBQ Spare Ribs Reservation if Possible 435-381-24- 53 fraud. And its not just affectlngthe credit card industry ' So how can you help protect yourself from becomings victim of fraud?. Consider practicing several measures. Keep your credit cards safe. Report lost or stolen cards to the company immediately Oftentimes, the issuer can stop the thieves by cancdlngyour credit card. You'll also want to avoid writing your personal Identification num-- .. ber (PIN) on your credit card. That way athief wont be able to use your card for a cash withdrawal. As you can see in the scenario, a thief doesnt need your credit card to charge merchandise to your ac- . count Tb protect your credit card num- ber . Shield your credit card from people around you when making purchases at Btore registers. Tear up carbon or other copies that come with your credit card receipts. Verify your monthly billing statement and report any fraudulent transactions immediatefy Total your charge slip before signing it. Blank Bpaces are invita-- . tions forcrooks to add additional amounts. 5. Never sign a blank credit card slip. ' Fbr more. Information about credit card fraud, contact the Fbderal Trade Commission Consumer Response Center at 600 Pemuyivar The First Security IMMA Plus has ' nia Avenue N.W., Washington, D.C. You can also file an on-li. . . ne written all over it! performance 20580. com- plaint about a loss or a company's handling of it at www.ftc.govfty consumerJitm. .. Protect your identity. Identity theft happens when someone pretending to be you uses your personal information to apply for ioans or credit cards and conduct other financial transactions. By taking advantage of your good credit record, thieves can do serious damage. The best way to protect yourself is to guard your personal information by: Carefully disposingof papers like charge receipts, bank statements, credit card offers and expired credit cards. Recommended disposal methods include cutting old cards and shredding statements. An insured money market account to write home about. With an opening balance of $50,000, the First Security IMMA Phis offers: . ; ' Interest bsed on the full 5.79 APY. 91-da- y rate currently T-B- ill Convenient access at any First Security branch, ATM, and by check and your money stays liquid!. Guaranteed security of FDIC-insuranc- e. 1 - : ... : ; Free, checks and a free premium leather Being cautious with your Social checkbook cover. Security number. Give it out only when required and avoid printing it on checks or other similar documents. Not carrying your Social A Cross Medalist . with you on a daily basis. Checking your credit report annually to see if it is accurate. Watching for any onlookers whenever you enter your PIN number. The Consumer Privacy Rights Program (CALPIRG) is an consumer advocacy group ,y . perfect companion for such pen-th-e. a prestigious account. . ; V , . Unlikp other investments, the IMMA Plus wont tie your money up in the market! In fact, there are no limits to deposits or withdrawals you can make iii person at our non-pro- fit high-yiel- d branches or ATMs. . , . that offers useful fact sheets on what to do if you are a victim of identity n theft. Consider contacting the at www.piriz.org for more . . ' 1 t - ' orga-plzatio- ' ' or call . . It is also always wise to ask the caller to send you written material to stuifybefora makings purchase. ' You are in control of a transaction with a telemarketer; so dont be bullied or intimidated into buying . . a product. : ' ; ; ; The IMMA Plus is easy to open. Simply drop by any First Security branch, visit www.firstsecuritybank.com information. Dont let telemarketers hand you a line. Before you do business with telemarketers, ask for their company name and address and request acleareaqjlanatkmoftheoffertbey are making. ; . APY paid . lanca oflSOAW or greats bud ion the 91Uy ll r But hurry, this Cross Medalist .3 pen offer expires May 12, 2000! no. Foraccount hafexabdow JSOflOO, tht rt wl bethc urn u our itgukr 1 we,cuntndy 102 . APY Ail APYi ire variable - ffacaSerdemands that you make up your mind immediately or send cash today prepare for a scam. i. i V |