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3 Ways Millennials Can Avoid Financial Fraud

Emily Guy Birken — Wed, 25 Apr 2018 08:30:10 +0000

We tend to think of financial fraud as a retiree problem. After all, older adults are more likely to be sitting on a large nest egg and are often resistant to getting financial help from others for fear of losing independence. Both of those traits make them tempting targets for scammers and con artists.

However, just because scammers traditionally like to hit up Nana and Poppy does not mean that young adults are shielded from the problem. In fact, according to a recently released Federal Trade Commission study, more adults aged 20–29 reported losing money to financial scams in 2017 than did any other age group. The study found that 40 percent of adults in their 20s lost money to fraud, as compared to only 18 percent of people over the age of 70 — although the median amount lost was lower among 20-somethings than among the elderly.

We've done a great job of helping to alert older adults to the dangers of financial fraud. Now we need to make sure everyone else also knows what they need to do to steer clear of scams. Here is what you need to know about protecting yourself from financial fraud.

The most common types of fraud

Of the types of fraud reported to the FTC, the three most common scams were debt collection (23 percent), identity theft (14 percent), and impostor scams wherein the scammer pretends to be either a government official, a loved one in trouble, or someone else the victim knows (13 percent).

Although debt collection was the issue most commonly reported to the FTC, impostor scams were the type of fraud that cost victims the most money. Consumers reportedly lost $328 million total in 2017 to this type of scam.

Each of these types of fraud requires a different protection strategy, and savvy consumers should use all of these approaches to make sure they are covered in case of any type of fraud.

1. Know your debt collection rights

Getting a phone call from a debt collector can be nerve-wracking for anyone, and debt collection scams rely on your natural fear of financial consequences. The best way to avoid becoming a victim of such a scam is to know your rights as a borrower. According to the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, any debt collector who contacts with a claim that you owe payment is required by law to tell you the following information:

The name of the creditor.
The amount you owe.
The fact that you can dispute the debt.
The fact that you can request the name and address of the original creditor if it is different from the current creditor.

If a debt collector doesn't provide this information when first contacting you, he or she is required to send you written notice that includes this information within five days of that initial contact.

It is a red flag if you receive a call from a debt collector who balks at providing you with this information. In addition, while debt collectors have the right to be persistent and can tell you the potential consequences of failing to pay your debt, intimidation tactics to get you to pay what they claim you owe are also a common scheme from con artists.

You also have the right to refuse to discuss any debt until you receive a written validation notice from the creditor, which must include the amount of the debt, the name of the creditor, and a description of your rights under the federal Fair Debt Collection Practices Act.

Asking for this notice will protect your rights with legitimate debt collectors and scare off any scam artists who are trying to make a buck off your fear. (See also: 5 Things Debt Collectors Don't Want You to Know)

2. Freeze your credit to protect yourself from identity theft

Identity theft is the 21st Century boogeyman, and for good reason. Our information is only as secure as the company that has collected it. No product or service can wholly protect you from the possibility of someone using your identity.

However, you can make it more difficult for hackers and scammers to get hold of your identity by freezing your credit. With this process, you pay a small fee to each credit reporting bureau (which has been waived by Equifax in the wake of their recent data breach), and no one, including you, can open new credit in your name until the freeze is lifted.

This is one of the most effective tools in fighting identity theft, since you take out the possibility of human error. The most common method identity thieves use to steal your information is by calling and asking you. Such a thief will pretend to be from your bank or another institution you trust and will request things like your Social Security number and birth date. Even if you fall victim to this kind of fishing scam, a credit freeze can ensure that the thief is unable to live large on your credit. (See also: 9 Signs Your Identity Was Stolen)

3. Ask for specifics to prevent impostors from getting your money

Impostor scams come in two common varieties: impostors pretending to call from the IRS or another government or official agency, and impostors pretending to be a loved one who is in trouble. In both cases, the impostor will play on your emotions — fear of an audit, fear for a loved one — to get you to wire money to their account.

In both cases, the more specific information you can ask for, the better your chance of scaring off the impostor. For instance, if you are contacted by someone claiming to be an IRS agent, you can request the caller's name, badge number, and callback number and say you will get back to him or her. Then, you can contact the U.S. Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration (TIGTA) at 1-800-366-4484 to find out if your caller is an actual IRS employee who has a legitimate reason for contacting you. (See also: 5 Tax Scams You Should Know About for 2018)

You can use this same strategy for any caller who claims to be a representative from an institution or agency you deal with. If someone calls claiming to be from your bank, ask him or her for a name and callback number, and get in touch with your bank via their main phone number to determine if the issue is legitimate.

Similarly, the loved one impostor scam can be stopped in its tracks by asking the caller (or emailer) to verify certain information that only your relative would know. If you are still feeling unsure, ask for a callback number in this case, too, and contact another family member to find out if there is any possibility your cousin Emma is stuck in a hospital in London before you start wiring money. (See also: What to Do When You Suspect a Scam)

Keep their hands off your money

Scammers, con artists, and identity thieves all have your number. Every single one of us can be vulnerable to their tactics. But knowing your rights, taking your credit out of circulation, and asking for specific details can help you keep your information and your money secure.

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This article is from Emily Guy Birken of Wise Bread, an award-winning personal finance and credit card comparison website. Read more great articles from Wise Bread:

5 Tax Scams You Should Know About for 2018

Kat Tretina — Tue, 30 Jan 2018 09:00:05 +0000

Tax season is underway. While no one really enjoys doing their taxes, everyone looks forward to getting a tax refund. It's no wonder why. According to the IRS, over 80 percent of tax returns resulted in a refund for tax year 2015. And the average refund was a whopping $3,120.

However, all that money makes tax season one of the busiest times of the year for scam artists. Each year, criminals target taxpayers to steal their personal information or their tax refunds.

Most scammers prey on vulnerable populations, such as the elderly or first-time tax filers, but anyone can be at risk. These are the top tax scams you should be aware of in 2018. (See also: Beware These 6 Phony IRS Calls and Emails)

1. Threatening phone calls

A common tax scam involves aggressive phone calls. You'll receive a call — sometimes from a number that shows up on caller ID as from a Washington D.C. area code— and the person on the line will claim to be a representative of the IRS.

They can be very convincing. They may know your full name, your mother's maiden name, and even the last few digits of your Social Security Number.

That person will say you're behind on your taxes or filed a fraudulent return. They may threaten you with immediate arrest, going so far as to say police are on their way to your home. They'll say the only way to avoid jail is by making an immediate payment with a credit card over the phone.

Know that the IRS does not communicate over the phone and does not threaten taxpayers with jail time. If there is a problem with your return, or if you do owe money, you will receive a notification in the mail. If you receive these calls, hang up right away.

2. Information phishing

Similarly, you may receive calls or emails from so-called IRS representatives or tax preparation software companies. They may claim that there's a problem with your return or refund and that they need to verify your information to fix the issue. They'll ask for personal information like your Social Security number, birth date, and place of employment. Then, they use that information to file a fraudulent return in your name to claim your refund.

Remember, the IRS will only send you information through the mail. If you're unsure if an email is real, open up a new browser window and log into your account that way, or look up your tax preparer's phone number and call that person directly.

3. Requests for gift card payments

Another scam involves a call from an IRS impostor who claims that your return notification letter was returned as undeliverable. That person will tell you your bill is overdue and that you must make a payment immediately.

Instead of asking for your credit card or personal information, they'll ask you to send them a prepaid gift card or debit card. Know that the IRS does not accept payments in this format.

4. Identity theft

Identity theft is a serious issue. You may think that canceling and replacing your credit cards is all you need to do, but the problem can be much more involved than you think. Thieves can use your personal information to submit a fraudulent tax return and collect your refund.

If you went through any form of identity theft, or if your personal information was stolen, it's a good idea to place a fraud alert on your credit reports and notify the IRS. If you suspect tax-related identity theft — for example, when you try to file your return you get a notice that your return has already been filed — you'll need to fill out IRS Form 14039, Identity Theft Affidavit, and follow the mailing instructions on the form.

Moreover, it's a good idea to complete and submit your tax return as soon as possible to ensure thieves cannot submit a return in your name. (See also: 8 Reasons You Should File Your Taxes as Soon as Possible)

5. Tax preparer fraud

Fraudulent tax prep "professionals" often advertise their ability to get you the largest refund possible. They do this by falsifying information on your return, such as adding nonexistent dependents, claiming credits or deductions you don't qualify for, and reporting incorrect income. They'll also typically base their rates off a percentage of your refund.

The IRS encourages you to ask your tax preparer questions about anything suspicious or confusing, and to look into their credentials and certifications before agreeing to hand over your return. All legitimate tax preparers should have a PTIN (preparer tax identification number).

It's important to carefully vet your tax professional and to closely look over any forms before signing. Regardless of whether you've been scammed or not, you will still be on the hook for any fraudulent information reported on your return.

Verifying any IRS activity

Some scam artists can be very convincing. If you're not sure whether it's a con or not, hang up or close your email. Call the IRS directly at 1-800-829-1040. You'll be connected with a real representative who can review your account and let you know if there's anything they need from you. They can also help you report any fraudulent activity or scams.

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This article is from Kat Tretina of Wise Bread, an award-winning personal finance and credit card comparison website. Read more great articles from Wise Bread:

10 Ways to Keep Your Private Info Private

Carrie Kirby — Thu, 02 Mar 2017 11:00:09 +0000

In a world where so many of us share everything from the birth of a child to our weight loss goals on social media, privacy might seem like a moot point. But the reality is, growing identity theft threats make safeguarding personal details more important than ever.

The good news is, there are simple things you can do to keep yourself safe. It is just about paying attention to where your personal information could leak out, and plugging the holes. (See also: Your Credit Card May Be Sharing Your Private Info)

1. Destroy Unneeded Paper Documents

Any junk mail that contains a credit offer. Old documents with your signature, Social Security number, date of birth, or other identifying details. Old tax returns. Convenience checks from credit cards. These are some of the most sensitive items that you should never dispose of without shredding. Buy a crosscut shredder or take your documents to a business shredder to destroy, or burn the paper in your fireplace.

2. Safeguard Your Mail

The U.S. Post Office recommends that you pick up your mail promptly after delivery and always put the mail on hold if you go out of town. Some folks take it a step further by investing in a locking mailbox or renting a post office box away from their residence. Remember to protect outgoing mail as well, by dropping it into a secure mailbox or handing it to the carrier, instead of leaving it out for the carrier to pick up.

3. Be Wary of Online Forms

You may be asked for your name, email address, home address, phone number, date of birth, and other personal information many times a day on the Internet. And often, it's legitimate to share that information — for instance, when signing up for a food delivery service. But when asked for personal details, ask yourself who's behind the request — a reputable brand, or a company you've never heard of? Is the sign-up really necessary?

4. Don't Overshare on Social Media

First of all, know who you're sharing with when you post something on social media. On Facebook, you can choose to share a post with the public, with all your friends, or only a subgroup of friends. Personally, I don't know all the people I've accepted friend requests from very well. So most of the things I post — especially potentially compromising information such as an upcoming surgery or vacation — are only shared with a select group of close friends and relatives.

Second, there are some things you don't want to share with anyone — not even relatives. Hundreds of thousands of people each year have their IDs stolen by someone they know. Never post a photo of personal documents, like a new passport or even a kid's report card. Beware of documents that may be visible in the background of snapshots, like that tax form stuck to your fridge with a magnet.

5. Conduct Periodic Audits of Your Online Info

This sounds complicated, but it's actually easy. First, Google your full name. Look yourself up on "people search" websites, especially FamilyTreeNow, which allows people to search for personal data without paying or signing up for an account. A lot of the info you will find on these sites are public records, but that doesn't mean you want to make it easy for potential data thieves to aggregate all public info about you for free. Opt out of all such sites, which may take some time clicking around, but is worth it.

6. Be Suspicious of Everyone Who Handles Your Information

Your children's school and your doctor's office probably aren't out to rob you, so you might feel comfortable sharing any information they ask for. Here's the thing, though: Do you know if they're storing those documents securely or disposing of them properly when no longer needed? (See also: 7 Simple Ways to Protect Yourself From Medical Records Theft)

One way to limit your exposure to this risk is to give as little information as possible. Yes, every school form might ask for your child's medical insurance ID, but is it really necessary? At the doctor's office, decline to write your Social Security number on paperwork. They don't need it on every piece of paper in your file.

Another way to limit your exposure is to ask staff how papers are handled and secured, and to push for better safety in the likely event that there's room for improvement.

7. Keep Your Computer Clean

Logging onto bank, mortgage, and credit accounts to pay bills, check balances, and transfer money is incredibly convenient. It can also be incredibly dangerous if you do it on a compromised computer. Be wary of what you click, whether it's an app you download or a link or attachment in email, because if your computer gets a virus, it could do more than slow it down. Hackers can use such Trojan horses to slip a keystroke logging program onto your computer, recording everything you type, including usernames and passwords. Never log onto banking and other sensitive sites using public Wi-Fi connections.

Besides avoiding clicking dodgy links and regularly scanning your computer for malware, you can safeguard your online banking data by regularly changing your passwords, and by making your passwords really hard to guess.

8. Limit What You Carry Around With You

Stealing your purse or wallet is another way thieves can get ahold of your private information. Don't carry anything more than you need — one or two credit cards and your driver's license should do. Leave your Social Security card at home. (See also: 5 Things to Never Keep in Your Wallet)

9. Opt Out of Junk Mail

You can sign up to stop credit and insurance companies from sending you preapproved offers, which could be used to take out accounts in your name. (See also: How to Remove Yourself From Mailing Lists and Eliminate Junk Mail)

10. Don't Get Caught by a Phisher

Beware of impostors asking for your bank password or other information. You may already know that if you get an alarming email purportedly from your bank, you can go straight to your bank website and log on, or call them, instead of clicking the link.

But increasingly, phishers are reaching victims by phone as well. So many people have been tricked into installing malicious software or giving up credit card numbers by fake "Microsoft tech support" calls that Microsoft set up a page warning the public about them. The Internal Revenue Service has set up a similar warning about criminals who call posing as IRS agents and ask for money or personal data. (See also: Beware These 6 Phony IRS Calls and Emails)

This article is from Carrie Kirby of Wise Bread, an award-winning personal finance and credit card comparison website. Read more great articles from Wise Bread:

Beware These 6 Phony IRS Calls and Emails

Paul Michael — Wed, 25 Jan 2017 11:00:08 +0000

Most people aren't really thinking of filing taxes just yet, but they are starting to collect the information needed to file by the April deadline. That means the scammers are out in force again, ready to trick millions into submitting personal information, or to make payments that will go into the pockets of thieves.

These six scams are the biggest offenders, and once again, they'll be used widely this year. Watch out for them.

1. The "You've Got a Refund" Email

Who doesn't love getting money back from the IRS? When you get this one in your inbox, you could certainly be fooled into thinking it's legitimate. Unlike many of the phishing emails, it appears to have decent grammar, it's well formatted, and it has something of an official look to it. What's more, the refund isn't huge. If it had stated you were getting many thousands back, you may pause for thought. But a small sum, under $100, is less likely to trigger alarm bells. It all seems legit. But, it's not. And by clicking the link in the email, you are going to a fraudulent site designed to collect personal and banking information.

As the IRS clearly states on its website, it will never initiate contact with taxpayers over email, text messages, or social media channels. The main contact is snail mail, and while you may get actual calls, they will be easy to verify (more on that later).

Do not look at the "from" email address, either. These can be simulated to look like they have come from an official agency. Look at the link address in the email; this will definitely be going to a site that tries to look official, but isn't, such as www.irs-gov.com/refund. The bottom line: Any kind of "you've got a refund" email from the IRS is a scam, and should be reported to them immediately.

2. The "The Bill Was Lost in the Mail" Call

If you receive a call from the IRS saying you owe money, it's a scam. That's just a hard fact. The IRS clearly states on its website that it will never call you if you owe taxes, without first sending you a bill in the mail. Of course, thieves are getting wise to this being common knowledge, and are now saying that the bill must have gotten lost in the mail.

At this point, you may well be put into a world of self-doubt; and that's when the scammer jumps on the opportunity. They hear the hesitation in your voice, and start alarming you. They will say that as the bill has been long overdue, you are now in serious trouble. You have to pay the back taxes immediately or risk going to jail. It's at this point that many people become so scared that they pay up. This is all a con, and you can easily verify this.

For starters, a real IRS agent will not ask for money over the phone. If this is the request, hang up. They also will not threaten you with arrest or deportation. You can also ask for their IRS badge number and call back number. The scammer will hang up on you.

3. The "Affordable Care Act" Email

One of the downsides of the Affordable Care Act is that it is still quite new, and therefore, has many unknowns. There is even a page on the IRS website dedicated to the intricacies surrounding the new health care law; and that is perfect fodder for a scammer. Where there is doubt, there is a chance to profit.

The scam will come as an email (and in some rare cases, a letter) alerting you to something called a CP2000 notice. It's worth noting that this is, in fact, a real type of notice. But in this case, it's completely fake. The big giveaway is that it is issued from an Austin, Texas address, with a phony payment voucher number called a 105C.

The scam uses language designed to scare you into paying the bill, and here's another huge red flag — the check should be made payable to "I.R.S." at an Austin Processing Center address. If you receive anything like this via email, forward it to the IRS. They are currently investigating this nasty scam.

4. The "Please Verify Your Tax Information" Call

Not all IRS scams are designed for immediate profit. This one is designed to harvest your personal information, which can then be used for identity theft, or to actually grab a refund owed to you before you even claim it. In 2013, the IRS paid out over $5.8 billion in stolen tax refunds, and the problem is not going away.

As the scammer is not asking you to pay a bill, it can feel much less threatening. The fake agent will be very polite, and will say that the IRS needs to verify some information on a tax return you previously filed. They may even have some personal information that makes it sound like they have your file right there in front of them. But, the information they really want, like your SSN or bank details, will not be available.

Questions will start out simple: "I have your name as John S. Doe, could you spell that please?" But this will quickly lead to "And could you verify your social security number for me?" At this point, the scammer won't have anything to work with, and is hoping you simply parrot back the response.

Remember, the IRS will not call you asking for this kind of information. If you do have an issue with a former return, you will get an official notice in the mail, asking for the information to be verified. And if you doubt that, call the IRS directly.

5. The "IRS Taxpayer Advocate" Email

In 2014, the IRS warned of a new scam that was designed to solicit personal information, leading to identity theft and stolen tax refunds. This is known as the "IRS Taxpayer Advocate Service," and comes complete with a legitimate-looking case number, and language designed to grab sensitive personal and financial information.

The email, which comes with a "from" address designed to look real, tells you that a former tax return you filed was flagged for review due to a document processing error. Once again, you will always be notified of any problems like this via regular mail, not email.

The email will then say that you must click on a link to submit the missing or erroneous information, which will expedite the filing of the return to avoid any fees or charges. Of course, that link leads to a page hosted by the scammer, designed to collect and abuse your information.

6. The "Federal Student Tax" Call

A new tax scam surfaced last year, and it sadly tricked a few unsuspecting people into handing over iTunes gift cards, W-2 information, or tax return data. If that sounds a bit obvious, it's all done in a way that makes it feel legitimate.

The scammer will call a student and tell them that they owe "Federal Student Tax," which must be paid immediately. There's no such thing as the Federal Student Tax. It's a complete fabrication.

However, the scammers have become much more sophisticated. For example, they are using caller ID spoofing to make the call look like it is coming from an official government line. Plus, information made available on the dark web can give them all sorts of information about the student's background. Together with a very professional sounding "agent," this can all work to convince the student the tax must be paid. And often, they request the money in the form of gift cards, which is another huge red flag. Again, the IRS won't call and ask for money. If this is happening to you, or someone you know, tell them to hang up and report the incident to the IRS.

This article is from Paul Michael of Wise Bread, an award-winning personal finance and credit card comparison website. Read more great articles from Wise Bread:

9 Things You Can Do Online Besides Watch Cat GIFs

Andrea Cannon — Thu, 19 Jan 2017 10:30:32 +0000

On the rare occasion that you have some free time, there are a variety of productive, frugal ways to browse the Internet — other than watching an endless stream of cat videos on YouTube. By taking advantage of your free time and getting the most out of your browsing, you can improve your life and achieve your goals more quickly. You can even save time and earn money along the way. Here are a few ways to wisely use your web time.

1. Review Your Finances

Check your online statements to balance your bank accounts and credit cards. This will help ensure that your budget is on track for the month. While you're at it, you can also pay your bills and check in on your investments. (See also: 5 Tricks to Consolidating Your Debt and Saving Money)

2. Organize Your Computer

Organize the files on your computer so that you can be more productive at work. You can also run computer cleaners to clear away junk files, free up space, and even increase computer speed. (See also: Make Your Computer Last (Almost) Forever With Some Simple Tricks)

3. Take a Class

Online classes span an endless range of subjects. They can help you learn a new skill or explore a new hobby. You can even study for a certification in your field to advance your career and help you seek new employment. (See also: 7 Certifications That Add Big to Your Salary)

Whether you want to learn something new or would like to improve your craft, anything can be accomplished with online courses. If you don't want to sign up for a course, consider finding an e-book that highlights your new skills. (See also: 7 Things You Must Know Before Taking an Online Class)

4. Learn to Code

Not everybody can master coding, but if it's something that interests you, there are endless free resources to get you started. Spend some time on sites like Codecademy during your free time if you'd like to build a website or learn to decipher code.

5. Learn a Language

Learn a new language with sites like Duolingo, which is free to use. Best of all, you'll feel like you're playing a game while you learn a new language. (See also: You Can Learn a New Language)

6. Learn to Speed Read

You can learn to speed read using free online apps like Spreeder. This can save you time, help you read faster, and increase your productivity. (See also: 17 Cool Jobs for Book Lovers)

7. Network

Spend some time fixing up your LinkedIn page and reach out to colleagues and contacts. This can improve your working relationships and help you find a new job when you need one. (See also: 30 Minutes to a LinkedIn Profile That Gets You Hired)

8. Write

Whether you are interested in writing articles, have a knack for poetry, or have considered starting your own blog, use your free time online to pursue your passion for prose. Best of all, you can even make some money in the process. (See also: 22 Websites That Will Pay You to Write for Them)

9. Play Games and Watch Videos for Cash

While playing games on your computer might not seem productive, you can actually make money while doing so. Sites like Swagbucks will give you points for playing games, watching videos, answering surveys, shopping online, and searching the Internet. You can later trade in your points for cash or gift cards. (See also: What Pays More: Online Surveys or the Gig Economy?)

This article is from Andrea Cannon of Wise Bread, an award-winning personal finance and credit card comparison website. Read more great articles from Wise Bread:

9 Personal Things You Should Never Text or Email

Mikey Rox — Thu, 05 Jan 2017 10:30:26 +0000

Rule #1 of email and text etiquette? Don't send anything that you wouldn't post publicly for the world to see. If your messages are even the slightest bit questionable, aggressive, provocative, or sexy, they will make it to someone else other than the intended recipient. And when the narrative is out of your hands, you have no way to control it — which could result in unexpected consequences.

Avoid certain disasters by minding these nine things you should never text or email. (See also: 13 Embarrassing Mistakes Everyone Makes But Doesn't Talk About)

1. Anger Toward Your Partner

My soon-to-be ex-husband and I are on good terms now, but for a few years leading up to our separation, it was tough getting along with one another. One of the contributing factors to us never being on the same page was that we were always fighting via text or email. He preferred it because he said he couldn't get a word in edgewise if we had a verbal argument (which I don't disagree with), but texting and emailing our issues to one another only seemed to exacerbate our problems. Our "tones" were often taken out of context when written, and we weren't handling our marriage like adults. As such, avoid making the same mistakes that I did with your partner.

Also keep in mind that "anything you say can and will be used against you in the court of law." While our marriage is ending amicably, not all relationships do — and if there's a paper trail of indecency toward one another, it can certainly be used as evidence against you.

2. A Relationship Break-Up

Listen, if you've been in a relationship with someone for more than a few weeks, especially if you've consummated that relationship, you owe it to the other individual to break it off in person. It's common decency. Personally, I'd rather get dumped over coffee than wake up to a text message that says, "It's over." Because then I'll be like, "The hell it is," and show up at your office a few hours later with a rabbit in a pot.

3. Firing an Employee

Firing an employee is just like a breakup, and it should be handled with the same amount of sensitivity. Sending a text or email to tell someone they're fired is cowardly and disrespectful, no matter how old they are or what length of time they've spent at the company. Call the employee into your office, tell them point-blank that they're being let go, provide reasons for the dismissal, and discuss the professional uncoupling procedure.

This also provides you an opportunity to manage the removal of the employee's personal property, whereas telling them by text or email will give them plenty of time to pilfer company information since they'll still need to physically come back to the office to claim their belongings. Things can go off the rails very quickly in these situations, which plenty of corporate security guards can attest to.

4. Your Nude Photos

Listen, you're an adult and you can do what you want, but you can't start boo-hooing when your boss or your mother discovers the nude pics and videos you've been sending to strangers on Tinder. Not everyone out there is a nice person — and the sooner you recognize that, the less apt you'll be to put all your goodies on the Internet.

If you want to engage in this type of activity, at least do it with someone you trust. Otherwise, keep identifying physical aspects of yourself out of the shots, including your face and tattoos. I'm doling out this advice as someone with experience in how awry these heat-of-the-moment decisions can go... and it won't end the way you want it to.

5. Personal and Financial Information

If someone asks for your Social Security number or credit card information via text or email — even if you trust them implicitly — politely decline. If you send the information over unencrypted or unsecure networks, hackers and identity thieves may snatch it. Instead, pick up the phone to have the recipient of the information manually take it down. Ask that they destroy the evidence in many pieces afterward, too.

6. Messages That Make You Look Illiterate

Sometimes I read emails from professional people with high-paying jobs and I think to myself, how did you graduate high school? You know what I'm talking about. There's this scourge of society who can't compose a proper sentence or place punctuation appropriately. Some people write a whole paragraph with nary a comma or period. Drives me crazy, and it makes me question their literacy.

Home-school mom and counselor Nicole Dean is on my side.

"Sending incomplete emails or emails that are not proofread is the worst — especially to potential employers or professional/business contacts," she says. "When composing an email to a professional or when composing an angry email (complaining about something, offering criticism), do not put in the person's email address until you have typed the entire email. Then, read through the whole email. I also find it helpful, as a habit, to attach any files to the mail before writing the text. Never reply all. If you have several email addresses, always check which one you are using before you start typing. Some people have sent mass replies or single emails using a second or third 'throwaway' email address that is either unprofessional or inappropriate."

7. Apologies and Confessions

Apologize in person for whatever you did wrong. Likewise, if you have something to confess, sit down, tell the truth, and move on with your life.

"Whatever bad thing you did to warrant a heartfelt apology or remorseful confession requires more than just a 146 character, black-and-white response," adds author Mark Babbitt, founder of a social resource for young professionals. "Sure, it's easier to deliver bad news while hiding behind your device, but this is the time to be a real human being — which means an abundant amount of eye contact, positive body language, and a reassuring touch."

Unless they don't want your grubby hands touching them anymore. Keep your devil-paws to yourself if that's the case.

8. Inappropriate Questions

If a question seems invasive, awkward, or weird, and you're having second thoughts about whether or not you should send a message containing that question, don't do it. Trust your gut. It usually does a good job of letting you know when you're about to act foolish.

9. Resumes From Your Work Email

Let me break this down for you right quick: If you send your resume to a potential employer from your current employer's email, you deserve to be fired. You're using company time and resources to look for a different job? Get it together!

Send your resumes when you're not at work on your work computer, please. The IT department can see everything you send, remember, and some of them are looking for faux pas just like this to forward to HR. You'll really kick yourself when you start feeling unhireable because nobody has responded to your applications while also being unemployed.

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This article is from Mikey Rox of Wise Bread, an award-winning personal finance and credit card comparison website. Read more great articles from Wise Bread:

5 Reasons Not to Delete Your Emails

Julie Rains — Thu, 15 Mar 2012 10:24:15 +0000

Never deleting emails is a lazy way of keeping organized. By saving and archiving emails, I have information at my fingertips without having to figure out ahead of time precisely what I'll need and how I'll use these messages.

Recently, my emails saved me over $300. When signing up for a new service, I captured information relating to service features, pricing, and contract terms via email, beginning with sending the content of a live chat to my email address and continuing throughout my conversations with company representatives. When the company failed to deliver as promised, I was able to reference emails with their commitments, address billing issues, and even get compensation for my troubles. (See also: How to Get What You Want on Customer Service Calls)

But even when the emails don't save money, they help me to deal with situations like these below.

1. Finding Important Documents

Are you looking for a certain version of your resumé? Can you remember the date of your child's band concert or end-of-year picnic? Can you put your hands on presentation guidelines for an upcoming speaking engagement?

Very often, these files are attached to an email that you sent or received.

If you saved your emails, you can easily find the cover letter and resumé that you sent three months ago when the HR person finally calls and requests an interview. Instead of frantically searching on your computer for the precise version you prepared to apply for this job, you can spend your energy researching the company and getting ready to talk to the hiring manager. (Alternatively, limit the versions of your resumés as described in The Case for Not Tweaking Your Resumé.)

Likewise, you may be able to locate guidelines for a contract assignment, calendars of events for professional groups, dates of your child's school activities, etc.

2. Remembering Promises Made

Are you trying to remember exactly what you committed to for a project, presentation, special event, or meeting? Did a coworker, boss, or friend assure you that she'd give you some information or handle a detail for that project? Can you spontaneously recall the details of these promises? Is there a conflict because you remember a conversation differently than your colleagues?

The details of the commitments may be contained in one or several of your emails. You may be able to quickly find the following information:

Description of the project, presentation, event, or meeting
Requirements and suggestions of project components, venues, and agenda items
Specific assignments of team members and groups
Dates of planning sessions and project updates
Important deadlines along with timelines for accomplishing certain tasks

Just as importantly, you'll be able to recall conditions on promises. For example, I may state that I will be glad to edit your proposal by April 30 if you can forward the script to me by April 15. This record helps me to honor commitments without being taken advantage of, particularly when weeks or months pass between the time that the agreement was made and an action is required.

When I have received a commitment, I feel more confident prompting someone to complete a task, send me a report, etc. — basically, adhere to her promises — if I can recall the details of our conversations.

Having this information doesn't guarantee that others (or I) will behave in the precise manner promised. But it does help to remember what is expected, untangle any misunderstandings, and gain insight into who is reliable among friends, coworkers, bosses, etc.

3. Finding Documentation of Past Events

Do you need to prepare a report with a recap of events and activities? Do you want to pull up records of interactions with sales prospects, committee members, program participants, or volunteers? Are you looking for a receipt for the purchase of conference passes, theater tickets, school yearbooks, or something else?

You can pull together all the information you need by looking at multiple email conversations that have occurred over time.

For example, recently I learned that I needed to compile information about scout service projects. Sure, I could make several phone calls and extract this information from the organizers, who may then have to dig through their files before getting back to me. I could supplement this activity with a search of my own records, stored in a file folder labeled "scouts" and perhaps scattered amongst my son's school records and a few other places in my house or office. However, pertinent information about the projects are also stored in a few emails.

Just as easily, you can access information about conferences, trade shows, business dinners, out-of-town trips, fund-raisers, etc. Typically, you will be able to find these details:

Event and travel dates
Names and contact information of clients visited, event hosts, and administrators
Vendors you met at business meetings
Guests at dinners that you'd like to meet again

And you should be able to easily find receipts for purchases along with any warranties, return policies, and guarantees.

4. Locate Contact Information

Are you scrambling to find the phone number for a new friend who hasn't made your phone contact list yet, a client you are meeting for the first time, a recently signed-on volunteer, a contractor who is traveling to your home soon, or anyone else? Your acquaintances, prospects, etc. contact information (email addresses, phone numbers, Twitter handles, LinkedIn pages, etc.) are often stored on a email message. Sometimes, you may find what you need in a conversation directly with that person. At other times, this info resides on an attached roster or directory.

5. Give Yourself a Clue

Do you need some tidbit of info that you are absolutely sure is NOT in your email box?

Much of my day-to-day life is captured in some way in my email box: conversations with clients and vendors; messages from scout leaders, youth leaders, coaches, and band directors; dinner plans with friends; or compilations of notes and files for a year-long project. But not everything is contained there. However, I can get clues to where a file, invoice, etc. is located based on information gleaned from an email.

For example, you may not be able to remember the year in which you completed a certain financial transaction, so you can't easily locate a confidential document that you need. But you may recall that the transaction took place about the same time that you went to your cousin's wedding. You still have messages about the wedding, which then gives you the information you need to easily find the document offline.

Dealing With Inbox Clutter

One way that I deal with email clutter is to limit the emails landing directly in my inbox. I set up filters to send sale alerts, certain newsletters, etc. to "Trash" and then check my trash folder on a regular basis; in this way, these items are purged automatically every 30 days.

The emails that I like to keep are the ones that deal with personal or work-related conversations. I delete emails that contain confidential or sensitive information.

Do you keep all of your emails? Or do you have a better system for keeping up with loads of information? Share in the comments.

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This article is from Julie Rains of Wise Bread, an award-winning personal finance and credit card comparison website. Read more great articles from Wise Bread:

6 Signs That a Winning Notification Email Is a Fake

Linsey Knerl — Wed, 14 Sep 2011 09:48:22 +0000

I’ve written about my hobby of entering sweepstakes before, and like any worthwhile endeavor, there is always a downside. One of these, unfortunately, is the massive amounts of new email you will receive as you sign up for newsletters and give out your contact info for prize notification. While fake prize emails can be sent to anyone, those who enter giveaways seem to be even more prone to receiving them. And while most of my newly sweeping friends have a bit of a learning curve in identifying the fakes from the real thing, they eventually master these six red flags that something isn’t right. (See also: Sweeping 101)

1. You Don’t Remember Entering

Even with the thousands upon thousands of sweepstakes I’ve entered over the past 14 years, I have a mild recollection of most of them. If I were to receive an email saying that I won dinners for a year from a local eatery, it would ring a bell, and I’d likely get excited. If some random company tells me that I won a questionable amount of cash in a promotion I don’t remember, however, I would take a minute to examine it more carefully.

Not sure if you entered or not? Google the promotion name, company, and prize to see what you find. Most likely, if it is a legit sweep, it was listed on several sites that prize winners frequent.

2. The Company Is Huge

While Pepsi, Yahoo, and Google do hold many giveaways, they rarely handle their own correspondence. If you get an email from Yahoo itself claiming to have picked your name to get a free iPad, for example, see 1) if you remember entering and 2) if the email is signed by a fulfillment company. If the email is signed by a PR company, it’s more likely real than if it’s signed by Pepsi’s CEO.

Again, you can Google to get the info for the company that is handling prize fulfillment for the sweepstakes you are wondering about. Major sweepstakes are most often done by major companies that only do sweepstakes drawing, notification, and awarding.

3. The Word “Lotto” Is Ever Used

Seriously, do you even play the lottery? If you get an email from a foreign country with the happy announcement that you have “lotto” prizes, it’s not legit. Lottery takes money to play, and as far as I know, they never notify people via an ambiguous email.

Other sneaky terms to beware of include “grant award” and any mention of an international fund.

4. The Email Went Out to Everyone

Check the “to” field in your email. Do you find your email alongside a dozen or more other email addresses within the same alphabetical range as yours? Bad news — you’re on a spam email list. Someone is desperately sending this same email out to thousands of unsuspecting email account holders hoping someone will bite. Delete this one without question.

Whatever you do, do NOT reply or attempt to unsubscribe to any email that has dozens of addresses. This will only confirm to the spammer that the email is valid, encouraging them to send even more junk your way.

5. Hyperlinks Are Fishy

Most fake emails trying to access your info (also known as phishing emails) will try to get you to either click on a link within the body of the email, or reply to a particular email. The destination, at first glance, may seem legit (“Please check out xyzcompany to get your prize!"). By placing your mouse over the hyperlink and NOT clicking on it, however, you can see where the link is directed to go to. If this is anything but the address in the email, RUN! These are clever rouses designed to get you to sites you would never visit. Don’t do them the honor.

Do a quick link check of all URLs in the body and at the bottom of the email. PayPal scams, for example, often look a lot like an official PayPal email, but the hyperlinks within the text all direct to scam sites designed to get your sensitive information.

6. You Were Asked to Send Money

This one is quick and easy to master. Don’t pay shipping fees, processing fees, or award fees for your prize. A prize is a prize, after all, not something you ordered.

Beware of anyone claiming that you have to pay taxes upfront for any prize. The IRS handles income tax, your local treasurer handles motor vehicle and boat taxes. Let them do their jobs, and leave the scammers wishing you weren’t so smart.

This article is from Linsey Knerl of Wise Bread, an award-winning personal finance and credit card comparison website. Read more great articles from Wise Bread: