Fraud Prevention

  • Watch for unauthorized activity on all of your accounts daily
  • Review your credit report for errors or fraud. You can obtain a free copy from each of the three credit bureaus once a year by going to www.annualcreditreport.com (for additional information about credit reports, please visit Federal Trade Commission Consumer Information)
  • Avoid making your PIN number or password something that can be easily guessed, such as your birthday
  • Do not give out personal information unless you can fully verify that you are communicating with a trusted source
  • Shred documents before throwing them away
  • Consider asking the credit bureaus to place a security alert on your account as a protective measure. Even if you are not a victim of ID Theft, this alert will instruct creditors to call you to verify that an account is being opened in your name.
  • Pick up new checks or credit cards at your bank rather than having them mailed to your home
  • Shield other’s view with your hand when entering your PIN number during a transaction
  • For more information and tips about fraud prevention, please visit these websites:
    FBI - Internet Fraud Center
    Consumer Fraud
    Federal Trade Commission (FTC)
    Internet Crime Complaint Center