Identity Theft/Fraud

What is it?

Identity theft occurs when someone uses your personal information such as your name, Social Security number, credit card number or other identifying information, without your permission to commit fraud or other crimes. Once an individual's identity has been compromised the repercussions can be detrimental. It often takes 6 months to a year to discover you have been a victim of identity theft. The average person requires two weeks of work cleaning up the mess the thieves have made. Many victims lose their jobs, are denied credit or housing, and some are even arrested for crimes they did not commit.

Identity theft is a serious crime. It is important to take the proper measures to protect yourself and not become a victim.

Please visit this site often, so we can keep you notified on the latest schemes to defraud, and ways for you to protect yourself.

Preventative Actions

  • Review your monthly statements.
  • Never give account information to anyone on the telephone or internet unless you initiated the call. Especially your social security number.
  • Promptly remove mail from mailbox.
  • Shred pre-approved credit card applications, credit card receipts, and bills before throwing them away.
  • Do not carry extra credit cards and ID's with you.
  • Maintain a secure list of all credit cards and contact information.
  • Review your credit report from all three bureaus at least once a year. You may also want to look into putting a security freeze on your credit history so that you can control who can access your information.
  • Memorize social security number and all PINs. Do not write them on cards or carry them on you.
  • Report all lost or stolen cards immediately.

Phishing Scams

Phishing attacks use 'spoofed' emails and fraudulent websites designed to fool recipients into divulging personal financial data such as credit card numbers, account usernames and passwords, social security numbers, etc. By hijacking the trusted brands of well-known banks, online retailers and credit card companies, phishers are able to convince up to 5% of recipients to respond to them.

Anti-Phishing Working Group offers the following tips on how to avoid phishing scams:

  • Be suspicious of any email with urgent requests for personal financial information.
  • Don't use the links in an email to get to any Web page, if you suspect the message might not be authentic. Instead, call the company on the telephone, or log onto the Web site directly by typing the Web address into your browser.
  • Avoid filling out forms in email messages that ask for personal financial information. You should only communicate information such as credit card numbers or account information via a secure Web site or the telephone.
  • Always ensure that you're using a secure Web site when submitting credit card or other sensitive information via your Web browser. To make sure you're on a secure Web server, check the beginning of the Web address in your browser's address bar - it should be “https://” rather than just “http://”.
  • Ensure that your browser is up to date and security patches have been applied.
  • Always report “phishing” or “spoofed” emails to the following groups:

Gift Card Phishing Scam

Identity Theft 911 reports a new phishing scam that uses the promise of gift cards or merchandise from major retailers to lure recipients into providing sensitive personal and financial information.

The phishing email prompts members to fill out an online “survey” that asks for the name of their financial institution, passwords, email addresses, and other personal account information. In exchange, at least one version of the scam promises a retail gift card valued up to $500. The member will never receive the free gift card. The only thing the member will get is a headache, because his/her identity will be stolen.

With millions of Americans buying gifts online during this holiday season, fraud experts are warning consumers to be wary of scams offering gift cards or merchandise in exchange for personal or financial information.

Nigerian Scam (Internet Check Fraud)

This is one of the oldest scams around and Americans have lost billions of dollars by it. It has a few different variations, but the most common form is an email or fax that is supposedly from a foreign country; often from the spouse or relative of an ousted leader. The letter goes on to state that money is being held in a foreign account and that a significant amount of “good faith” money is needed to free up the funds. The letter then requests funds to help free up the money in exchange for a large portion of the funds after they are free. This is, of course, a complete scam and the person behind the email or fax simply disappears with any funds obtained from victims.

Purchases

Credit union members selling items over the Internet are becoming victims to scams where the buyer sends a cashier's check in excess of the sales price. The buyer then asks the member to return the difference - usually in an international wire transfer. The amount is often thousands of dollars. These scams can initiate through valid websites, such as E-Bay and NADA.com.

In other versions of this scam, members are told that they have won an over-seas lottery or they have inherited money from a distant relative. In these cases the member is asked to send a processing fee or pay taxes on the winnings. After the initial funds are sent usually some kind of emergency arises and more funds are needed to process the transactions.

ATM Safety Tips:

  • Always exercise caution when making an ATM withdrawal, particularly from a machine that is located in a non-banking environment, such as a convenience store, shopping center or restaurant.
  • Be aware of your surroundings, particularly at night. If you observe or sense suspicious persons or circumstances, do not use the machine at that time.
  • Always protect your ATM card and keep it in a safe place, just like you would cash, credit cards or checks.
  • Immediately notify your financial institution if your card is lost or stolen.
  • Keep your Personal Identification Number (PIN) a secret. Never write it down anywhere, especially on your ATM card.
  • Never give any information about your ATM card or PIN over the telephone.
  • Do not use an ATM that appears unusual looking or offers options with which you are not familiar or comfortable.
  • Do not “swipe” your card in machines that claim to clean, re-magnetize or renew your card. The machine could be a “skimmer” which is used to copy identifying information from the magnetic strip on the back of your card.
  • Have your ATM card ready and in your hand as you approach the ATM. Do not wait to get to the ATM and then take your card out of your wallet or purse.
  • Be careful that no one can see you enter your PIN at the ATM. Use your body or your hand to “shield” the ATM keyboard as you enter your PIN.
  • To keep your account information confidential, always take your receipts or transaction records with you.
  • Closely monitor your account statements, as well as your balance, and immediately report any problems to your financial institution.
  • Do not count or visually display any money you received from the ATM. Immediately put your money into your pocket or purse and count it later, when you are in a secure place.
  • If you are using a drive-up ATM, be sure passenger windows are rolled up and all doors are locked. If you leave your car and walk to the ATM, lock your car.

What to do if you are a victim of identity theft:

  • Contact Financial Institution immediately
  • Contact Local Police Department to file a police report
  • Contact All three local Credit Bureaus and let them know you have been a victim of identity theft:

Equifax fraud unit: 800 525 6285

Click to visit Equifax Fraud website

Experian Fraud unit: 888 397 3742

Click to visit Experian Fraud website

TransUnion Fraud unit: 877 IDTHEFT

Click to visit TransUnion Fraud website

Contact Telecheck: 800 366 2425 They can help prevent some types of counterfeit checks from being accepted

Contact the DMV to verify no duplicate driver's licenses have been issued.

Contact Federal Trade Commission Hotline: 877 483 4338

This website can give you additional information and literature on what to do.
http://www.ftc.gov/bcp/edu/microsites/idtheft/