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Identity Theft

Identity theft occurs when someone obtains your personal information, such as your Social Security number, date of birth, address, and financial account numbers. Scammers will use this information to purchase items, take out loans, or open new accounts illegally.

Identity theft can have devastating impacts on your financial and personal well-being. These acts can damage your credit, and you may not know you have become a victim of ID theft until you suffer financial consequences such as a mysterious bill or loan denial.

Protect yourself from ID theft.

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  • Do not share your financial account information or Social Security number unless it is absolutely necessary or you initiated the contact or you have already established trust. Provide alternative information when possible.

  • Create complex PINs and passwords. Change your passwords if a company that you do business with has a breach of its databases. Don't share your PINs and passwords with anyone who does not have access to the account.

  • Pay attention to your billing cycles. Contact the credit union if you do not receive a monthly bill. It may mean that an identity thief diverted the bill. Sign up for electronic statements to minimize risk.

  • Check account statements carefully and regularly (within 30 days). Ensure that you authorize all transactions on the statement.

  • Guard your mail from theft. Take outgoing mail to post office collection boxes or the post office. Remove incoming mail promptly. If you will be away, have the post office put a hold on your mail.

  • Store your personal information in a safe place, and tear up or shred old credit cards, ATM receipts, old account statements, and unused credit card offers before throwing them away.

  • Limit the identification you carry. Take only the identification, credit, and debit cards you need and leave your Social Security card at home.

  • Watch out for “shoulder surfers.” Shield the keypad when typing your passwords on computers and at ATMs. 

  • Order your credit report once a year and review it to ensure it doesn't include accounts you have not opened. Consumers are entitled to one free credit report annually from each credit reporting agency.

  • Opt out of pre-approved credit cards, direct mail lists, and telephone solicitation. To opt out, call 1-888-567-8688 or go to optoutprescreen.com.

Did you know?

Consumers are entitled to one free credit report from each credit reporting agency annually.

What to do if you are a victim of identity fraud

If you think you are a victim of identity theft, it is important to take action right away!

1) Call the companies where you know the fraud occurred.

  • Call the fraud department and explain that someone has stolen your identity. Ask them to close or freeze the accounts. Then, no one can add new charges unless you agree.

  • Change logins, passwords, and PINs for your accounts.
2) Place a fraud alert and get your credit reports.

To place a fraud alert, contact one of the three credit bureaus. That company must tell the other two. A fraud alert is free, and it will make it harder for someone to open new accounts in your name.

Credit Bureau Contact Details
 
To get your free credit report from Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion go to:

www.annualcreditreport.com or call 1-877-322-8228

Credit bureaus must provide free copies of credit reports to victims of identity theft. Review your reports and make note of any account or transaction you don’t recognize. This will help you report the theft to the FTC and the police.

3) Report the Identity Theft to the FTC.
  • Go to IdentityTheft.gov or call 1-877-438-4338. Make sure to include as many details as possible.
  • Based on the information you enter, IdentityTheft.gov will create your Identity Theft Report and personal recovery plan


You may also want to order new credit or debit cards for any accounts involved in the theft. Or, you may want to close the accounts altogether.

For more information on what to do next, visit the Federal Trade Commission’s identity theft center or call the identity theft hotline at 1-877-438-4338.

 
4) File a report with your local Police Department

If you choose to file a report, you can go to your local police office with:

  • A copy of your FTC Identity Theft Report

  • A government-issued ID with a photo

  • Proof of your address (mortgage statement, rental agreement, or utilities bill)

  • Any other proof you have of the theft—bills, Internal Revenue Service (IRS) notices, etc.

Tell the police someone stole your identity and you need to file a report. Ask for a copy of the police report. You may need this to complete other steps.

File a Complaint

If you are a victim of an internet crime, contact us immediately. Then, report the crime to the Federal Bureau of Investigation Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3). 

Report A Scam

If you have received an email, phone call, or text from an imposter, file a complaint at the FTC Federal Complaint Assistant.

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