Identity theft happens when someone uses your personal or financial information without permission, resulting in damage to your credit status and costing your time and money.**
Identity theft affects people of all ages, races and nationalities. Anyone can be a victim.
Thieves use many tactics to get your information. Some of the most common are:
- Stealing wallets that contain personal identification information and credit cards.
- Stealing credit union statements from the mail.
- Diverting mail from its intended recipients by submitting a change of address form.
- Rummaging through trash for personal data.
- Stealing personal identification information from workplace records.
- Intercepting or otherwise obtaining information transmitted electronically.
There are many ways you can prevent becoming the victim of identity theft.*
- Do not share personal information, whether through the mail, over the telephone, or on the internet. Never provide financial account information or Social Security Numbers unless you know for sure the person requesting the information is legitimate.
- Control access to your financial information. Always store your personal information in a safe place, and tear up or shred any financial documents, receipts or old credit cards before throwing away.
- Protect your PINs and other passwords. Avoid using easily available information identity thieves could use to access your accounts.
- Monitor billing cycles and statements. If you do not receive a monthly bill or statement in the mail, contact FMFCU immediately to investigate if the mail was diverted by an identity thief.
- Check account statements carefully, ensuring you authorized all charges or withdrawals that are on the statement.
- Avoid sending payments through the mail, if possible. Make your payments through FMFCU’s Online and Mobile Banking. Learn more about check mail fraud.
- Monitor your credit report. Consumers are entitled to one free credit report from each credit reporting agency annually.
Have you become a victim of identity theft? Rest assured, FMFCU has the resources you need to report.
Read or download our Member Identity Theft Packet
*Identity Theft, Fraud and Scams, Fraud Prevention Center, MyCreditUnion
**Identity Theft, Scams and Fraud, USA Gov.