CONSUMER SAFETY TIP

Special Advisory: Identity Theft

Identity theft occurs when a criminal assumes a person’s identity through inappropriate or illegal means. The criminal obtains a victim’s name, address, birth date, and social security number through ‘phishing” which is accomplished by telephone, emails, or the mail or through the most common means which is obtaining discarded mail from trash dumpsters. The criminal assumes the identity of the victim and obtains credit in the victim’s name. By the time the victim realizes the newly charged debt, the criminal has moved on to the next victim. To prevent identity theft, you are encouraged to never give out personal information to anyone that calls you or contacts you via email. If you have access to the internet, it is always a good practice to check your accounts at least once a week to make sure there are not any unfamiliar charges or transfers.

There are several signs which may indicate that you are a victim of identity theft. You may receive calls or letters stating that you have been approved or denied by a creditor for an application that you never submitted. You may receive unknown credit card statements or bills in your name. A collection agency may call and inform you that they are collecting on a defaulted account in your name, which you never opened.

If you feel that you or someone you know is a victim of identity theft, the following steps should be taken:

1) Contact Credit Bureaus

a) Equifax (1-800-525-6285)
b) Experian (1-888-397-3742)
c) Transunion (1-800-680-7289)

2) Contact financial institutions and affected lenders (i.e. credit cards)

3) File and obtain a copy of a police report

4) Call the ID Theft Clearinghouse to report theft

a) Federal Trade Commission (FTC) I D Theft Clearinghouse:
Toll free 1-877-ID-THEFT (438-4338); TTY: 1-866-653-4261

This consumer safety tip advisory is presented by Dixon Foster, Security Officer at Bank of Lancaster.