Identity Theft
ID Theft or (Identity Theft) occurs when someone uses your personal information to commit fraud or other crimes. By obtaining a few pieces of confidential personal information, the thief can open accounts, obtain debit and credit cards, and obtain loans using your identity. Learning how to protect yourself and what to do if you suspect that your identity has been stolen are important steps in stopping this crime.
Steps we encourage you to take to protect yourself from ID Theft:
- Do not give personally identifiable information such as account or social security number over the phone, through the mail, or over the internet unless you have initiated the transaction and know who you are dealing with.
- Before revealing information, find out how it will be used and if it will be shared with anyone. Ask if you have a choice about the use of your information.
- Store personal information in a safe place and shred old credit card, debit card, and ATM receipts, account statements, and unused credit card offers.
- Check your account statements carefully to ensure all charges, checks, and withdrawals were authorized.
- Pay attention to your billing and statement cycles. Call us if you did not receive a statement; it may mean that the statement has been stolen or diverted to another address by an identity thief.
- Give your Social Security number only when absolutely necessary. Ask to provide other identifying information when possible.
- Minimize the identification information and the number of debit and credit cards you carry.
- Guard your mail from theft.
- Order a free copy of your credit report from the three credit reporting agencies every year. Make sure it is accurate and includes only those activities you have authorized.
Visit the National Credit Union Association’s (NCUA’s) Fraud Information website at //www.ncua.gov/Resources/Cnsmrs/Fraud/Pages/default.aspx
