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Identity TheftIt can happen to anyone. Identity theft continues to be one of the fastest growing crimes in the United States, and has ranked as one of the top consumer concerns for the past several years. While you can’t prevent identity theft from happening to you entirely, you can minimize your risk by taking some preventative steps. By managing your personal information wisely, you can help
guard yourself against Identity Theft.
The Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) has produced a multmedia presentation to help consumers protect themselves from identity theft. The presentation provides information on steps consumers should take to secure their personal computer and protect themselves from identity theft, as well as actions consumers should take if they become a victim of identity theft.
We encourage you to view the presentation by clicking on the following link.
Don't Be an On-line Victim:How To Guard Against Internet Thieves and Electronic Scams.
Macromedia Flash Player is required to view the presentation. The latest version of Macromedia Flash Player can be downloaded at www.macromedia.com/go/getflashplayer.
Macromedia Flash Player installation questions or troubleshooting help can be found at http://www.macromedia.com/support/flash/
What You Can Do Today- Order a copy of your credit report once a year and verify that the information contained within your credit report is accurate. You may order your credit report online by clicking on one of the following website links or by calling one of the toll free numbers. (The credit card agencies may charge you a fee for your credit card report).
Equifax
www.equifax.com
800-685-1111
Experian
www.experian.com888-397-3742
TransUnion
www.transunion.com
800-888-4213
- Never write or give your ATM/Debit card Personal Indentification Number (PIN) to anyone.
- Never give out personal information such as your checking or savings account number, credit card number or social security number, through the mail, telephone or Internet, unless you have initiated the contact and you are certain that the company is reputable.
- Report – to the bank – any lost or stolen ATM/Debit card or lost or stolen personal checks.
- Balance your checking or savings account statement every month and report any unauthorized transactions to the bank immediately.
- Guard your mail from theft. Deposit outgoing mail in post office collection boxes or the local
post office, rather than your unsecured mailbox. Promptly remove incoming mail from your mailbox and notify the post
office if you’ll be away from your home and can’t pick up your mail.
- Guard your trash from theft. Shred your charge receipts, credit card applications, insurance forms, old checks, bank statements, anything that contains any of your personal identification.
- Give out your Social Security Number only when absolutely necessary.
If You're a Victim of Identity TheftEven if you’ve been extremely careful, Identity Theft may strike. If you suspect that your identity has been misused to commit fraud, take immediate action.
- Call the ID Theft Clearinghouse toll free at 877-438-4338 to report the theft.
- Contact the fraud departments of each of the credit agencies.
Equifax
www.equifax.com
800-525-6285
Experian
www.experian.com
888-397-3742
TransUnion
www.transunion.com
800-888-4213
- Contact the bank and credit card companies immediately to stop access to your accounts.
- File a police report with your local police department or the police in the community in which the identity theft occurred.
- Maintain a written log of what has happened to you, the steps that you have taken, and the names of the people that you have spoken to.
Secure Online Banking ServiceWhen you visit our website and use our Online Banking Service to access your accounts, you may be assured that our Online Banking website is a secured site, allowing only you, access to your accounts, with the use of your user ID and password.
Summary
Northampton Cooperative Bank
67 King Street
PO Box 150
Northampton, MA 01060
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