In today's environment, it is crucial for you to have the information on how to prevent and recover from identity theft.
How does someone steal your identity?
Identity thieves use a wide range of methods such as rummaging through trash(looking for anything that has your personal information on it); stealing mail (bank statements, credit card statements); snatching wallets or purses; hacking unprotected computers; phishing (sending fraudulent e-mails that ask for personal information and appear to have been sent from a trustworthy source); skimming (a device used to steal credit/debit card numbers as a transaction is processed electronically); changing their victim's address; pretexting (false pretenses to obtain your personal and financial information over the phone or email); and sadly, when some steal cars, they often find checkbooks, pay stubs, and other personal information inside the vehicle.
Safeguard your identity; it is yours!
- Shred your trash
- Purchase a cross cut paper shredder
- Shred ANYTHING that has your personal information on it
- Take precaution when using your home computer
- Purchase an anti-spy software
- Do not click on pop-ups
- Do not open mail that you do not recognize
- Report ANYTHING unfamiliar to your web/email host
- Take advantage of your credit union safety features
- Put a verbal password on your account for all transactions in person or over the phone that only you would know
- Monitor your account online every day with a secure password
- Be Smart!
- Consider getting a PO Box instead of using your mailbox at home
- Do not carry your social security card with you
- Purchase a safe to securely store all personal information
- Do not keep sensitive, personal information in your car
- Photocopy your identification, credit cards and debit cards so you have something to prove who you are and have the phone numbers necessary to call and cancel cards
- Review your credit report at least once a year
If your identity HAS been stolen, these next steps are crucial:
- File a police report
- Notify creditors and your credit union
- Monitor your account closely
- Dispute any unauthorized transactions with your credit union or creditor
- Change your account number if you think it has been compromised
- Review your credit report
Do not let the fastest growing crime in the United States affect you!
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Did You Know...
- You are more likely to become a victim of identity theft than you are to be in a car accident or develop heart disease?
- If you become a victim, you will spend between 60 and 600 hours repairing your compromised identity?
Steps You Can Take to Avoid Identity Theft
- Never give a credit card number, social security number or other personal information over the phone or via email to any unsolicited callers.
- Remove incoming mail promptly from your mailbox.
- Do not leave outgoing mail in an unlocked box.
- Tear or shred unused loan applications and any other identification information before throwing it into the trash.
- Report stolen credit cards immediately.
- Carefully review your checking, savings and credit card statements, and report any inconsistencies at once.
- Review your credit report regularly and report any errors to the credit bureau. You can request a free copy of your credit report annually at www.annualcreditreport.com.
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Online Banking and Bill Pay are actually a much safer alternative to paper-based options.
Environmental Impact
Did you know that if every U.S. household stopped receiving paper bills and statements, 687,000 tons of paper would be saved each year? That is enough to circle the Earth 239 times! On top of that, when you use Online Banking and Bill Pay, you eliminate trips to the credit union, saving you time and gas!
The Safer Way to Handle Transactions
If you are sending out bills with checks, there is a chance that the check may be intercepted by mail thieves and "washed," essentially giving the criminal a blank check with all of your account information. If your statements are coming in via mail, once again you run the risk of sensitive account information falling into the wrong hands.
Although no system is 100% risk-free, Online Banking and Bill Pay use the latest in encryption technology to ensure the safety of your data. As a user, you can do your part by using secure passwords, as well as protecting your computer by using firewalls and/or security software that protects against hackers.
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