Identity Theft is a serious problem and it is getting worse. But you can take steps to reduce the possibility of this crime happening to you!

What is Identity Theft?
Identity theft occurs when someone steals your checks, Social Security Number or other personal information, without your knowledge, to commit fraud or theft. Identity theft is the fastest growing white collar crime in the world. It could affect you or someone you know at any time and it could take months to discover you’ve become a victim.

Ways identity thieves may use your personal information:

• Opening new credit card accounts, using your name, date of birth and
  Social Security Number. When they use the card and don’t pay the bills,
  the delinquent account is reported on your credit report.

• Establishing cellular phone service with your personal information.

• Opening a bank account in your name and writing bad checks on that account.

How to prevent Identity Theft

• Obtain a credit report from all three credit reporting agencies at least once a year and crosscheck all accounts. Close accounts you don’t use.

• In a secure place, make a list of all accounts and credit cards you have, their numbers and the phone number to call and cancel if lost or stolen.

• If possible, deposit outgoing mail in post office collection boxes or at your local post office.

• Don’t leave incoming mail overnight in your mailbox. If you are going out on vacation, call the US Postal Service to hold your mail.

• Report lost or stolen checks immediately and properly store cancelled checks. Examine new checks to make sure none were stolen during shipment. Store them in a safe and secure location.

• Tear or shred your credit/debit card receipts, copies of credit applications, insurance forms, physician statements, credit offers, expired charge cards, bank checks and statements that you are discarding. Fully destroy preapproved credit lines/credit cards.

• Don’t carry your Social Security number, Social Security Card, Passport or Birth Certificate. Leave them in a secure place to avoid loss or theft.

• Keep your computer turned off when not in use; a cable or DSL internet connection allows easier access to your computer.

What if you become a victim?
Contact SC Telco Federal Credit Union, any other financial institutions you use as well as any other creditors to protect your accounts and close them if necessary.

Report all identity theft to the fraud division of each major credit bureau:

Equifax
Consumer Fraud Division
PO Box 740256
Atlanta, GA 30374
800.525.6285

TransUnion
Fraud Victim
Assistance Department
PO Box 6790
Fullerton, CA 92834
800.680.7289

Experian
National Consumer
Assistance
PO Box 1017
Allen, TX 75013
888.397.3742

Report the theft to the police in your local area. Ask the police to file a report and give you a copy. You may need this report to help correct your credit report.

Report your incident to the Social Security Fraud Hotline: 800.269.0271

File a complaint with the FTC by contacting the FTC’s Identity Theft Hotline toll free at 1.877.IDTHEFT (438.4338) or by mail at Identity Theft Clearinghouse, Federal Trade Commission, 600 Pennsylvania Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20580

 

SC Telco Security

MONEYLINK Online

Other Resources

ID Theft Resource Center

CUNA ID Theft Info

PrivacyRights.org

FTC - ID Theft Info

US Treasury ID Theft Info

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