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Identity Theft Prevention Resources

What is Identity Theft?

Identity theft is the fraudulent use of a person’s personal identifying information. Often, identity thieves will use another person’s personal information—such as a Social Security number, mother’s maiden name, date of birth, or account number—to open fraudulent new credit card accounts, charge existing credit cards, write checks, open bank accounts, or obtain new loans. They may obtain this information by:

• Stealing wallets containing identification and credit cards.
• Stealing bank statements from the mail.
• Diverting mail with a fraudulent change of address.
• Rummaging through trash for personal data.
• Stealing personal identification from workplace records.

How to Avoid Becoming a Victim

• Do not give personal information over the phone, by mail, or online unless you initiated the contact.
• Shred financial statements, receipts, pre-approved offers, and old checks before discarding.
• Protect PINs and passwords—avoid using easily available information.
• Carry only the identification and credit cards you need.
• Monitor billing cycles and inquire if bills don’t arrive on time.
• Check account statements carefully for unauthorized activity.
• Guard mail from theft; deposit outgoing mail at a post office or collection box.
• Order credit reports annually from the three major credit bureaus.

What to Do If You Become a Victim

• Contact the fraud department of each credit bureau and request a fraud alert/victim’s statement.
• Request a free copy of your credit report and review for fraudulent activity.
• Contact any bank or creditor where your accounts may be affected; request restrictions, password changes, or closure.
• File a report with your local police department.
• Call the Social Security Fraud Hotline at 800-269-0271.
• Contact the FTC Identity Theft Hotline at 1-877-ID-THEFT (438-4338).

Online Fraud Prevention

Be aware of “spoofing” and “phishing” scams. Connex will never email asking for account numbers, usernames, passwords, or PINs.

Recognizing Fraudulent Emails

• Be suspicious of any request for personal information via email.
• Do not click on links in suspicious emails—type the site address manually.

Resources

• Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC): www.occ.gov
• Federal Trade Commission (FTC): www.ftc.gov/idtheft
• National Fraud Information Center: www.fraud.org
• Equifax: (800) 525-6285 — www.equifax.com
• Experian: (888) 397-3742 — www.experian.com
• TransUnion: (800) 680-7289 — www.transunion.com