Fraud Prevention - General Information

General Information

Identity theft occurs when someone assumes your identity to perform a fraud or other criminal act. Criminals can get the information they need to assume your identity from a variety of sources, including by stealing your wallet, rifling through your trash, or by compromising your credit or bank information. They may approach you in person, by telephone, or on the Internet and ask you for the information.

• Never give your credit card number over the telephone unless you initiated the call to your bank or credit card company using a known good phone number.
• Reconcile your bank account monthly, and notify your bank of discrepancies immediately.
• Keep a list of telephone numbers to call to report the loss or theft of your wallet, credit cards, etc.
• Report unauthorized financial transactions to your bank, credit card company, and the proper authorities as soon as you detect them.
• Freeze lost credit cards to prevent unauthorized individuals from accessing your funds.

CREDIT REPORT

Review a copy of your credit report at least once each year. Notify the credit bureau in writing of any questionable entries and follow through until they are explained or removed. If your identity has been assumed, ask the credit bureau to print a statement to that effect in your credit report.

Lock or freeze your credit reports unless you are applying for a loan or credit. Only unlock them when needed:

• Equifax - https://www.equifax.com/personal/credit-report-services/credit-freeze/
• Experian - https://www.experian.com/freeze/center.html
• TransUnion - https://www.transunion.com/credit-freeze