CCPD hosts workshop teaching how to avoid fraud

CAPE CORAL, Fla. — The Cape Coral Police Department held a workshop Wednesday evening educating people on how to avoid fraud due to the increase in scams during the holidays.

Patrick Collins, a Cape Coral resident, said he’s never been tricked by what scammers have sent him.

“I watch it carefully and we go over the credit card receipts every month,” Collins said. “We make sure they all coincide with our regular receipts.”

However, Collins still wants to stay informed on the most up to date preventative measures.

“As you get older, you’ll get more and more solicitations for crazy stuff,” Collins said.

Chief David Newlan believes the key to prevent more people from becoming victims of fraud is by educating the public on what they can do to keep themselves from getting taken advantage of and the techniques that scammers use.

“Fraud is on the up and up as far as crime goes,” Chief Newlan said.

Here are some tips to remember in order to avoid a scam:

• Major companies never ask for money over the phone
• Never give your social security number over the phone