First, know the methods identity thieves use!
Phishing - Criminals create and use emails and websites that are designed to look like they are from well-known legitimate businesses and financial institutions. They try to deceive users into disclosing financial and account information, or other personal data such as passwords and usernames.
Spamming - Spammers send unsolicited email mailing lists and individuals. These emails include advertisements, viruses and hoaxes.
Spoofing - Thieves create a replica of an existing web page to fool a user into submitting personal, financial or password data.

Know how to prevent being a victim of ID theft!
- Never provide your personal information in response to an unsolicited request, whether it is over the phone or over the Internet. Emails and web pages created by phishers may look like the real thing. They may even have a fake padlock icon normally used to denote a secure site.
If you did not initiate the communication, you should not provide any info!
- Never click on the link provided in an email you believe may be fraudulent. It may contain a virus that can harm your computer.
- Never provide your password over the phone or in response to an unsolicited internet request. Financial institutions would never ask you to verify your account online.
- Do not be intimidated by an email or caller who suggest dire consequences if you do not immediately provide or verify financial information.
- If you are unsure if the contact is legitimate, contact the business or financial institution yourself. Go to the company's website by typing it in directly or using your bookmark, instead of clicking on the link in the email.

Some additional tips include:
- Only give your social security number when absolutely necessary.
- Before revealing personal financial information, find out whom you're dealing with, how the info will be used, and if it will be shared with anyone else.
- When you dispose of them, tear up or shred documents with personal and financial information.
- Look over your credit card and credit union statements carefully for any unauthorized charges or suspicious activity.

If you think you are a victim of identity theft:
- Contact your financial institution(s) immediately and alert them to the situation.
- Contact all creditors about fraudulent accounts. Close suspicious accounts and open new ones using new passwords and PIN #s.
- File a report with local police, or police where the theft took place. get a copy of the report in case a creditor needs proof.
- File a complaint with the FTC at the Identity Theft Hotline, toll free at
877-IDTHEFT (438-4338)
- Ask your creditors if they'll accept the FTC's ID Theft Affidavit. You can get one by calling the FTC at 877-IDTHEFT or at www.consumer.gov/idtheft. The affidavit allows consumers to report identity theft to several companies simultaneously.

Want to know even more?
Our credit union has more information at our office!