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
Protecting Your Information FAQs
What is an Internet Firewall?
Use an Internet firewall. An Internet firewall helps screen out hackers, viruses and worms before they reach your home office computer or Internet network. Check with the manufacturer of your computer operating system (such as Microsoft) to see if it includes firewall protection.
How Do I Keep My Computer Up to Date?
Keep your computer operating system up to date. If your computer is more than five years old, its operating system (e.g. Windows 98, OS 7, etc.) may not offer the same level of protection as newer systems. System manufacturers provide frequent updates to help make your system more secure, possibly automatically, through e-mail or via your Internet connection. You may also check their websites, including:
Microsoft®
Apple Computer®
- Update your software. Regular software updates can be crucial to keeping your home computer as secure as possible.
- Install, run and keep anti-virus software updated. Commercially available virus protection software helps reduce the risk of contracting computer viruses that can compromise your security. These programs offer continuous upgrades in response to the latest threats. Two of the most popular programs are:
How Can I Be Careful with eMail and Instant Messages (IM)?
Even if a message appears to come from someone you know, a file attached to an e-mail message or IM could contain a virus, so be sure to contact the sender by some other means to gain added assurance that the attachment is valid. Also, never reveal personal or financial information in a response to an e-mail request, no matter who appears to have sent it—your home computer may be the target of a phishing scam.
What About Strong Passwords?
Strong passwords give you better security against intrusion by hackers and thieves and should be changed often.
Should I Disconnect From the Internet When I'm Not Using It?
Yes. Dedicated services such as DSL or high-speed cable provide a constant connection between your computer and the Internet. Even if you have a firewall installed, as an additional step to help protect yourself, disconnect from the Internet when not in use to avoid unwanted access to your computer's data.
Should I Only Shop From Websites That Are Secure?
Yes. Make sure the Web page you are viewing offers encryption of your data. Often you will see a lock symbol in the lower right-hand corner of your browser window, or the web address of the page you are viewing will begin with "https://...". The "s" indicates "secured" and means the webpage uses encryption.
What Are Some "Low-Tech" Ways to Protect My Personal Information?
Not all crimes are high tech or involve the computer or Internet. Here are some low-tech ways to reduce your risk of old fashioned thievery.
- Know your billing and statement cycles. Contact the company's customer service department if you stop receiving your regular bill or statement.
- Shred confidential papers, including offers of credit, before discarding them. Or, you can bring your papers to CSCU's annual Fraud Prevention Day in May and we'll shred them for you!
- Never carry your SSN or birth certificate in your wallet.
- Carry as few cards with personal information as possible.
- Don't print your SSN, birthdate or credit card number on your personal checks, and don't allow store clerks to do so.
- Memorize your PIN and passwords. Shield your hand when using an ATM to prevent "shoulder surfers" from obtaining your codes.
- Don't leave your wallet unattended. Vehicle glove compartments and health club locker rooms are spots thieves go to first.
- Choose hard-to-guess PINs and passwords. When choosing passwords for your accounts, don't use your mother's maiden name, family members' birth dates, your pet's name or other easily guessed word or number.
- Do not place outgoing mail in your mailbox. Deposit mail in a U.S. Postal Service mailbox or at the post office to reduce the chance of mail theft.
- Promptly retrieve incoming mail. Collect your mail as soon as possible every day to limit the opportunity for theft.
What Are Some Other Ways I Can Be Safe?
- Write a list of your credit card account numbers, including expirations dates and contact information, and safely store this information in case you need to report lost or stolen cards.
- Review your Social Security Earnings and Benefits statement annually to check for fraud.
- Review your credit report. Look over your credit report regularly—at least yearly—for any inaccuracies. You can get a free credit report once a year from each of the three major credit bureaus at www.annualcreditreport.com. For a small fee you can obtain a copy at any time directly from:
Equifax: 1-800-685-1111 or www.equifax.com
Experian: 1-888-397-3742 or www.experian.com
TransUnion: 1-800-916-8800 or www.transunion.com - Limit the credit offers you receive. To reduce the credit offers you receive and the information companies share about you, contact the National Consumer Credit Reporting Agencies at 1-888-5-OPTOUT (1-888-567-8688).
- Remove your name from marketing lists. The Direct Marketing Association (DMA) notifies its members that they must remove your name from the lists they sell. Their members include the agencies and companies that compile mailing and telemarketing lists. Your name and address remain in the DMA's consumer exclusion files for five years.
Contact the DMA at www.dmaconsumers.org.
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