What is Identity theft?

Identity theft is a crime in which the imposter obtains key pieces of information such as Social Security, driver's license numbers and account numbers. They use this information for his or her own gain. Victims of this type of crime are left with a tainted reputation and the complicated task of restoring their good names. Here are some of the types of identity theft:

• Financial Identity Theft —This type of case typically focuses on your name and Social Security number (SSN) or account numbers. This person may apply for telephone service, credit cards or loans, buy merchandise, lease cars or apartments.
• Criminal Identity Theft —The imposter in this crime provides the victim's information instead of his or her own when stopped by law enforcement. Eventually when the warrant for arrest is issued it is in the name of the person issued the citation- yours.
• Identity Cloning —In this crime the imposter uses the victim's information to establish a new life. They work and live as you. Examples: Illegal aliens, criminals avoiding warrants, people hiding from abusive situations or becoming a "new person" to leave behind a poor work and financial history.
• Business or Commercial Identity Theft —Businesses are also victims of identity theft. Typically the perpetrator gets credit cards or checking accounts in the name of the business.

How can I protect myself? We have listed several options that will help minimize the risk of your account information or identity from being used by others.

Preventing Account Fraud

• Protect your accounts. Never loan your credit or ATM debit card or share your passwords with anyone who is not authorized on your account. Do not share your account numbers with anyone unless you initiated the contact.
• Report lost or stolen checks or credit cards immediately. Review new checks to make sure none were stolen in transit. Be aware of the expiration date on your credit card; if you do not receive a reissued card before the expiration date, notify customer service.
• Store new and cancelled checks securely and always use tamper-resistant checks. You can have new checks delivered to a branch office to be picked rather than your mailbox.
• Question suspicious emails or phone inquiries. Unless you initiated the contact, Centris will not request your personal information (account number, Social Security number, or mother's maiden name) through an email, U.S. mail, or by phone.
• Guard your ATM and online banking information. Be creative in selecting PINs, passwords and security codes. Do not use birth dates, social security numbers, street address or children's names. Do not store your Pins with your cards.
• Curtail the use of paper documents. Centris has several options such as OnLine account access, Free Bill Pay  & Presentment and FREE OnLine eStatements.
•  Avoid using easily available information like your mother's maiden name, your birth date, the last four digits of your SSN or your phone number, or a series of consecutive numbers or keyboard strokes.

Preventing Identity Theft

• Don't give out financial information online or on the phone unless you initiated the contact, and know the party you're dealing with.
• Shred unnecessary financial documents, including old bank statements, invoices, and unwanted pre-approved credit offers.
• Retrieve incoming mail from your mailbox and don't put outgoing mail in your residential mailbox.
• If regular bills or statements stop reaching you, call the company's customer service. Someone may have filed a false change-of-address notice to divert your mail.
• Receiving suspicious charges on statements? If doubtful call immediately to resolve the discrepancy.
• Keep personal numbers off your checks. Never preprint your driver's license or Social Security number on your checks.
• Never leave your computer unattended while in an OnLine banking session.
• When ending an OnLine banking session be sure to select the "Sign Off" icon to securely log out of your account.

Check your Credit Report

Centris recommends that you check your credit report on a regular basis. Click here to find out how you can check it for FREE.

What Centris is doing to help protect you

As a member of Centris Federal Credit Union, the security of your personal and financial information is extremely important to us. We take every precaution to maintain physical and electronic safeguards to protect your personal and financial information.

For additional information on:
Email scams and fraudulent websites
Who to contact if this happens to you