EDUCATION IDENTITY THEFT - Caldwell Bank & Trust

Education Center:

EDUCATION

Identity Theft

What is Identity Theft and how does it affect me?

Identity Theft is a serious crime. Identity Theft happens when someone uses information about you without your permission. They could use your:

Name and Address
Credit Card or Bank Account Numbers
Social Security Number
Medical Insurance Account Numbers

An Identity thief can use your name and information to:

Buy things with your credit cards
Get new credit cards
Open a phone, electricity, or gas account
Steal your tax refund
Get medical care
Pretend to be you if they are arrested

Signs that you may be a victim of identity theft

You notice errors or unfamiliar transaction on your bank and/or credit card accounts
Your credit report includes unfamiliar accounts or charges
Your credit report contains inquiries made by businesses in response to applications for credit, loans or services you didn't initiate
You receive collection notices or calls about a debt that isn't yours
You have a good credit rating but are denied credit in response to an application
Your checks are refused by merchants
Bills, statements or other expected mail or email doesn't arrive
You get bills for accounts you didn't open or medical services you didn't receive
Your health insurance responds to your legitimate medical claim with a notice that your benefits limit was reached
Your medical records report a condition you don't have
You are notified by the IRS that you have income from an employer unknown to you or that more than one tax return was filed with your Social Security number
You are notified of a DATA BREACH at a company that involves your information

What is a data breach?

A data breach is any instance in which secure information has been released or stolen intentionally or unintentionally. The organization that exposed or lost your information will notify you and should explain your rights and options.

The steps you should take depend on the type of information that was lost or stolen. In general you should do the following:

Monitor all bank account for suspicious activity
Change all passwords, PINs, or user names associated with compromised accounts
Order a copy of your credit report
Place a fraud alert and/or a credit freeze on your credit file
For more information on IDENTITY THEFT, go to identitytheft.gov

15 Ways to protect yourself against identity theft

1. Guard your social security card and number.
Don't carry your card or give out the number unless absolutely necessary.

2. Shred unwanted documents or cards that contain personal information.
Crosscut shredders offer the best protection.

3. When in doubt, don't give it out.
Never share personal information in response to unsolicited requests made online, by mail, or over the phone.

4. Secure your computer.
Install or update firewalls and anti-malware.

5. Backup your data regularly.
If your computer or device is compromised or stolen you'll still have access to important files.

6. Create strong passwords.
Do not use the same password for work and personal. When creating passwords for financial sites use a combination of letters, numbers, upper & lower case, and special symbols and change your passwords often.

7. Never download or open files from an unknown source.
Doing so can expose your computer to hacking and malware.

8. Check your credit report at least once annually.
Go online to AnnualCreditReport.com for a free annual report.

9. Limit what you share on social media sites.
Information on these sites can be used to impersonate you.

10. Use caution when using public or unsecured WI-FI connections.
If accessing sensitive information via WI-FI, make sure your connection is secure.

11. Be careful with your mobile phone or other device you use to make payments or other financial transactions.
Secure your device with a passcode that is set to auto lock after a specific time of inactivity. As an added precaution, immediately lock your device when not in use.

12. Keep your mobile device up to date.
Most update installs security fixes to correct previously identified issues.

13. Go paperless with bills and statements.
Contact your financial institution about going paperless.

14. Notify the bank of changes to your personal information.
Contact your financial institution of changes to your name, address, email, phone number, etc.

15. Review your account/statements regularly and report any issues to your financial institution immediately.

To report incidents of suspected identity theft, contact the Federal Trade Commission (FTC):

www.consumer.ftc.gov/features/feature-0014-identity-theft

or call toll free

1-877-IDTHEFT (438-4338)

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