Protect Your Personal Identity
Your safety is our priority. We regularly assess and enhance our protection measures for you and your credit union accounts. Through regular technology audits, we shield your data from threats. New security features are continuously adopted to secure your transactions. We partner with companies that share our commitment to consumer privacy and robust security protocols.
Explore below for insights on guarding against identity theft.
- Review your credit reports. You are entitled to a free copy of your credit report every 12 months from each of the three nationwide credit reporting agencies (TransUnion, Experian and Equifax). You can request all three at the same time, or order one every four months. To request your credit report, visit annualcreditreport.com. You can also call or visit the credit union and have us conduct a free personalized credit review.
- Review your billing statements and credit union account statements. If there are mistakes on your statement or it doesn't get delivered to you on time, contact the credit union right away.
Shred your sensitive documents. This includes receipts, credit offers and applications, account statements, unused checks, and other similar documents that contain your private information. - Legitimate companies will never ask you for personal information via email, text or phone messages. If you receive messages requesting things like your Social Security number or credit card number, delete them.
Create complex passwords for your online accounts that include letters, numbers and special characters. Don't use the same password on more than one account. - Use only encrypted sites when you bank or shop online. Encrypted sites have "https" at the beginning of the web address (the "s" stands for secure).
- Keep your computer protected by using anti-virus and anti-spyware software.
- Don't open files, click on links, or download programs sent to you by people you don't know. It could expose your system to a virus or malicious software that captures your passwords or other sensitive information.
More information about protecting your identity can be found on the Federal Trade Commission's website.
- Flag your credit reports. Call one of the three nationwide credit reporting agencies and request a fraud alert be placed on your report. Whichever one you call must work with the other two agencies so they as well can flag your report. The initial fraud alert is good for 90 days.
- TransUnion: www.transunion.com 1-800-680-7289
- Experian: www.experian.com 1-888-397-3742
- Equifax: www.equifax.com 1-800-525-6285
- Order your credit reports. Each agency's report can be a little different, so it's good to review all three of them at once if you are a victim of identity theft. Read the reports carefully to see if the information is correct. If you see errors or signs of fraud, contact the agency reporting it immediately.
- Contact the credit union so we can review your accounts. Identity theft can also impact your account balances if your debit card or checks have been compromised. Completing a full review of all your accounts will help you find errors faster.
- Create an Identity Theft Report. This can help you get fraudulent information removed from your credit report, stop companies from collecting debts caused by identity theft, and help you get additional information about the fraudulent accounts. To create one of these reports:
- File a complaint with the FTC. You can also call 1-877-438-4338. You will receive something called an FTC Affidavit after filing a complaint.
- Take the Affidavit to your local police department and file a police report. Be sure to get a copy of the police report for your records.
Additional information on what to do if your identity is stolen can be found on the Federal Trade Commission's website.
Source: www.mycreditunion.gov
Identity thieves will pose as credit union representatives and contact consumers either by phone call or text message in this popular scam. Consumers are led to believe their account information has been compromised and they are instructed to provide personal information or click a link in order to authenticate their accounts. Account information is compromised or clicking the link installs malicious software on the user's device. Consumers should avoid providing personal information when they did not initiate the call or text message. Dutch Point Credit Union will never request personal information via text message.
Source: www.consumer.ftc.gov
Are you getting pop-up warning messages on your computer screen? Or maybe a phone call that your computer has a virus? That may well be a tech support scam. But how do you know? And what do you do? Scammers love to sound legit by pretending to be from a real company, like Microsoft or Apple. They’ll make your computer “problem” sound urgent, trying to get you to act before you have time to think. They’ll ask you for access to your computer, your bank or credit card number, or for money. But that’s not how real tech support works. So, before you click the link in the pop up or call that number, stop. Talk to someone you trust. And remember: Never share your bank account, credit card, or Social Security number with anyone who contacts you. Somebody who tells you to pay with a gift card, money transfer, or Bitcoin is a scammer. Always.
Source: https://consumer.ftc.gov/
Online dating is more popular now than ever, and fraudsters are using this channel as a way to try and steal your money. In this emerging scam, fraudsters create fake profiles on dating sites and social media platforms. The profiles are filled with just enough material to make them look real to an unsuspecting eye. They will frequently claim to be outside of the United States, and often claim they are in the military, which is why they can only communicate online. The fraudster will then form a “relationship” with their targets, building trust and a sense of romance and emotional connection. This process can span months, until the scammer feels it’s time to strike – they tap into the bond they’ve built and ask you to send money to them for a problem or need they are facing. If you find yourself communicating with someone online who matches this profile, stop all contact immediately. If you are asked to provide money for a plane ticket or medical expenses, or you are asked to wire money or send gift cards due to an emergency, don’t do it. While the love and romance can feel real, this is most definitely a scam.