Identity Theft: What You Need to Know
Identity theft (or "true name fraud") occurs when a criminal obtains and uses a consumer's personal information such as credit card numbers, bank account numbers, insurance information, and Social Security numbers to purchase goods or services fraudulently. Generally, criminals will do this by opening new accounts in your name, purchasing products, and then leaving you to pay the bill.
One of the reasons we ask for ID when you make a withdrawal is to help protect your accounts against identity theft and fraudulent transactions.
Here are some suggestions from the State of Ohio Attorney General:
If Your Purse or Wallet is Stolen
Immediately file a police report and send copies of the report to your financial institution, credit card companies, and insurance company.
Cancel credit card and bank accounts and have new accounts opened with new numbers.
Report lost or stolen credit cards to the three national credit-reporting agencies in writing (Trans Union, Experian, and Equifax). This is important because if a criminal attempts to fraudulently charge your accounts, you will have established a written record with the credit-reporting agencies of the theft of loss of your cards, You may add a "victim statement" to your records explaining the circumstances under which your cards were lost or stolen. This may protect your credit if fraudulent charges are made to your accounts. You may also ask to be contacted before any new credit is granted in your name.
If You are a Victim of Identity Theft
Immediately contact the police and file a police report. Notify the credit union/financial institutions and credit card companies of the fraud. Send copies of the police report to your bank and credit card companies. Obtain an Identity Theft Verification Passport (if in Ohio) from law enforcement.
Immediately cancel credit card and credit union/financial institution accounts and have new accounts opened with new numbers.
Ohio University Credit Union Credit Card Lost/Stolen Numbers:
Visa Check & Cash Card (Debit card): 1-800-500-1044
After hours Credit Card Number : 1-800-325-3678
During business hours, you can call the Credit Union.
Contact the creditors of any accounts that have been tampered with or fraudulently used.
Contact the fraud department of one of the three national credit bureaus. Add a "fraud alert" to your credit file to aid in the prevention of further fraudulent activities.
Once your fraud alert is confirmed, the other two credit bureaus will be automatically notified. The fraud alert requests creditors to contact you before opening any new accounts or making any changes to your existing accounts.
Experian http://www.experian.com/
To report fraud call: 1-(888) EXPERIAN (397-3742)
Equifax http://www.equifax.com/
To report fraud call: 1- (800) 525-6285
Trans Union http://www.transunion.com/
To report fraud call: 1-(800) 680-7289
Warning Signs of Identity Theft
- You receive bills from a credit account you did not open.
- You see unauthorized charges on your credit, long distance, or bank accounts.
- You are contacted by a collection agency regarding a debt you did not incur.
- Checks disappear from your checkbook.
- Credit Union and credit billing statements don't arrive on time.
- Your credit report shows accounts you did not authorize.
- You are turned down for a credit card, loan, mortgage, or other form of credit due to unauthorized debts on your credit report.
IDENTITY THEFT RESOURCES
Federal Trade Commission
Your national resource for ID theft
http://www.ftc.gov/idtheft
Protect Yourself Against Identity Theft
Attorney General State of Ohio
Protecting Your Information
Identity Theft Prevention and Survival
http://www.identitytheft.org/
Social Security Administration
http://www.ssa.gov/
These links will take you out of the credit union's web site. OUCU is not liable for the content or availability of any linked sites.
