Ways to Prevent Identity Theft

Armed with discarded credit card receipts, checks or deposit slips, today's career criminals are making unauthorized transactions from victims' accounts and even opening new, fraudulent, credit card and checking accounts.
 
How to prevent identity theft:

1. Stay up to date. View our online videos from cyber-security expert Jim Stickley to stay aware of recent fraud trends. 
2. Protect yourself when shopping online. New technology allows online vendors to ensure customers reasonable security from online theft. If you doubt the security of the vendor, order the items from another site or by telephone. Enroll in V.me by Visa to easily and securely make online purchases without having to re-enter your credit card or shipping information.
3. Limit the paper trail. Store receipts in a safe place or shred them, especially where account numbers are visible. Destroy blank checks from closed accounts, expired or unused credit cards, and shred any credit card receipts. Enroll in SDCCU’s online banking, eStatements, eNotices and eServices.
4. Examine all of your financial statements. Promptly reconcile your monthly bank account statements. Save check stubs, credit, debit and ATM receipts. Report discrepancies between your records and monthly statements to the appropriate company. Order a free credit report once a year from all three credit reporting agencies and review your file to ensure it’s accurate and doesn't include debts or activities you haven't authorized or incurred.
5. Beware of phone and text scams. Never give your account number, PIN or any other personal financial information to an unknown caller or suspicious text message. When in doubt, call the company back at their main phone number.
6. Guard your purse or wallet. Thieves often target unoccupied vehicles, unlocked office drawers and health club locker rooms.
7. Protect your personal identification number (PIN). Never keep your ATM PIN in the same place as your card.
8. Check your mail. If you haven't received mail for a few days, you may be the victim of mail diversion fraud. This scam involves the forging of an individual's signature on a change-of-address form to divert your mail and obtain financial information. If you suspect your address has been changed without your permission, contact the post office.
9. Track financial statements. Find out when financial statements and plastic cards are due to arrive. If they're late, contact SDCCU or the appropriate issuer.
10. View a copy of the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) publication: "Take Charge: Fighting Back Against Identity Theft."

If you think you've become a victim of identity theft or fraud, act immediately to minimize the damage to your personal funds and financial accounts, as well as your reputation. Here's a list of actions you should take right away to protect yourself:

• Call the fraud units of the three major credit bureaus and request a "fraud alert" be placed on your credit file.
  • Equifax - (800) 525-6285
  • Experian - (888) 397-3742
  • TransUnion - (800) 680-7289
• Order copies of your credit report from the credit bureaus to check whether any fraudulent accounts were opened without your knowledge or consent.
• Check your monthly financial statements for accuracy.
• If the crime involved the U.S. Mail, contact your nearest U.S. Postal Inspection Service office and report it.
• Contact your financial institutions and creditors, by phone and in writing, and report the crime. You may be advised to close some or all of your accounts. At the very least, alter your Personal Identification Number (PIN) and passwords immediately.
• Record the names and phone numbers of people with whom you discussed your case and retain all original reports and supporting documents. Keeping accurate and complete records are a big step toward helping you resolve your problem.
• Contact your financial institutions and request they flag your accounts. Instruct them to contact you immediately if there is unusual activity on your accounts.
• File your concern online with the Federal Trade Commission (FTC). The FTC has counselors to assist identity theft victims with resolving financial and other problems that can result from this crime.

You now have access to a free copy of your credit report, thanks to the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA). At your request, the three major credit reporting agencies - Equifax, Experian and TransUnion are required to provide you with a free copy of your credit report once every 12 months. You can space out your requests and request one every few months. Request your free credit reports online by visiting annualcreditreport.com, by calling (877) 322-8228 or by completing the Annual Credit Request Form and mailing it to: Annual Credit Report Request Service, PO Box 105281, Atlanta, GA 30348-5281.

Get Your Credit Report

Phishing, pronounced “fishing” is a form of identity theft. It occurs when someone acts as if they are representing an organization and tries to “hook” the consumer into providing personal information. With a name and any personally identifying information, the identity thief can apply for credit in the consumer’s name and damage the consumer’s financial reputation for years to come. Phishing can occur through various forms of communication including: email, telephone and fake websites.
 
Other forms of phishing include vishing and smishing. Vishing refers to the use of the telephone to obtain your personal information. The callers use telephone solicitation and telephone call back techniques to prey upon consumer's trust. Smishing refers to the use of text messaging to try and obtain personal account information from you.
 
SDCCU will never ask you for personal information (as defined below) in an email or text message or direct you to call a phone number in an email, other than the main SDCCU call back number (877) 732-2848.
 
The only exception to this is that SDCCU does utilize a fraud monitoring company for Visa/PIN transactions; therefore, you may receive a phone call to verify card usage. Learn more and verify the callback number under card protection.
 
If you responded to such an email, text or phone call and provided any personal information, please notify SDCCU immediately and change your Internet Branch online banking Password (this can be done through Internet Branch Self Service).
 
If you feel that you have received a fraudulent message, please email abuse@sdccu.com and forward any email or phone instructions that you might have received. If you are asked to call a suspicious phone number regarding your account, call our main phone number, (877) 732-2848, to reach us.
 
Personal information is defined as the individual’s first name or initial and last name in combination with any of the following data elements: Social Security number, driver’s license number or California Identification card number, or account number, credit card number, debit card number, in combination with any required security code, access code or password (PIN) that would permit access to an individual's financial account(s).