Identity Protection

Identity theft occurs when someone uses your personal information without your permission to commit fraud or other crimes. You can make it much harder for a thief to steal your personal information. These simple tips may help you minimize your risk.

• Review your credit reports periodically.

• To best protect your accounts, make sure the password and username you choose for online banking are unique: don’t use it for any other sites or services.

• Review your statements and account information regularly. Report suspicious transactions immediately.
• Never provide your personal or financial information in response to an unsolicited phone request.
• Beware of phishing emails or text messages asking for your confidential personal information such as passwords, PINs, or credit card numbers.
• To prevent a credit reporting company from releasing your credit report without your consent, consider adding a security freeze on your credit bureau files.
• Place passwords on your bank accounts if you have concerns.
• Change your online banking and other important passwords regularly and make sure to use strong passwords that are not easily guessed.
• Pay attention to your billing cycles and follow up with creditors if your bills don’t arrive on time.
• Cancel unused credit accounts.
• Carry only the identification information and the number of credit and debit cards that you actually need.
• Don’t carry your Social Security card in your wallet.
• Give your Social Security Number only when absolutely necessary. Ask to use another method, such as a password.
• Before you dispose of them, shred old confidential documents such as charge receipts, copies of pre-approved credit applications, insurance forms, and bank statements.
• Deposit outgoing mail in post office collection boxes, rather than in an unsecured residential or commercial mailbox.
• Be wary of promotional scams. Identity thieves use phony offers to persuade you to give them personal information.
• Secure personal information at home, especially if you have roommates or people that you may not know well coming into your home.
• Be aware of security in places you frequent and your other surroundings.
• See more tips to protect yourself online.

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