1-7-20 wi better business bureau new year’s resolutions

The Better Business Bureau serving Wisconsin is offering New Year’s resolutions to help you avoid scams, prevent identity theft and generally be a smarter consumer in 2020.   The Bureau’s  Susan Bach says first on the list is implementing a credit freeze.   Use technology to block robocalls and other telemarketing calls, and review your permissions and privacy settings on  social media.  Bach says you can warn others and stop fraudsters by reporting scams to the BBB’s Scamtracker. Check out businesses and charities by doing a little research to make sure you are working with a  reputable company,  use secure payment methods, use a unique and  complex password for online accounts and enable multi-factor authentication whenever available.   Bach says its always important to monitor your existing financial accounts.  Finally, file your taxes early.  One common fraud during tax season involves identity theft.     Scammers try to submit a return in your name and have your refund come to them.