How thieves steal your identity

Are you a victim?

• Theft – taking wallets or purses and using IDs and bank/credit cards.

• Mail – stealing mail or sending fraudulent mailers.

• Phone – making unsolicited calls requesting private information.

• Trash – digging through trash for receipts, statements, credit card offers, etc.

• E-mail – sending fraudulent e-mails that look like legitimate corporate communication. “Phishing” scams involve unsolicited professional-looking e-mails sent by thieves that alert customers to provide their confidential information (Social Security number, account numbers, PINs). Identity thieves then use this captured information to commit crimes under the victim’s identity.

• Online – creating counterfeit websites to capture your confidential information.

If you think your identity may have been stolen, contact the following immediately:

1. Credit Bureaus: Alert the credit bureaus of the fraudulent activity that has occurred.

Equifax 1-800-525-6285
Experian 1-888-397-3742
TransUnion 1-800-680-7289

2. Other Financial Institutions: Notify all of your banks or credit issuers.

4. Federal Trade Commission: File a complaint with the FTC by calling the Identity Theft Hotline toll-free at 1-877-IDTHEFT (438-4338).

How you can protect yourself

• Monitor your bank account and credit card activity.

• Guard your personal information. Don’t carry your Social Security card or account numbers in your purse or wallet.

• Shred all confidential paperwork before discarding – including statements, applications and old bank/credit cards.

• Review your monthly statements carefully and check for any unauthorized transactions.

• Don’t provide confidential information via e-mail or phone. If you need to provide this information, be sure you initiate the phone call and/or use a secure online session for e-mail.

• Check your credit reports on a regular basis to verify all inquiries and accounts.