Don't let identity theft turn your world upside down. If thieves hijack your credit union account or steal your Social Security number or other personal information, they can destroy your credit history and ravage your finances. Taking quick action can help preserve your good name.
Take Back What's Yours
If you or someone you know has been a victim of identity theft, take the following steps:
- Contact Corporate America Family Credit Union at 1-800-359-1939 to protect your accounts.
- Contact your credit card issuers.
- Contact the Social Security Fraud Hotline: 1-800-269-0271.
- Contact the Federal Trade Commission Identity Theft Helpline: 1-877-ID-THEFT (438-4338).
- Contact the consumer credit reporting companies:
Protect Your Good Name
There are many steps you can take to safeguard your identity and assets to avoid becoming a victim:
- Review your accounts regularly and your bills carefully to catch suspicious activity early.
- Retrieve paper mail promptly and never place checks in your personal outgoing mail.
- Request that you not receive paper copies of statements and keep any paper copies you do receive in a safe place.
- Destroy preapproved credit offers that you receive in the mail.
- Sign up for direct deposit to reduce risk of forgery, stolen checks and other forms of fraud.
- Sign up for online bill pay and presentment through a single trusted provider to reduce the exchange of personal information through unsecured mailboxes.
- Use complex passwords that are made up of multiple words and that substitute numbers and characters for some of the letters.
- Change your passwords frequently.
- Never respond to emails that ask you to log in or share account information.
- Use PayPal® when buying and selling on auction sites as an added layer of security for your transaction.
- Sign up for email account alerts so you know right away if there is unauthorized activity within your accounts.
- Avoid transactions with high-risk or unknown online merchants.
- Never give out your Social Security number unless required by law.
- Check in with payees or merchants immediately if account activity looks suspicious or important mail is delayed.
- Ask telemarketers to place you on their “Do Not Call” list or go to donotcall.gov to sign up for the National Do Not Call Registry.
- Delete all personal data from your computer or mobile device before discarding it.
- Keep tabs on your credit rating by reviewing credit reports annually.
- Keep a list of your wallet contents in case of theft.
Learn More about Fraud Prevention
- FTC.gov — The United States Federal Trade Commission website provides information on identity theft and other consumer protection issues.
- AnnualCreditReport.com — Regular reviews of your credit report can help you spot identity theft early and nip it in the bud. Get your free credit report.
