Dear Friends: The Oregon Department Oregon Department of Justice Every year, thieves of Justice Can Help Financial Fraud/Consumer and con artists Protection Section cheat thousands of Contact the Oregon Department of Oregonians out of Justice online at oregonconsumer.gov, by their hard-earned phone at 1-877-877-9392, or by email at Top Ten Consumer Tips money and valuable [email protected] to: to Protect You and personal information. 1. Learn how to protect yourself from Your Family I need your help to stop the fraud scams and fraud. before it starts and alert others so they can avoid becoming victims. 2. Request written materials be mailed to you. This brochure was created in the 3. Ask a question about a business or hope that it will become a quick- learn how to file a complaint against reference guide to encourage you, one. your family, and your friends to be savvy consumers. 4. Sign up for the Scam Alert Network. 5. Search Be InfORmed, a database of These tips should help you make consumer complaints. wise consumer decisions and protect yourself, your family, 6. Ask a speaker to present at your your money, and your personal next meeting. information.

Please share them with family, Los recursos también están disponibles en español. neighbors, and friends across the state, to help them become smarter Attorney General Ellen Rosenblum consumers as well. Consumer Hotline: 1-877-877-9392 Thank you, Website: oregonconsumer.gov Email: [email protected] Twitter: @oregonscamalert Ellen F. Rosenblum Attorney General Top Ten Consumer Tips to Protect You and Your Family 1. Become educated. Informed address and phone number in case Remember, if it sounds too good consumers are smart consumers. Visit you have questions or problems. to be true, it probably is. oregonconsumer.gov to learn more 5. Reduce telemarketing calls. The about consumer protection in general, National Do Not Call Registry allows 7. Order your free annual credit and visit onguardonline.gov to learn how you to block most telemarketers, who report. Visit annualcreditreport.com to be safe, secure and responsible online. should not call your number once it or call 1-877-322-8228 to order a free 2. Join the Scam Alert Network. Sign has been on the registry for 31 days. credit report and review it for errors. up online at oregonconsumer.gov to If they do, you can file a complaint 8. Read the fine print. Read be notified of new scams, fraud and with the Federal Trade Commission. contracts in full and make sure you other consumer threats. Register online at donotcall.gov or call understand the terms before you 1-888-382-1222 from the number you 3. Reduce junk mail. Call 1-888- sign. Be suspicious of promises made want to register. 567-8688 or register online at by salespersons that differ from the optoutprescreen.com to reduce 6. Understand that wiring money is written terms and make sure you offers of credit and insurance. You can like sending cash. Con artists often get a copy of the signed contract for also opt out of receiving unsolicited insist that people wire money, especially your files. mail from many other companies by overseas, because it’s nearly impossible 9. Sleep on it. Sales pitches that offer registering with the Mail Preference to reverse the transaction or trace the discounts if you “sign now” are often Service online at dmachoice.org and money. Do not wire money to: scams. Legitimate businesses will paying $1. • Someone who claims he or she usually give you the same deal later. 4. Check out the business before you wants to hire you. 10. Report fraud. If you think you buy. Call the Oregon Department of • Sellers who insist on wire transfers have been a victim of fraud, call Justice at 1-877-877-9392 or search for payment. the Oregon Department of Justice Be InfORmed, an online database • Someone who claims to be a at 1-877-877-9392 and request a at oregonconsumer.gov, to research relative or friend in trouble and complaint form be mailed to you or complaints and resolutions. You should wants to keep it a secret from visit tinyurl.com/ORcomplaintform also confirm the business’s physical the family. to file a complaint online.

Contact the Oregon Department of Justice with questions or concerns about the following:

Automobile sales Credit/debit Home repair Retail sales Services Internet sales Fraud Real Estate Telemarketing Home solicitations