|
Identity Protection
On average, over 1,000 people a day in the United States become victims of identity theft. At WSECU, your financial security is our primary concern. We work hard to ensure your accounts are protected from fraudulent activity, and offer the following tips on how you can help reduce your own risk of identity theft.
Identity theft occurs when someone steals your personal information to commit fraud or theft. For victims of this crime, it may take years to clean their credit report and reclaim their good name.
The Federal Trade Commission (CFTC) has created a valuable guide on Identity Theft issues. To review this useful information click here.
Prevention
Protect yourself from becoming a victim by acting now. Following these simple rules may prevent your identity from being stolen and misused.
|
•
|
|
Give your social security number only when it's absolutely necessary. Ask if you can use your driver's license number or other form of identification instead.
|
|
•
|
|
Make a photocopy of all financial, insurance and personal information and store in a safe place. Be sure to include phone numbers on where to report lost or stolen information. If your wallet is ever missing, you'll have these records to use as a quick reference.
|
|
•
|
|
Look over all your statements for unauthorized or suspicious activity.
|
|
•
|
|
Order a copy of your credit report from different agencies at least once a year. Verify your report is accurate and includes activities you've authorized.
|
|
•
|
|
Consider the information you supply on an "enter to win" form. Some information, such as age and income are usually not necessary.
|
|
•
|
|
Contact your financial institution(s) and ask to have a code word placed on your account(s).
|
Recovery
If you suspect you've been a victim of identity theft, completing the following steps will help restore your good credit.
|
•
|
|
Contact our Call Center immediately at 800-562-0999, weekdays from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. and Saturdays from 9:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. We are committed to work with you to protect your accounts.
|
|
•
|
|
Contact the three major credit bureaus (see box) and ask them to put a fraud alert in your file. A fraud alert instructs creditors to contact you before any new accounts are opened or existing ones are changed.
|
|
•
|
|
Contact your creditors and follow up in writing. Close any suspicious accounts and open new ones using different passwords and PINs.
|
|
•
|
|
File a report with the police where the theft took place. Get a copy of the report as proof of the crime.
|
|
•
|
|
Contact your financial institution(s) and ask to have a code word placed on your account(s).
|
|
•
|
|
File a complaint with the FTC by contacting the Identity Theft Hotline, toll-free at 877-IDTHEFT.
|
|
•
|
|
Ask creditors if they'll accept the FTC's ID Theft Affidavit. This will allow you to report information to several companies simultaneously. You can get an FTC Affidavit at 877-IDTHEFT or at www.consumer.gov/idtheft/.
|
Three Major Credit Bureaus:
Equifax: 800-525-6285
Experian: 888-EXPERIAN
TransUnion: 800-680-7289 |
