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