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Business Bulletin: How to avoid consumer fraud in the new year

In this Monday, June 19, 2017, photo, a person types on a laptop keyboard, in North Andover, Mass. The American workplace is grueling, stressful and surprisingly hostile. So finds an in-depth study of 3,066 U.S. workers, released Monday, Aug. 14, 2017, by the Rand Corp., Harvard Medical School and the University of California, Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Elise Amendola)
In this Monday, June 19, 2017, photo, a person types on a laptop keyboard, in North Andover, Mass. The American workplace is grueling, stressful and surprisingly hostile. So finds an in-depth study of 3,066 U.S. workers, released Monday, Aug. 14, 2017, by the Rand Corp., Harvard Medical School and the University of California, Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Elise Amendola) In this Monday, June 19, 2017, photo, a person types on a laptop keyboard, in North Andover, Mass. The American workplace is grueling, stressful and surprisingly hostile. So finds an in-depth study of 3,066 U.S. workers, released Monday, Aug. 14, 2017, by the Rand Corp., Harvard Medical School and the University of California, Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Elise Amendola)

By Jim Winsett 3 min read

Q. We continue to hear of data breach issues. I want to manage my privacy and financial security in 2019. What suggestions may BBB offer?

A. The start of a New Year brings the opportunity for a fresh start and new ways of doing things. It’s also the perfect time to resolve to get a firm handle on your personal and financial information. Better Business Bureau serving Southeast Tennessee and Northwest Georgia offers some simple tips to help consumers protect themselves from fraud in the New Year.

We complement you on taking proactive steps to protect yourself. There is no way to shield yourself completely from fraud, but you can certainly take steps to reduce your risk.

BBB recommends consumers take these ten steps to be more secure in 2019:

1. Check your credit report for free at AnnualCreditReport.com. Review it closely for errors and report any inconsistencies you see. Checking your credit report on a regular basis helps you catch signs of identity theft early.