Identity theft is a serious crime that can have severe effects on
your credit and security. Identity thieves scour the Internet and the
phone lines looking for ways to access personal information and
“phishing” for information through fraudulent emails, pop-up
advertisements, websites and phone calls. Here are some ways you can
ensure that you are protected from fraud and identity theft:
- Don’t give out personal
information in response to an unsolicited request. Be wary of
“phishing” schemes. Phishing is when fraudsters contact you posing as
anything from a financial institution to a utility or government agency,
and request personal information. Often these requests look and feel
like the real thing. If you did not initiate the contact, don’t give
out any information. If you are unsure if a request is legitimate, end
contact and call the institution directly to verify who is making the
request. Read this brochure on what "phishing" is, how to fight identity theft and what to do if you fall victim to identity theft.
- Every 12 months you are
entitled to a free credit report from each of the three credit reporting
bureaus (Equifax, Experian, TransUnion). Take advantage of
these reports to ensure that there are no errant transactions or
incorrect information on your report.
- Create passwords and pin
numbers that are hard to replicate. For your Online Banking
sign-on, or your debit card pin #, avoid common information such as your
date of birth or mother’s maiden name. It is best to memorize your
passwords, but if you must maintain written copies ensure that they are
in a secure place
- For Businesses: Read these FTC Facts for Businesses for information on the risk of identity theft
