Steps to Reduce Your Risk of Identity Fraud
With recent major data breaches in the news and the potential for compromised personal information, we encourage you to take steps to minimize your risk and act swiftly if your information is compromised.
Here are some steps that you can take to help protect your identity and reduce the risks of identity theft.
Carefully review account statements
Review financial institution account statements (and account activity through online banking sites) closely. Look for unusual activity. If you notice suspicious activity, contact the financial institution where the account is held as soon as possible.
Enroll in fraud or identity theft protection services available to you or consider purchasing such services
There are many fraud protection services available on the market that provide various forms of protection against identity fraud. Research these services and determine which may be best to cover your needs. Guardian Credit Union offers fraud protection enhancements as a benefit of Assurance and Access Checking accounts. These fraud protection enhancements are available to members with other Guardian checking accounts for a $2.00 per month fee.
Request a free copy of your credit report
You can receive a free copy of your credit report from each of the major credit reporting agencies (Equifax, Experian and TransUnion. Request your credit report by visiting www.AnnualCreditReport.com.
Place a fraud alert or credit freeze on your credit report
A fraud alert makes it more difficult for someone to apply for new credit in your name, while a credit freeze restricts access to your credit report, so new credit cannot be issued. Learn more about credit freezes and fraud alerts in this article from the Federal Trade Commission.
Contact local law enforcement and the FTC
If you experience financial fraud, you will want to file a police report with your local law enforcement. Please keep in mind that you will need to file a police report in the city where you live or where the fraudulent activity occurred. Below are the phone numbers of law enforcement in the municipalities where our branches are located.
- West Milwaukee Police Department – (414) 645-2151
- Menomonee Falls Police Department – (262) 532-8700
- South Milwaukee Police Department – (414) 768-8060
- West Allis Police Department – (414) 302-8000
- Waukesha Police Department – (262) 524-3831
- Oak Creek Police Department – (414) 762-8200
You may also want to file a report with the FTC through the IdentityTheft.gov website, which also helps with creating a plan for recovering from identity theft.
Report cybercrime through the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3)
Reporting cybercrime through IC3 can help protect not only you, but others as well. Filing complaints in this way can help the FBI identify and investigate internet crime. The IC3 site also provides information and education on the latest cyber threats.