Central State Credit Union Cares About Your Financial Security
CSCU is committed to educating you about fraud and identity theft. This section is devoted to explaining some of the more prevalent scams and frauds, and includes ways you can protect yourself. For more information on possible risks to your financial security and how to protect your identity, visit the Federal Trade Commission's website.
Steps CSCU Takes to Keep Your Personal Information Safe
Review our Privacy Policy to learn how CSCU takes all precautions to keep your personal information safe.
Report Fraud or Suspicious Activity
Identity Theft FAQs
Identity theft occurs when someone uses your personal information, such as your name, Social Security number or credit card number, without your permission, to commit fraud or other crimes. The FTC estimates that as many as 9 million Americans have their identities stolen each year.
How does Identity Theft Occur?
Skilled identity thieves use a variety of ways to gain access to your personal information.
- They may steal your wallet or purse.
- They may steal your personal information through e-mail or the phone. This is done by pretending they represent a legitimate company and claiming that you have a problem with your account. This practice is known as online "phishing" or "pretexting" by phone.
- They may steal your credit or debit card numbers by capturing the information in a data storage device, which is a practice known as "skimming."
- They may swipe your card for an actual purchase or attach a device to an ATM machine where they may enter or swipe your card.
- They may retrieve your credit reports by abusing authorized access.
- They may rummage through your trash, the trash of businesses or public trash dumps, in a practice known as "dumpster diving."
- They may steal personal information they find in your home.
- They may steal your mail from your mailbox, including bank and credit card statements, credit card offers, new checks and tax information.
- They may complete a "change of address form" to divert your mail to another location.
- They may steal credit card files from other companies, such as department stores, vendors, suppliers, etc.
What Do Thieves Do With Your Personal Information?
Once identity thieves have your personal information, they may use it to commit fraud or theft. For example:
- They may call your credit card issuer to change the billing address on your account. The imposter then runs up charges on your account. Because the bills are being sent to a different address, it may be some time before you realize there's a problem.
- They may open new credit card accounts in your name. When they use the credit cards and don't pay the bills, the delinquent accounts are reported on your credit report.
- They may establish phone or wireless service in your name.
- They may open a bank account in your name and write bad checks on the account.
- They may create counterfeit checks or credit or debit cards, or authorize electronic transfers in your name and drain your account.
- They may get identification, such as a driver's license issued with their picture in your name.
- They may get a job or file fraudulent tax returns in your name.
How Can You Tell If You Are a Victim of Identity Theft?
If an identity thief is opening new credit accounts in your name, these accounts are likely to show up on your credit report. You can find out by ordering a copy of your credit report from the three nationwide credit reporting agencies. If you have lost any personal information or, if it has been stolen, you may want to check all your reports more frequently for the first year. You are entitled to one free credit report from each of the three agencies each year. To find out more, go to www.annualcreditreport.com.
Monitor the balances of your financial accounts each month. Look for unexplained charges or withdrawals. Other indications of identity theft can be:
- Failing to receive bills or other mail. This could mean an identity thief has submitted a change of address.
- Receiving credit cards for which you did not apply.
- Denial of credit for no apparent reason.
- Receiving calls from debt collectors or companies about merchandise or services you didn't buy.
What Are Some Ways I Can Protect Myself From Identity Theft?
The Federal Trade Commission, the nation's consumer protection agency, wants you to have the information you need to protect yourself against identity theft. This information is summed up in the FTC's clear and concise message on identity theft: Deter, detect, defend.
- DETER identity thieves by safeguarding your information.
- DETECT suspicious activity by routinely monitoring your financial accounts and billing statements.
- DEFEND against ID theft as soon as you suspect a problem.
Get more details on how you can DETER, DETECT and DEFEND against identity theft.
What Do I Do If My Identity Is Ever Stolen?
Please refer to the detailed steps outlined on the Federal Trade Commission's website. If you have a CSCU checking account, you can use our comprehensive identity theft services, IdentitySecureTM.
Tell a Friend
ABSOLUTELY FREE CHECKING
NO MONTHLY SERVICE CHARGE
Finally, a free checking that is actually free. Visit a branch today.
PLUS, all the great not-so-standard checking features are included with all CSCU Checking Accounts.