Don't be the next victim.

Remember when all we had to worry about when it came to identity theft was someone raiding your mailbox for credit card offers and statements? Now that's only the beginning. Review these ID theft warning signs and then take the time to familiarize yourself with the ways you can protect yourself against Spyware, Pharming, Skimming and more.

• Identity Theft Warning Signs
• Online Transaction Security
• Phishing Scams
• And Now There's Pharming
• Skimming Information From Your Card
• WARNING: Spyware!
• Fast Fact -- the FACT Act
• What to Do if You are a Victim
• More Information

Identity Theft Warning Signs

• Fraudulent charges on your credit card statement.
• Credit card or financial statements don't arrive.
• Bills arrive for goods or services you didn't request.
• Suspicious inquiries on your credit report.
• Phone Calls from creditors.
• Suddenly denied credit.

Online Transaction Security

• Avoid sending sensitive information, such as account numbers through unsecured email, and always look for the lock icon at the bottom of the screen before you push the send button. That padlock ensures that information sent is secure.
• Passwords or PIN numbers should be used when accessing any online account.
• Your personal computer should be secured by virus protection and physical access controls should be used and updated regularly.
• Read mail only from senders that you know.
• Do NOT open suspicious attachments. If it's from a friend, verify it first.

Phishing Scams

Phishing attacks are 'spoofed' emails and fraudulent websites designed to fool recipients into divulging personal financial data such as credit card numbers, account user names and passwords, social security numbers, etc. By hijacking the trusted brands of well-known financial institutions, online retailers and credit card companies, phishers are able to convince up to 5% of recipients to respond to them.

• Be suspicious of any email with urgent requests for personal financial information.
• Don't use the links in a email to get to any web page, if you suspect the message might not be authentic.
• USE HOME BANKING! Regularly log into your online accounts and check your financial institution credit and debit card statements to make sure that all transactions are legitimate.
• Make sure your browser is up to date and security patches applied.
• Report Phishing or Spoofed emails by forwarding the email to:
  • The anti-phishing network at www.antiphishing.com
  • The Federal Trade Commission at www.consumer.gov/idtheft
  • Or the Internet Crime Complaint Center at www.ic3.gov

And Now There's Pharming

A Twist of Phishing which attempts to fool online users through a virus that alters the behavior of internet browsers, thus, redirecting users to a fictitious site when they attempt to log on to their financial institution's web site.

How? This is done by changing -- or "poisoning" -- some of the address information that internet service providers (ISPs) store to increase the speed of web browsing. Some ISPs and companies have a software bug on their computer servers that permits fraudsters to hack in and change those addresses. Protect yourself by:

• Making sure that you land on special secure web pages that use encryption to protect data transfer, a standard practice for any financial web site.
• Always look for the lock icon which confirms that the site with its secure socket layer (SSL) certificate is secure for your information.
• Do not use any site where the lock icon is absent.

Skimming Information from Your Card

Keep your card in sight at all times to avoid "Skimming". Skimming fraud takes many forms, but most often involves a cardholder turning over physical possession of his or her card to a retail or restaurant employee, who then swipes the card through a small, illegal reader called a "skimmer." The skimmer copies the data encoded on the card's magnetic stripe, and then the criminal creates counterfeit cards to rack up illegal charges at consumers', and ultimately credit card issuers', expense. Skimmers can also be placed in ATMs where the card is inserted.

• Use Credit, Debit and ATM Cards safely.
• Always choose credit at the register when using your Visa Debit Card and sign for your transaction to keep your PIN from being observed or skimmed.
• Use only trusted ATM machines -- beware of small ATM machines on the street, or in small establishments as they may contain skimmers.
• Report lost of stolen cards immediately.
• When using your cards do not volunteer any personal information.
• Closely monitor the expiration date on your credit cards. Contact us immediately if you have not received your new card prior to the expiration date.
• Match your card receipts against account transactions. The fastest and easiest way to do this is with Home Banking, so that you don’t have to wait for your monthly statement to view transactions.

WARNING: Spyware!

Spyware is software installed on a computer without the user's knowledge, often through a virus or when a user downloads a free program.

• It is designed to let a hacker eavesdrop, collect personal or confidential information and perhaps track and record a user's activities.
• Spyware can obtain such information as passwords or credit card numbers.
• It often bombards computer users with unwanted ads.

AVOID THE RISK of banking online on public computers like those in hotels, libraries or internet cafes where spyware might have been installed.

Fast Fact -- the FACT Act

According to the Federal Trade Commission -- Identity Theft Resource Center, Identity Theft victims spend 607 hours resolving their case with $1,495 in our of pocket expenses, so be watchful, be careful, and take advantage of THE FACT ACT: Fair and Accurate Credit Transactions Act, passed by Congress which allows all individuals the right to check their credit report once every year.

You can obtain a free credit report once a year from Experian, Equifax and Trans Union.

• Log on to www.AnnualCreditReport.com
• Or call Toll free at 877-322-8228
• Don't be fooled by other websites offering a free credit report

What To Do If You Are A Victim

1. Contact your credit card company and your financial institutions to close your accounts. The FBI suggests that you put passwords (not your mother's maiden name) on any new accounts you open.
2. Call the three major credit bureaus to tell them your identity has been stolen. Request that a "fraud alert" be placed on your file and that no new credit be granted without your approval.

• Equifax: 800-525-6285
• Experian: 888-397-3742
• Trans Union: 800-680-7289

3. Call the Social Security Fraud Hotline -- 800-269-0271.
4. Contact the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) theft hotline -- 877-438-4338 or www.consumer.gov/idtheft
5. File a report with the police, and get a copy of the report in case you need proof of the crime later for credit card companies, etc.

Where to Go for More Information

• Read more articles from Bay Cities on our Consumer Information page
• Download this brochure from the NCUA
• Visa's Security & Protection page
• Federal Trade Commission's Identity Theft home page

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