Protect Your Personal Information
don't be a victim
Thieves steal personal information such as social security numbers, driver's license numbers, credit card numbers and even birth certificates and passports. Accounts are then opened in the victim's name for credit cards and loans with the mail diverted to a different address.
With this approach, it could take months or years to learn that you are a victim.
Here are some helpful tips:
Remove mail promptly from your mailbox
Guard your social security number
Be very careful with receipts
Review your credit report from time to time
Destroy pre-approved credit card offers before you throw them out
Account for all new checkbooks when you receive them
Block your ATM transactions with your body
Commit all passwords and personal identification numbers to memory
AND Be creative when you select a password. DON'T be obvious like using your mother's maiden name, the last four digits of your social security number, phone number, address, birth date, or any format that could easily be decoded by thieves.
Monitor Your Credit with Alert Me 
Understanding Internet Fraud
precautions you should take
The term "phishing" is used to define internet fraud. The scammer will use legitimate business names and even logos in email communications to consumers. The disguise is used to make you feel that you are communicating with your financial institution.
Common "phishing" messages may be: "We suspect an unauthorized transaction...please click the link below to confirm your identity" or "we couldn't verify your information. Click here to update and verify." These are scams.
Like many cons and scams, "phishing" preys on the unwary. Here's how credit union members can fight back against fraud.
NEVER respond to an unsolicited email that asks for your account number, user name, credit card number or personal identification numbers. (Unsolicited means that you did not initiate the contact.) E-mail messages that ask for this type of information are fraudulent and should be reported immediately. We will never contact you and ask for this information or ask you to verify PIN, passwords or personal information.
REPORT anything suspicious to the proper authorities. Alert the credit union or government agency identified in the suspect e-mail through a Web address or telephone number that you know is legitimate.
CONTACT the Internet Crime Complaint Center at www.ifccfbi.gov - a partnership between the FBI and the National White Collar Crime Center - If you think you have received phishing e-mail or have been directed to a "phishy-looking" web site.
If you are a victim, contact Balance for free assistance with Identity Theft
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