Identity Theft Can Happen to You
You may be the victim of identity theft and not even know it.
Secure your identity and your future with our Identity Theft Solutions and FREE
shred events!
Accessing your bank account, running up astronomical charges on your credit card, even opening up new accounts in your name can all be done with a few critical pieces of personal information. Scary, isn't it?
Identity fraud boils down to this: Armed with a piece or two of your vital personal information, a criminal can access and drain your financial accounts, open new accounts or apply for loans and credit cards under your name, and perhaps even have your mail routed to him or her. This type of fraud has increased dramatically in recent years.
Identity thieves are using a high-tech scam that typically involves email spam to deceive consumers into disclosing their personal or financial information , such as credit card numbers, bank account information, Social Security numbers, passwords, and other sensitive information. The practice is commonly referred to as “Phishing” or "Carding." Learn more
Here are some ways you can protect yourself against potential
identity theft of your information:
- Don't provide your Social Security number or personal credit information to anyone who calls you over the phone. Only provide information when YOU initiate the call and are familiar with the business.
- Tear up or shred credit card receipts, bank statements, and unused credit card offers before throwing them away. Opt out of pre-approved credit card offers by calling 1.888.5OPT.OUT, www.optoutprescreen.com.
- Protect your personal information: name, address, phone, mother's maiden name, date of birth, and Social Security number.
- Protect your individual bank and credit card Personal Identification Numbers (PINs) and any other passwords and change them frequently. Do not use your Social Security number as your PIN number.
- Review your monthly financial statements closely and immediately contact your bank or credit card company if you discover any unauthorized charges. If you use the Internet, only provide information to secure sites for businesses that you trust that have a clear policy on what they do with your personal information.
- Never respond to e-mail solicitations asking for personal information.
- Check your credit report for accuracy each year, and immediately report any inaccuracies to the credit bureau. As an Illinois resident, you are entitled to one free copy of your credit report per year from the three credit reporting agencies. Click here for more information.
- Keep a listing of all your credit and bank information in a secure place. This listing will make it easier for you to contact creditors and banks if your identity is stolen or if you simply lose your wallet.
What to do if your identity is stolen?
If you believe you have had your identity stolen, follow these steps to reduce the possible damage and loss. It is extremely important to act quickly to protect your credit rating and reduce your risk of loss.
- Immediately contact your bank to close your existing accounts. Open new accounts with new account numbers, ATM cards and PIN numbers.
- Cancel all of your credit cards and request that new accounts be established.
- Report any suspected theft of your information to your local police and request copies of all police reports
- Contact all your creditors, by phone and in writing, and inform them of the problem.
- Contact the three major credit reporting agencies by telephone and in writing to request a fraud investigation.
- Contact the Illinois Registry of Motor Vehicles to see if a new license has been requested or issued in your name.
- KEEP COPIES OF EVERYTHING.
|
|
Important Contact Information
Hawthorne Credit Union
P.O. Box 3046
Naperville, IL 60566-9738
(630) 369-4070 or
(800)-848-1697 outside of Illinois
Federal Trade Commission Hotline
877.ID.THEFT
United States Department of State-lost passports
US Department of State
Passport Services
Consular Lost/Stolen Passport Section
1111 19th Street, NW, Suite 500
Washington, DC 20036
202.955.0430
The Credit Reporting Bureaus/Fraud Departments:
Equifax
P.O. Box 105069
Atlanta, GA 30348
800.270.3435
800.525.6285
Experian (formerly TRW)
P.O. Box 9532
Allen, TX 75013
888.397.3742
800.301.7195
Transunion
P.O. Box 679
Fullerton, CA 92634
800.680.7289
|
|
