From Cornell Cooperative Extension, Tioga County

Y2K - Are You Prepared?

Heard about the Year 2000 bug? Chances are you have in news media, credit card inserts, Web sites, or at work. The best defense is being prepared:

• Do not give out personal information such as your bank account or credit card numbers to solicitors over the phone or online

• Be alert for unauthorized charges to your credit card or unauthorized debits to your checks or savings account.

• Ask your financial institution for its plan to deal with Y2K:

• What are their contingency plans in case of system failures?

• What type of backup records are kept in case of an emergency?

• Request a statement detailing your payments toward principal, interest, and other charges.

• Get a payment schedule showing how your loan balance will decrease until paid off.

• Keep detailed financial records. You'll need proof if something happens to computerized records. At a minimum, keep a six-month paper trail.

• Check deposit receipts and periodic statements. If inaccurate, report the discrepancies to your institution.

• Keep cancelled checks, bank statements, and check registers as proof of payment for at least several months before and after the date change.

• You might consider acquiring a credit report before and after the date change. Report any errors to the credit bureau.

• Retain credit card receipts for purchases made on or around January 1, 2000. Report discrepancies to your card issuer.