IDENTITY THEFT:  YOUR NAME AND CREDIT HISTORY ARE ON THE LINE

Identity Theft is the fraudulent use of an individual’s personal identifying information.  The FBI says identity theft is the fastest growing white-collar crime in the nation.  Often, identity thieves will use another individual’s personal information such as a social security number, mother’s maiden name, date of birth or account number to fraudulently open new credit card accounts, charge existing credit card accounts, write checks, open other bank accounts or obtain new loans.  They obtain this information by:  stealing wallets that contain personal identification information and credit cards, stealing bank statements from the mail, diverting mail from its intended recipients by submitting a change of address form, rummaging through trash for personal data, stealing personal identification information from workplace records or intercepting/obtaining information that was transmitted electronically.

PROTECT YOURSELF AGAINST IDENTITY THEFT

• Be absolutely positive of the identity of anyone telephoning you to request personal information.  Be especially cautious of anyone claiming to be a law enforcement official.  Arrange to call the person back, using a telephone number you can verify in the phone book.  Be aware that this financial institution does not contract third parties to solicit any service.  We would only do so after giving proper notification to each customer.
  
• Do not give personal information such as account numbers or social security numbers over the telephone, through the mail or over the Internet unless you initiated the contact or know with whom you are dealing.
  
• Store personal information in a safe place and tear up old credit card receipts, ATM receipts, old account statements and unused credit card offers before throwing them away.
  
• Protect your PINs and other passwords.  Avoid using easily available information such as your mother’s maiden name, your birth date, the last four digits of your SSN, your phone number, etc.
  
• Carry only the minimum amount of identifying information and number of credit cards that you need.
  
• Pay attention to billing cycles and statements.  Inquire of the company if you do not receive an anticipated bill.  It may mean that the bill has been diverted by an identity thief.
  
• Check account statements carefully to ensure all charges, checks or withdrawals were authorized.
  
• Guard your mail from theft.  If you have the type of mailbox with a flag to signal that the box contains mail, do not leave bill payment envelopes in your mailbox with the flag up.  Instead, drop them in a post office collection box or at the local post office.  Promptly remove incoming mail.
  
• Order copies of your credit report from each of the three major credit bureaus once a year to ensure they are accurate.  There may be a nominal fee for these reports.
  

IF YOU BECOME A VICTIM OF IDENTITY THEFT

If you believe that someone has stolen your identity, you should:

• Contact the fraud department of one of the three major credit bureaus.  The following is a list of phone numbers for each of the three major credit bureaus:

EQUIFAX:  to order a credit report, call:  800-685-1111, or to report fraud, call:  800-525-6285/TDD:  800-255-0056

EXPERIAN:  to order a credit report or report fraud, call:  888-EXPERIAN (397-3742)/TDD:  800-972-0322

TRANSUNION:  to order a credit report, call:  800-916-8800, or to report fraud, call:  800-680-7289.

You may request a free copy of your credit report.  Credit bureaus must provide a free copy of your report, if you have reason to believe the report is inaccurate because of fraud and you submit a request in writing.

The three nationwide credit reporting companies have agreed to follow the same process:  the company receiving the call will tell the victim about the program and will electronically notify the other two companies about the crime.

• Contact any bank or other creditors where you have accounts advising them of your identity theft.  Request that they restrict access to your account, change your account password or close your account if there is evidence that your account has been the target of criminal activity.  If your bank closes your account, ask them to issue you a new credit card, ATM card, debit card or checks as appropriate.
  
• File a report with your local police department.

The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) is the Federal government’s primary agency for dealing with identity theft matters.  They operate a hotline devoted only to identity theft.  The toll-free number is 1-877-IDTHEFT (438-4338).  They can also be reached through their website at Consumer ID Theft.

Remember, protecting yourself against identity theft is chiefly your responsibility.  You are in the best position to protect your own identity by taking some of these precautions.

Information provided by:

MARION CENTER BANK
1-800-556-6262
MEMBER FDIC
EQUAL HOUSING LENDER