Here are four essential tips for protecting yourself online:
How can we help?
Or try these resources:
Identity Theft
Protecting the Older People in Our Lives From Becoming Victims of Scams
A January 2022 Pew Research study found that 75% of adults over 65 in the United States are using the internet regularly. This increased use of technology brings a heightened risk of fraud for all Americans. In this article we will address the most prevalent scams that target our senior citizens and provide simple advice on how to protect yourself and your elderly loved ones.
3 Ways to Protect Your Personal Information Online
Falling for a scam seems really common these days, but there are measures that you can take to protect yourself and prevent the leakage of your data on the internet. Check out these three tips for protecting your personal information:
Student Loan Scams — What You Need to Know
With many Americans holding out hope that their student loan debt will be reduced or forgiven altogether, but also struggling to keep up with the latest news from the federal government, it’s not hard to see why scammers have been so successful. That’s why we are highlighting five ways to protect yourself from fraudsters pretending to have the power to provide you with student debt relief.
Device Protection — Is Your Personal Information Safe?
A 2021 study by Deloitte found that the average American internet household owns 23 connected devices, an increase from an average of 11 devices in 2019, and that number is increasing each year. When we think of devices, we mostly consider our smartphones, home computers, and tablets.
Amazon Impersonators Are Stealing Millions and They’re Targeting All of Us
According to the Federal Trade Commission, between July 2020 and June 2021, 96,000 reports of “Amazon impersonation” were filed. Six thousand of the targeted individuals lost money in the scam, with reported losses totaling more than $27 million. The real numbers are likely to be significantly higher, because not all instances of fraud and attempted fraud are reported.
What to Know About Protecting Yourself During Tax Season
As the world continues to react to the virus, scammers are adapting their techniques to steal your money. With the increase in the number of transactions with the IRS this year (including child tax credit pre-payments, economic stimulus payments, and federal unemployment), the door has also become more widely open to thieves attempting to steal your tax benefits and your identity.
Triangulation Fraud and How You Can Be an Unwitting Participant
Identity theft continues to be more than just a costly headache. Once the bad guys have your identity information they can make repeated attempts to try to access your accounts, apply for credit in your name, and even steal your tax refund. This month we’re going to dig into some lesser-known, proactive steps you can take in the new year to protect yourself from becoming the target of identity fraud.
Five Ways to Keep Identity Thieves Guessing
Identity theft continues to be more than just a costly headache. Once the bad guys have your identity information they can make repeated attempts to try to access your accounts, apply for credit in your name, and even steal your tax refund.
Protecting Children From Identity Theft
Identity fraud goes in and out of the headlines with regularity, and while it can be overwhelming to try to keep up with the most current scams, we frequently hear updates from various news sources about guarding our identities. The latest scams are putting our children’s identities at risk. This month, we will focus on ways to protect the kids in your life from identity fraud.
Recent News
SESLOC Cares for Community Award: Michael Camacho-Craft
We’re partnering with News Channel 12 to honor nonprofit volunteers who make our community thrive. Each month, we’re choosing a different nonprofit and asking them to select a valuable volunteer to receive the SESLOC Cares for Community Award. We’re thrilled to introduce Michael Camacho-Craft, from the Good Samaritan Shelter
SESLOC Cares for Community Award: Margot Olivarria
We’re partnering with News Channel 12 to honor nonprofit volunteers who make our community thrive. Each month, we’re choosing a different nonprofit and asking them to select a valuable volunteer to receive the SESLOC Cares for Community Award. We’re thrilled to introduce Margot Olivarria, from Shoes for Students
Take a Santa Maria Local Rewards Tour
Thank you for voting for us in the Santa Maria Times “Best Of 2024” contest. We are humbled! Here are our favorite Local Rewards¹ hot spots in the area, where you’ll earn bonus SESLOC Rewards points¹ on eligible debit and credit card purchases.
Contactless Cards FAQs
Everything you need to know about using contactless cards.
SESLOC Cares for Community Award: Candice Monge
We’re partnering with News Channel 12 to honor nonprofit volunteers who make our community thrive. Each month, we’re choosing a different nonprofit and asking them to select a valuable volunteer to receive the SESLOC Cares for Community Award. We’re thrilled to introduce Candice Monge, from CALM.
Shawn
Dan
Mary
Jennie
Mary
Lanie
Greg
Stacey
Aja
