| Financial fraud and identity fraud are one of | | | | they need your account information or credit |
| the fasted growing forms of fraud. The first | | | | card number to update your account with your |
| line of defense to protecting yourself begins | | | | bank or an online company like e-bay. Never |
| with you. Here are some steps you can take to | | | | give out personal information over e-mail! |
| help you protect and fight against financial | | | | Many times these e-mails will have links for |
| and identity fraud. | | | | you to click on that take you to a website |
| | | | that looks authentic. However more times than |
| 1. Review and Protect Your Information - The | | | | not, it is a scam to get your personal and |
| first line of defense in financial fraud is | | | | financial information. |
| to periodically check your credit report to | | | | |
| ensure all your information is accurate. | | | | 5. Monthly Bills - If your monthly bills stop |
| Remember there are three credit agencies | | | | arriving, take action quickly. Notify the |
| (Equifax, TransUnion, Experian) which all | | | | company right away. Also, review your monthly |
| operate independently. Make sure you check | | | | statements promptly and if you see charges or |
| your credit report from all three because | | | | items on your bills that you do not recognize |
| they may each have different information. | | | | get them resolved immediately. |
| | | | |
| 2. Social Security Number - Keep your social | | | | 6. Incoming / Outgoing Mail - Pick up |
| security number in a safe place with other | | | | incoming mail promptly and do not send |
| financial documents. DO NOT carry your social | | | | outgoing mail in your residential mail box. |
| security card in your wallet and remember to | | | | Make every effort to keep your mail as |
| shred your old social security statements. It | | | | securely as possible when it leaves your |
| is also recommended to not store your social | | | | house. |
| security number on your computer as hackers | | | | |
| may have access to it. Never print your | | | | 7. Age Matters - If you are over the age of |
| social security number on your checks, credit | | | | 50 you are more likely to be targeted for |
| card or drivers licenses. | | | | financial fraud. Therefore, keep this in the |
| | | | back of your mind as you handle your daily |
| 3. Destroy Credit Card Mail Offers and Old | | | | tasks and personal information. |
| Financial Documents -If you receive direct or | | | | |
| pre-approved solicitations in the mail for | | | | 8. Credit Cards / ATMs - Report lost or |
| new credit cards and do not use them make | | | | stolen credit cards and ATM cards |
| sure you shred or tear them up before | | | | immediately. Be sure to carry the 1-800 |
| throwing them away. In addition, shred all | | | | numbers of your bank and credit card company |
| financial papers including cancelled checks, | | | | in your wallet. |
| old bank account statements, or any document | | | | |
| with your identity. | | | | Most analysts forecast financial fraud and |
| | | | identity thief to cause financial loss to |
| 4. Watch Out For E-mail or Telephone | | | | hundreds of thousands people in the next five |
| Fraudsters - Never give your personal or | | | | years and beyond. While fraudsters are very |
| financial information out on the internet or | | | | slick and you can never be 100% safe the |
| phone unless you initiated the contact. This | | | | steps above can assist in you significantly |
| is especially true with giving out your | | | | deterring yourself and family from being a |
| social security or credit card number. Watch | | | | victim. |
| out for e-mails from fraudsters that state | | | | |