 |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Identity Theft:
You have a lot to lose
You have a lot to lose
Armed with little more than the name, address, birth date, and Social Security number of a completely unknowing person,
thieves are illegally obtaining credit cards and access to checking accounts. Others use their newfound identities to apply for
employment, an auto loan, or a driver’s license or even to commit a serious crime. Worse, that unknowing person might be
you. And with Arizona being the high on the list of states hit hard by identity theft, your chances of being a victim are high.
Consumer advocacy groups, such as the Privacy Rights Clearinghouse in San Diego, are receiving an increasing number of
requests for help from victims of a crime that most law enforcement officials call “identity theft.”
For victims, the nightmare might begin when someone steals a wallet or check. Or when someone pilfers financial or other
records with identifying information from a trash can. Or it might occur when the perpetrator legally obtains credit bureau
records while working for a credit grantor (a financial institution, auto dealer, insurance company).
The lengthy process victims endure to untangle the web of fraud is draining both financially and psychologically.
So, what have you got to lose?
Report any suspected identity theft to San Tan CU as soon as you realize it has occurred. And visit the Federal Trade
Commission identity theft Web site (www.consumer.gov/idtheft) to view a copy of its publication, “Id Theft: When Bad Things
Happen to Your Good Name.”
thieves are illegally obtaining credit cards and access to checking accounts. Others use their newfound identities to apply for
employment, an auto loan, or a driver’s license or even to commit a serious crime. Worse, that unknowing person might be
you. And with Arizona being the high on the list of states hit hard by identity theft, your chances of being a victim are high.
Consumer advocacy groups, such as the Privacy Rights Clearinghouse in San Diego, are receiving an increasing number of
requests for help from victims of a crime that most law enforcement officials call “identity theft.”
For victims, the nightmare might begin when someone steals a wallet or check. Or when someone pilfers financial or other
records with identifying information from a trash can. Or it might occur when the perpetrator legally obtains credit bureau
records while working for a credit grantor (a financial institution, auto dealer, insurance company).
The lengthy process victims endure to untangle the web of fraud is draining both financially and psychologically.
So, what have you got to lose?
- Access to credit. A bad credit rating can virtually prohibit you from getting a credit card or any type of loan.
- Use of your checking account funds. You’re likely to show up as a bad risk on retailer’s check verification systems.
- Employment opportunities. A damaged credit report or driving record could take you out of the job market.
- Work time. With passage of the Identity Theft and Assumption Deterrence Act of 1998, victims finally have a federal
law that gives them the right to file police reports and recoup damages. But it takes time to be persistent and assertive
in clearing their names. - Money. Costs can mount when you retain the services of legal counsel.
Report any suspected identity theft to San Tan CU as soon as you realize it has occurred. And visit the Federal Trade
Commission identity theft Web site (www.consumer.gov/idtheft) to view a copy of its publication, “Id Theft: When Bad Things
Happen to Your Good Name.”
We never forget:
"Our #1 reason is you"
"Our #1 reason is you"
For lost or stolen Visa CREDIT
Cards, contact 1-800-808-7230.
For lost or stolen Visa DEBIT Cards,
contact 1-800-554-8969.
Cards, contact 1-800-808-7230.
For lost or stolen Visa DEBIT Cards,
contact 1-800-554-8969.
Don’t Get Hooked
by a Phishing Attack
by a Phishing Attack
Click here for to read the actual
phishing e-mail received by
many of our members and how
you can protect your account.
phishing e-mail received by
many of our members and how
you can protect your account.
Your savings federally insured to at least $100,000 and
backed by the full faith and credit of the U.S.
Government. National Credit Union Administration,
a U.S.Government agency.
backed by the full faith and credit of the U.S.
Government. National Credit Union Administration,
a U.S.Government agency.
We do business in accordance
with the Federal Fair Housing
Laws and the Equal Credit
Opportunity Act.
with the Federal Fair Housing
Laws and the Equal Credit
Opportunity Act.
How to Avoid Becoming A Victim of Identity Theft
published by NCUA - The National Credit Union Administration.
(click here to download the brochure in pdf)
published by NCUA - The National Credit Union Administration.
(click here to download the brochure in pdf)