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ID Theft: Don't Become a Victim!
The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) receives more than 86,000 complaints annually from victims of identity theft.
When it happens, people take your name, Social Security Number (SSN), credit card or some other piece of your personal information for their use. They then use this information without your knowledge to commit fraud or theft.
Armed with personal data, such as your SSN, date of birth and mother's maiden name, identity thieves can take over your existing accounts, open new ones, and obtain credit cards, a passport, a driver’s license, Social Security benefits and loans. They can change your mailing address. And they can cost you irreplaceably in money and reputation.
Test Yourself: What's your Identity Theft IQ?
Steps to Protect Yourself
Here are some simple steps you can take to protect yourself and your personal information:
- NEVER GIVE OUT your personal information. This includes account numbers, expiration dates, SSN, passwords or Personal Identification Numbers (PINs) to anyone. Always safeguard this information to keep it confidential.
- Watch out for phishing scams in which someone calls or emails you and claims to be from one of your financial institutions or service providers (Internet provider, credit card company, etc.) and wants to "verify" your information. Hang up and call the company back using a telephone number you find (NOT ONE THEY GIVE YOU) to check whether it was a legitimate inquiry or to notify them about these abuses.
- Minimize your creditors. Cancel unused credit cards.
- Clean out your wallet. Limit the amount of identification and the number of credit cards you carry.
- Use only secure Web sites when making transactions over the Internet. Look for the "lock" icon on the Web page.
- Don't leave envelopes with checks inside in an unsecured mailbox. Try to use a sealed U.S. Post Office mailbox for your correspondence. If you have an "open" mailbox, make an effort to pick up your mail promptly. Don't leave mail in your mailbox overnight or on weekends.
- Completely destroy or shred copies of credit card receipts, statements from financial institutions, tax returns and loan applications before discarding them. Keep the ones you need in a SECURE place.
- Look for statements from financial institutions and verify that the account information is correct. By signing up for Navy Federal's Account Access, you'll be provided with an excellent means of reviewing your Navy Federal accounts at your convenience. Sign up now for Account Access. Through Account Access you'll be able to suppress paper statements—security & convenience!
- Watch for unexplained interruptions in your mail service. If there is one, contact your local post office and verify that your address has not been changed without your knowledge.
- Review a copy of your credit report at least once a year. Get your free copy at www.annualcreditreport.com. Learn more about credit reports at Understanding Credit Reports & Your Credit Score.
Information on ID Theft, Security Breaches, Fraud and Phishing
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