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The act in which someone uses your name, Social Security number or any other personal, financial, or medical information without your permission to commit fraud or other crimes. Threats like phishing, vishing, malware or hacking can lead to identity theft.
How do you protect against any threat in your life? Knowledge and knowing what to look for, Education is the number one protection against the threat of Identity theft. CertusBank cares about your Identity and we want to help educate you on some common types of Identity theft and how to keep watch on yourself.
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is an email scam sent out to steal your personal information. Most phishing emails claim to be from a company you know or use like you financial Institution, credit card companies, etc. These emails may state that there is a problem with your account or other things that lure you into handing over your personal information. Remember CertusBank will never email or call you to ask for your personal information.
is similar to phishing with the exception, instead of receiving an email you may receive a call requesting you to verify your information. CertusBank will never call you and ask you to verify your account information.
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is another form of phishing. Instead of receiving and email this form is sent through text messaging. CertusBank will never send you a text asking for any information.
- When in doubt check it out. Do not use links or numbers from suspicious message. Hang up or close out of the message and contact the company by a phone number you know is valid for the location.
- These messages usually threaten harsh consequences if you do not act like closing your account or blocking your card.
- Do not respond to or click on any links or call any numbers within the suspicious message. Close out of the message, delete the message or hang up immediately.
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- Protect your computer from Internet crimes.
- Make sure you have anti-virus and anti- spyware software installed on your computer, keep them updated and run scans often.
- Use strong hard to figure out passwords on secure sites.
- Be careful browsing the internet and watch what you download and how your computer acts. Spyware can be downloaded very easily and can cause frequent pop-ups, errors and slowness.
- Are you careful using public computers? Browsing information can be stored in history and cookies on computers. If the computer is available to others and you perform personal transactions, these may be available to others.
- Don’t make it easy for criminals to steal your information.
- Use a paper shredder to dispose of papers with account or personal information.
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- Balance statements and accounts immediately. Be the watch guard over your account and make sure you do not see unauthorized activity. Report these items immediately to the institution.
- Review your credit reports, watch for unauthorized activity debts or accounts. Verify your address and other personal information is correct.
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- Put a fraud alert on your credit report. Contact any one of the three nationwide credit reporting companies, and ask them to put a fraud alert on your credit report:
• Experian: 1-800-525-6285
• Experian: 1-888-397-3742
• TransUnion: 1-800-680-7289
The one company you call must contact the others. They also will place fraud alerts on your file.
A fraud alert can make it harder for an identity thief to open any accounts in your name. The alert stays on your credit report for at least 90 days. After you create an Identity Theft Report, you can ask for an extended alert on your file.
- Contact CertusBank, other financial institutions, credit card companies, or other related vendors immediately
- File an identity theft complaint with the FTC.
• Experian: 1-800-525-6285
• Experian: 1-888-397-3742
• TransUnion: 1-800-680-7289
- File a report with the local Police
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