Just thirty seconds can save you some cash. Yes, really. That’s how long it takes to check your bank statements for charges that don’t belong. It may sound like a no-brainer, but many people forget to do it, and it can cost you.

Milagros Johnson from the Springfield Mayor’s Office of Consumer Information told 22News that many people are not checking their bank statements, credit card statements, or telephone bills for suspicious charges. She said you should look over every statement you receive, and examine it for discrepancies or unauthorized charges. 

She recently got a complaint from a woman who just discovered she’s been having $12 at a time debited from her checking account. Johnson looked into the woman’s case, and found that the fraud began in September of 2009.

The consumer advocate told the 22News I-Team that many times months go by, and hundreds of dollars are lost, before the victim realizes something is wrong.

If you spot a scam, or if there’s something you want the I-Team to investigate, send an e-mail to iteam@wwlp.com. Now you can also get our I-Team updates on twitter, follow us at @JessStanley and @LauraHutch22.