Here are 10 ways to protect your credit and your identity, courtesy of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau and other sources:

1. Check your credit reports. You can order a free credit report from the major bureaus through annualcreditreport.com. These show your personal identifying info and your credit accounts and loans. If anything looks incorrect, contact the reporting bureau right away.

2. Use strong, complex passwords to protect your online activity. Never use the same password on all your accounts.

3. Update the password on your home internet router periodically.

4. Never answer phone calls or texts from numbers you do not recognize.

5. If you answer an unknown caller, do not confirm your identity with the caller. Instead, ask them, “Who is calling?” If you do not recognize the person and/or company, hang up! They could be trying to record your voice to impersonate you for account access.

6. Check your credit card and bank statements thoroughly. Thieves may test access to an account with small transactions. If you don’t recognize a transaction, investigate it, no matter the amount.

7. Avoid inserting your credit or debit card into a card reader whenever possible, especially at gas station pumps and self-checkouts. Use the touchless option and “wave” your card over the reader.

8. If you receive a text or call claiming to be from law enforcement, or any government agency or legal department, it is a scam. Use the “block” option on your phone to prevent additional attempts.

9. Never use a public wi-fi connection to check your bank account balance or to conduct online shopping.

10. Never respond to an email, text, or social media message asking you for money. Emails and texts can be spoofed, and social media accounts can be impersonated and hacked.

This is not a comprehensive list, but you get the idea! Thieves often capitalize on complacency. Paying attention to your communication and to your account activity is worth the effort.

As Exclusive Buyer’s Brokers, we serve your best interests at all times! Unlike real estate agents and brokerages who represent sellers, as an Exclusive Buyer’s Broker, we only represent you, the buyer, getting you the best price and terms with no conflict of interest at all times.

Understanding this distinction could literally save you thousands of dollars not only on the purchase price and terms, but also on seller concessions and home inspection issues, whether you are a first-time homebuyer or an experienced homeowner!

Contact us with your home buying questions! Remember, we are with you every step of the way…all the way home!

Andrew Show
Exclusive Buyer’s Broker, CEBA-M, MCNE, CSP, PSA,e-PRO, CREM, ABRM, AHWD
Buyer’s Resource Realty Services www.BuyersHome.com
Serving Metro Columbus, Ohio with Exclusive Buyer’s Agents
7100 North High Street, Suite 204, Worthington, Ohio 43085
614-888-4110 | 888-888-4110 Toll Free | 614-839-4110 Fax

The post 10 Credit Protection Tips for Columbus Area Home Buyers appeared first on Columbus Ohio Real Estate | Buyer's Resource Realty Services.

Financial data theft can occur anytime, but the weeks around the holidays are the prime target. This is because consumer spending activity peaks this time of year, and people are less likely to screen their billing statements due to the volume of transactions. Data thieves take advantage of this fact.  They also know that small, numerous transactions are less likely to be questioned by consumers and card issuers.

Protecting yourself against credit card fraud is especially important if you are buying a Columbus home in the future! Here are 10 tips to help you!

1. Obtain transaction receipts. Businesses may treat your receipt as “optional” and only provide one if you ask. Be sure to ask for it!

2. Monitor your account activity online. Do this daily, or as frequently as possible. Compare your receipts to the account record.

3. If you do not recognize a transaction on your account, question it with the card provider and/or issuing bank. Don’t shrug off small transactions.

4. If you suspect that your credit or debit card data has been compromised – even if you do not see “proof” yet – don’t wait for a problem to show up. Ask your financial institution for a replacement card, and/or open a new bank account. The peace of mind could be well worth the minor hassle.

5. Do not carry all your credit and debit cards along with you. Lock away infrequently used cards.

6. When handing your credit or debit card to a merchant or server, keep an eye on it. Card data can be easily photographed with a smartphone.

7. Never lend your credit or debit card to someone. They may not be as careful with your card as you would be.

8. When signing the merchant copy of a transaction slip, do not leave any blank lines in the tip area.  If you are not tipping, strike a line through this area. Do not fill in with zero.  Always makes sure the total is accurate before signing the slip.

9. Card skimmers that intercept data are sometimes found on gas station pumps. If you are using a debit card, run it as a credit instead, so that your PIN number isn’t at risk. Better yet – pay inside, and use the credit option.

10. Keep up to date with fraud protection tips by visiting the Central Ohio Better Business Bureau and the Federal Trade Commission Consumer Information website.

We hope these tips are helpful to you! When you are ready to buy a home, you can trust us to protect your interests. As your Exclusive Buyer’s Broker, we take the time to educate and inform our clients about the home buying process.

You can help yourself to valuable information right now! Download our FREE e-book, “How to Buy a Home Like a Pro!”

Contact us for help with your home buying questions! Remember, we are with you every step of the way…all the way home!

Andrew Show
Broker, CEBA, CEBA-M, CNE, CSP, ABR-M, e-PRO, GREEN
Buyer’s Resource Realty Services
Serving Metro Columbus, Ohio with Exclusive Buyer’s Agents
7100 North High Street, Suite 204, Worthington, Ohio 43085
614-888-4110 | 888-888-4110 Toll Free | 614-839-4110 Fax

The post 10 Credit Protection Tips for Columbus Consumers appeared first on Columbus Ohio Real Estate | Buyer's Resource Realty Services.