Identity Theft Awareness - a Resource from Three Rivers FCU

According to the Privacy Rights Clearinghouse, more than 400,000 people had their lives disputed by Identity theft in the year 2001. It could affect you -- or someone you know -- at any time, and it is expected to affect millions over the next few years.

Identity theft occurs when someone takes your personal information -- such as your financial institution account numbers or your social security number -- and then posses as you to run up charges and virtually destroy your financial credibility. It can takes months -- possibly years -- to even learn you have been victimized. Typically you learn of the intrusion(s) when applying for mortgage or other type of loan and your credit report indicates you have not paid certain bills -- bills that were created by identity thieves without your knoledge.

Three Rivers Federal Credit Union considers this crime a very serious threat. We continually monitor our security initiatives to protect members and their accounts. However, total security is only possible with your help.

  1. Don't Give Personal Information, such as account or credit card numbers, via telephone or Internet unless you initiate the contact. Financial institutions and credit card companies typically already have this information and would not need to request it from you.
  2. Report Lost or Stolen Checks immediately and properly store canceled checks. Examine new checks to be sure none were stolen during shipment and store them is a safe location.
  3. Destroy Unused Financial Solicitations before discarding them. Also, tear up other financial documents before discarding them.
  4. Guard Your Personal Identification Numbers and treat your receipts with care. Leaving them behind or throwing them away could leave them vulnerable to thieves, who may be able to use them to access your accounts.
  5. Make Sure Your Mailbox is Secure and promptly remove mail once delivered. Identity thieves often will raid mailboxes to obtain credit card offers and financial statements.
  6. Contact Major Credit Reporting Companies [listed below] annually to review your file. A copy of your credit report is available for a small fee.

Equifax Credit Information Services, Inc.
(800) 525-6285 *
P.O. Box 740241, Atlanta, GA 30374-0241
www.equifax.com

* Hearing impaired call 800.255.0056, ask operator to call Auto Disclosure Line at 800.685.1111

Experian Information Solutions, Inc.
888.397.3742/ TDD 800.972.0322
P.O. Box 9530, Allen, TX 75013
www.experian.com
TransUnion Fraud Victim Assistance Division
800.680.7289/ TDD 877.553.7803
P.O. Box 6790
Fullerton, CA 92634-6790
www.tuc.com

If you are a victim of Identity Theft:
  • Contact your credit union to protect your accounts.
  • Contact your credit card suppliers
  • Contact the Social Security Fraud Hotline: 800.269.0271
  • Contact the FTC Identity Theft Hotline (877.IDTHEFT) [877.438.4338]

For your convenience, the FTC provides an ID Theft Affidavit that can be completed and provided to each creditor, financial institution or company that provided the thief with unauthorized credit or goods you describe. While this does not guarantee the thief will be prosecuted or that the debt will be cleared, it will better enable the companies to investigate the fraud and decide the outcome of your claim.