Most crimes are crimes of opportunity. Only you can eliminate a thief’s opportunity to steal your property, identity, and good name. Use the following tips to protect yourself against financial crimes:

• Don’t keep your PIN written down and near your credit or debit card
• Sign new credit/debit cards as soon as you get them
• Destroy old cards after expiration
• Diligently review all bank statements every month
• Never give your account information over the phone to someone you don’t know
• Never provide your PIN to anyone. Your bank or credit card company will never request it
• Make sure your credit/debit card is returned after each use
• Do not include your Social Security Number on your checks
• Do not write your credit card number on your check
• Get in the habit of inspecting to see whether any checks are missing from your checkbook or your check order
• Immediately notify your bank if a check is missing or if checks you ordered are not received
• Criminals who use scams for financial gain can be great con-artists. If a deal sounds to good to be true, it probably is
• Never allow anyone to work on your home/business until you have a signed  contract outlining the specific work to be done and a specific start and finish date
• Always get several estimates before accepting a contract for work on your home/business
• If you become a victim of financial crime, immediately contact your bank, the Fairfax County Police Department, and the three major Credit Reporting Agencies