Most people worldwide are aware of the alleged Y2K bug that could disrupt everything from personal computers to banks, phone lines and emergency services at the stroke of midnight when the date changes to 2000.
But police have another millennium warning: Beware of Y2K scams. Opportunists are using the arrival of the year 2000 to create new scams and officials say panic can cause people to fall for fraudulent schemes and other scams.
"I think there's been so much publicity about Y2K, but we really don't know what's going to happen. That's what's frustrating," said Noreen Sorg, crime prevention officer for the Los Altos Police Department.
"We should all be ready ... be prepared for what may happen," including using common-sense precautions.
Sorg provided the following check list to help prevent scams:
Scam artists may try to pry personal financial information from you under the guise of fixing the Y2K problem.
Never provide bank account or credit card numbers or other personal financial information over the phone or online unless you initiate the contact.
Verify that a caller is really from your credit card company or bank.
Get the toll-free number from the telephone book or your statement and call back.
Beware of persons trying to sell you a product or service "guaranteed" to fix or prevent a Y2K problem.
This may be a scare tactic to sell you over-priced services.
Beware of Y2K-related "investment" opportunities.
Scam artists may try to persuade you to take money out of your bank to avoid computer foul-ups and then turn it over to be invested with them in gold or other assets.
Watch for exorbitant prices being charged for services and so-called "survival supplies."
Don't check the telephone at midnight to see if local phone lines are working.
This opens the line and could cause phone lines to shut down. Only use the telephone is it's necessary.
Withdraw a sensible amount of extra cash from the bank, but don't withdraw all of your money from the bank.
All funds in a bank are insured.
For more information about how to protect yourself from Y2K scams, call Noreen Sorg at 948-8223.