Protecting Your Information

ID Fraud and Theft

Identity theft involves acquiring key pieces of someone's identifying information, such as name, address, date of birth, social security number and mother's maiden name, in order to impersonate them. This information enables the identity thief to commit numerous forms of fraud which include, but are not limited to, taking over the victim's financial accounts, opening new bank accounts, purchasing automobiles, applying for loans, credit cards and social security benefits, renting apartments, and establishing services with utility and phone companies. There are two types of identity theft: New Account and Account Takeover.

Key Preventive Actions

• Promptly remove mail from your mailbox after delivery
• Deposit outgoing mail in post office collection mailboxes or at your local post office. Do not leave in unsecured mail receptacles
• Never give personal information over the telephone
• Shred pre-approved credit applications, credit card receipts, bills and other financial information
• Empty your wallet of extra credit cards and IDs
• Order your credit report from the three credit bureaus once a year to check for fraudulent activity
• Never leave receipts at bank/credit union machines, bank/credit union counters, trash receptacles, or unattended gasoline pumps
• Memorize your social security number and all of your passwords
• Sign the back of all new credit cards with your signature upon receipt (It is illegal to sign the back "Check Photo ID")
• Save all credit card receipts and match them against your monthly bill
• Report all lost or stolen credit cards immediately

Internet and Online Services

• Use caution when disclosing checking account numbers, credit card numbers or other personal financial data at any web site or online service location unless you receive a secured authentication key from your provider
• When you subscribe to an online service, you may be asked to give credit card information. When you enter any interactive service site, beware of con artists who may ask you to "confirm" your enrollment service by disclosing passwords or credit card account number used to subscribe
• Check out the FTC website for practical information on a variety of consumer topics. The information here can help you avoid identity theft and/or fraud and exercise your consumer rights 

Who to Contact Regarding Your Credit Report

Equifax

PO Box 105873
Atlanta, GA 30348-5873
Telephone: 1-800-997-2493
www.equifax.com

Experian Information Solutions

PO Box 949
Allen, TX 75013-0949
Telephone: 1-888-397-3742
www.experian.com

TransUnion

PO Box 390
Springfield, PA 19064-0390
Telephone: 1-800-916-8800
www.tuc.com

Action Steps for Identity Theft Victims

• Contact all creditors, by phone and in writing, to inform them of the problem
• Call your nearest U.S. Postal Inspection Service office and your local police
• Contact the Federal Trade Commission to report the problem
• Call each of the three credit bureaus' fraud units to report identity theft. Ask to have a "Fraud Alert/Victim Impact" statement placed in your credit file asking that creditors call you before opening any new accounts
• Alert your banks/credit unions to flag your accounts and contact you to confirm any unusual activity
• Request a change of PIN and a new password
• Keep a log of all your contacts and make copies of all documents. You may also want to contact a privacy or consumer advocacy group regarding illegal activity
• Contact the Social Security Administration's Fraud Hotline
• Contact the state office of the Department of Motor Vehicles to see if another license was issued in your name. If so, request a new license number and fill out the DMV's compliant form to begin the fraud investigation process.

Report Identity Theft to:

• Equifax Credit Bureau, Fraud 1-800-525-6285
• Experian Information Solutions 1-888-397-3742
• TransUnion Credit Bureau, Fraud 1-800-680-7289
• Federal Trade Commission 1-877-FTC-Help
• Local Police Department
• Social Security Administration, Fraud Hotline 1-800-269-0271
• U.S. Postal Inspection Service

Online Safety

What’s Reg E?

In a nutshell, Reg E is meant to protect credit union members who use electronic methods to transfer money and provide guidelines for electronic debit card issuers.

Regulation E applies to EFTs (Electronic Fund Transfers) such as Point-of-sale transfers (POS), automated teller machines (ATMs), Direct Deposits or withdrawal of funds, and transfers initiated by telephone and Debit Card transactions. Electronic transfers excluded are wire transfers and electronic checks.

Whose accounts are covered under Reg E?

Reg E applies to consumer accounts such as checking accounts, money market accounts and savings accounts.

Whose accounts are NOT covered under Reg E?

Reg E doesn’t apply to business accounts, including business checking or business savings accounts. And it doesn’t cover credit cards either. Credit cards are protected under the Fair Credit Billing Act which outlines your rights and responsibilities for disputing unauthorized charges.

OK…what does it do for me?

Reg E outlines your rights for disputing ATM and debit card transactions errors, fraudulent or accidental ones. Reg E lets you dispute the following types of errors:

1. Unauthorized EFTs
2. Incorrect EFTs to or from your account(s)
3. Omission of an EFTs
4. Computational or bookkeeping errors made by the credit union regarding an EFT
5. Receipt of an incorrect amount of money from an ATM or other electronic terminal
6. Errors involving preauthorized transfers
7. Requests for additional info or clarification concerning an EFT

Ok…now what do I do?

Don’t wait if you believe there is an error on your account, call us! We are here to help you through the process.

If a LOST or STOLEN card is reported before any unauthorized charges are made: Your maximum liability is -0-!

If a LOST or STOLEN card is reported within 2 business days after learning your card was lost or stolen: Your maximum liability is $50

If a LOST or STOLEN card is reported more than 2 business days after learning your card was lost or stolen, but less than 60 calendar days after your statement is sent to you: Your maximum liability is $500

If a LOST or STOLEN card is reported more than 60 days after your statement was sent to you: Your maximum liability is all the money that was taken from your account, as well as money taken through unauthorized transactions from other accounts linked to your debit card account.

What can I do to protect myself?

1. Shop with reputable retailers

It’s best to shop directly with online retailers you know and trust. Bookmark your favorite shopping sites to get there quickly and safely. Avoid typing the name of the retailer into your browser bar. That’s because a tiny typo could land you on a fake site that looks just like the real one. Make a “purchase” on an illegitimate site and you may unwittingly hand the scammers your credit card number and other personal info.

2. Vet new-to-you businesses

Did you spot an amazing product from a new seller? Do your homework on any business you’ve never purchased from in the past. Look for online reviews and search the Better Business Bureau website for complaints. Check the “contact us” page on the website for a U.S. address and phone number. Then take it a step further: call the business to verify. Why? The FBI reported that some scammers hijack the contact info of real U.S. businesses to make their shady site look legitimate.

3. Beware amazing deals

Did you spot an ad on Facebook or Instagram offering rock-bottom prices or an eye-popping offer of free stuff? Reports of lost money from social media scams have more than tripled in the past year, according to the U.S. Federal Trade Commission (FTC).

4. Don't browse on public Wi-Fi

Avoid shopping from public Wi-Fi next time you’re sipping a latte at your favorite coffee shop. The guy staring at his phone at the next table could be a hacker spying on your online activity. And shopping online often requires giving out information that an ID thief would love to grab, including your name, address and credit card number.

5. Use a VPN

If you ever do use public Wi-Fi, protect yourself with a VPN (virtual private network). A VPN creates an encrypted tunnel between your computer and the server. Cybercriminals lurking nearby won’t be able to see what you’re doing or intercept your personal information. A VPN is the only way to shop online safely from public Wi-Fi in airports, cafes and other public spaces. Remember, if an offer looks too good to be true, then it probably is. The FBI found that many sites at the center of its recent increase of complaints were advertised on social media platforms.Compare prices before you buy. Unusually low prices could be a red flag that you’ve landed on a fake site that’s been set up to snag your personal information or steal your money.

6. Pick strong passwords

A strong password is like a secure lock that keeps cyberthieves out of the accounts where you store your private information. Here are some quick guidelines on how to choose a good password: Use a complex set of lower and uppercase numbers, letters, and symbols. Or consider a long passphrase that you can remember, and others are unlikely to guess. Avoid dictionary words and personal information a thief could use.

7. Check site security before you buy

Look for a lock icon in the browser bar of a site to verify that they use SSL (secure sockets layer) encryption. The URL also should start with “https” rather than just “http.” Secure websites are configured to mask the data you share, such as passwords or financial info. Shopping only on secure sites reduces the risk that your private information will be compromised while you shop. find or guess, like your kid’s birthdate, your dog’s name or your favorite sports team.

Never reuse passwords across sites. If you do, a data breach at one company could give criminals access to your other accounts.

8. Don’t fall for email scams

You might get emails or texts offering amazing bargains or claiming there’s been a problem with a package delivery. Delete suspicious messages from unfamiliar senders. And don’t open attachments or click links in messages because they could infect your computer or phone with viruses and other malware. The holidays are a great time for email scammers to send out viruses and malware in the guise of a gift or special offer. Don’t open emails from someone you don’t know or a site you haven’t visited. Another way the bad guys try to get you is with phony messages from your bank or other financial institution saying there is an alert or problem with your account. Always call the credit union directly to verify any potential problems and never enter your account information in response to an email like this.

9. Guard your personal information

Here’s a general rule: No shopping website should ever ask for your Social Security number. If a site does request this type of very personal information, run in the other direction. Provide reputable sellers the minimum personal info necessary in order to complete a purchase.

10. Pay with credit, not debit

Always use a credit card to shop as securely as possible. First, a credit card doesn’t give a seller direct access to the money in your bank account. Second, most credit cards offer $0 liability for fraud. That means you’re not out any money if a crook uses your account info to make a purchase. Your credit card company will ask questions, investigate the fraudulent activity and send you a new card.

11. Keep an eye out for fraud

Don't wait for your bill to come at the end of the month. Go online regularly, especially during the holiday season, to view electronic statements for your credit card, debit card, and checking accounts. Look for any fraudulent charges, even originating from payment sites like PayPal and Venmo. (After all, there's more than one way to get to your money.) Or set up account alerts to notify you of any new activity on your card. When you receive a text or email notification, you can check your account to make sure you recognize the charge. If you see something wrong, pick up the phone to address the matter quickly. In the case of credit cards, pay the bill only when you know all your charges are accurate. You have 30 days to notify the bank or card issuer of problems, however; after that, you might be liable for the charges anyway.

12. Mind the details

After you make the purchase, keep the details in a safe place. Hang onto the receipt, your order confirmation number and the tracking number the seller provides. If you have a problem with the order, this information will help you get the issue resolved quickly.

13. Track your stuff

After you make an online purchase, keep tabs on it to make sure it’s headed your way. If the merchant refuses to provide shipping info or respond to your requests for the status of your order, contact your credit card issuer for help. They may remove the charge from your bill and look into the matter.

14. Report scammers

Did you get scammed? If so, file a complaint with the U.S. Federal Trade Commission and the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center. Tip: If you suspect you may be a victim of ID theft, the FTC offers an identity theft recovery plan.

15. Update your software

Updating your software is one of the easiest things you can do to protect your information, but many people put it off. Software updates are often released to help improve security and fight new attacks that are being developed constantly. It may seem inconvenient to have to wait for your computer (or your smartphone) to go through updates and restart, but the protective benefits are well worth it. Next time you see an alert to update your software, do it.