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Avoiding Identity Theft
Identity theft is a growing concern for consumers and law enforcement individuals alike. In the US, 1 in 4 adults have been victims of identity theft, with over 1,000 adults falling victim to the crime each day. Specifically, identity theft is an attempt to obtain personal information without an individual's knowledge, with the intent to commit fraud or theft.
Below are some resources that you can use to familiarize yourself more with identity theft and help guard yourself against this crime. |
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Video
A 10-minute educational video that provides an overview of identity theft and outlines the steps consumers can take
Click to take quiz
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- The Federal Trade Commission website provides an overview of the crime, and explains how identity thieves work, how to protect yourself, and what to do if you are a victim.
- First National Bank offers free seminars for organizations and groups looking to learn more about the crime. For further details or to arrange a seminar, please contact our Marketing Coordinator at marketing@fnbwellington.com.
- Reviewing your credit report on a yearly basis can help detect unauthorized activity and fraud. The Fair and Accurate Credit Transactions Act of 2003 (FACT Act) enables you to receive a free copy of your credit report once a year. Visit www.annualcreditreport.com to request your free credit report. It is also recommended that you order your credit report from each of the three credit reporting agencies (Equifax, Experian, and Trans Union) so that you can be sure they are reporting accurate information regarding your credit history.
- Beyond entitlement to an annual, free credit report, the FACT Act has other provisions for consumers. If you are a victim of Identity theft, you may receive additional, free credit reports and will only need to make a single telephone call to receive advice, set off a nationwide fraud alert, and protect your credit rating. Additionally, identity theft victims who file police reports will be able to block fraudulent information from appearing on their credit report. The above-mentioned provisions are just a few aspects of the FACT Act. There are numerous resources on the internet regarding the FACT Act, and we suggest doing an internet search to learn more.
- The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has a section on their website called, "Take Charge: Fighting Back Against Identity Theft" The section describes how your identity can be stolen, steps to take if your identity is stolen, and sample letters that identity theft victims can use to inform creditors and credit reporting agencies to block fraudulent accounts from credit reports. Click the link above to view the information online or to print a PDF version.
- The use of online services, such as Internet Banking and eStatements can also help you monitor your account activity for fraud. Internet Banking lets you check your accounts on a daily basis, while eStatements delivers your monthly account statement to you faster than the US Postal mail.
If You Become a Victim
How can you tell if you've become a victim of fraud?
- Unexplained charges or withdrawals from your financial accounts
- Failing to receive bills or other account information
- Receiving calls from collectors or companies about credit you didn't apply for, or merchandise or services you didn't buy
- Receiving credit cards for which you did not apply
- Receiving bills from unfamiliar sources
- Receiving letters that ask you to confirm address changes that you did not initiate
- Denial of credit for no apparent reason
TAKE THE QUIZ!
Contact First National Bank with additional questions regarding personal information security threats.
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