Important Security Tip for 2020

Getting used to writing the new year can be a challenge when the calendar flips back to January, but this year it’s especially important that you write the full year on official documents.

For your protection from scammers, the National Association of Consumer Advocates has advised always writing the year as 2020, so you don’t leave the door open for others to take advantage of you.

“When the year 2020 is abbreviated on official forms and documents, those looking to exploit unsuspecting people can easily manipulate those numbers and leave people potentially vulnerable to fraud,” wrote CNN producer Harmeet Kaur. “For example, a document dated 1/4/20 can easily be changed to 1/4/2021 by adding two numbers at the end.”

Although writing the full date may initially seem annoying, by the end of the year, the minor inconvenience will almost assuredly be worth the extra precaution.

As Kaur wrote, “It’s only two more numbers, after all.”