Never give any financial details over the phone,unless you initiated the call.The most common scenario:Someone calls you pretending to be from a local charity.You agree to donate a small amount to a "good cause".Not suspecting anything,you give them the credit card details over the phone and the rest,as they say,is history.Next time you get your credit card statement,it will be full of unauthorized transactions.Do you give them credit card numbers over the phone?Never!Either ask them to send you some leaflets in the mail,or get their phone number so you can verify they are who they say they are,before donating any money.Another scenario:Someone calls you "from a local bank".All they want to do is verify your financial details.Again,I don't care what they tell you,don't do it.Ask them to leave their name and contact number so you can call them back.Next,get your local bank's phone number from a phone book and give the bank a call (don't use the number they gave you,as the thieves maybe just waiting on the other end).Ask people at the bank if someone was trying to contact you.You may find out they know nothing about it!The fact is,your bank already has all the details they need about you,in the vast majority of cases.
