Tips to Safeguard Your Identity

Tip 1. Remove your name from pre-screened credit offers at www.optoutprescreen.com or call 1-888-567-8688.
Tip 2. Add your telephone number(s) to the National Do Not Call Registry at www.donotcall.gov or call 1-888-382-1222.
Tip 3. Remove your name from individual Direct Mail Association Member mailing lists at www.dmachoice.org.
Tip 4. Place an alert on your credit file if you believe you have been affected by identity theft. Call 1-800-525-6285 or visit www.fraudalerts.equifax.com.
Tip 5. In addition to contacting credit Bureaus, request a credit report and place a fraud alert at www.innovis.com. Click on the Personal Services tab to get a credit report and place an alert on your file.
Tip 6. Avoid carrying Social Security cards, birth certificates or passports and extra credit cards. If you carry a health care card and your Social Security number is used as your ID number, ask if it can be changed.
Tip 7. Avoid using unsecured mailboxes. Promptly remove mail from your mailbox. Deposit outgoing mail containing personal information at your local post office. If you can’t pick up your mail, contact the U.S. Postal Service at 1-800-275-8777 or www.usps.gov to request a vacation hold.
Tip 8. Select intricate passwords – don’t use information that is easily available like your birth date, your mother’s maiden name, phone number, or the last four digits of your Social Security number. Don’t store passwords in your phone or carry them in your purse or wallet.
Tip 9. Shred your mail and important document when disposing of bank statements, credit cards bills, convenience checks, pre-approved credit offers, insurance statements and other documents that may contain personal information.
Tip 10. To avoid being the victim of a phishing scam do not give anyone who calls you any information concerning your account. Remember the credit union already has all your information. We will never call you to ask you for it.

See our website www.1cfcu.org for other information and alerts on Scams, Fraud & Malware & other helpful tips that might affect YOU!