HOW TO COMBAT SCAMS AND IDENTITY THEFT

Scams and identity theft are the top consumer complaints made to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC). The FTC's annual look at its Consumer Sentinel Network database of complaints found that the agency received more than 3 million complaints overall in 2018, with 15 percent related to identity theft.

For example, a simple letter received in the mail could look innocent enough. Its message only asks that you return a phone call to your “mortgage company.” It has the name of your credit union right on the address, so most of us would return that call right away. Even as you call the number, it sounds like the information being asked by the automated system is information that anyone would request in order to pull up your account.

However, the information is instead being collected by the scammers with an ulterior motive. The best course of action is to call the credit union directly. Most financial institutions, like Alive Credit Union, list their main contact number directly on their website. Call to verify that the institution was the one that sent the letter.

In 2018, there were 14.4 million victims of identity theft. According to Javelin Strategy, each case cost the victim an average of $1,050—and that’s only the cost in dollars. When an individual’s identity is stolen, the thief wreaks major havoc on the victim’s financial health, which can take months, or even years, to recover from.

Fortunately, there are steps you can take to prevent yourself from becoming the next victim. Here is your complete guide to identity theft protection:

n Monitor your credit. You can check your credit score for free on sites like CreditKarma.com and order an annual report once a year from each of the three credit reporting agencies at AnnualCreditReport.com. Alive Credit Union also offers free credit monitoring right inside online banking, in partnership with SavvyMoney. Check your score for any sudden hits and look through your reports for suspicious activity. n Use multi-factor authentication. When banking online, or using any other service that utilizes sensitive information, always choose multi-factor authentication. If possible, use your thumbprint as one means of identification. n Use strong, unique passwords. Never use identical passwords for multiple accounts. The strongest passwords use a variety of letters, symbols and numbers, and are never mock-ups or replicas of popular phrases or words. If you find it difficult to remember multiple passwords, consider using a free password service, like LastPass. n Only use Wi-Fi with a VPN. When

using public Wi-Fi, always choose a Virtual Private Network (VPN) instead of your default Wi-Fi settings to keep the sensitive information on your device secure. n Block robocalls. Lots of identity theft occurs via robocalls in which the scammer impersonates a government official or the representative of a well-known company. Lower the number of robocalls you receive by adding your number to the FTC’s No Call List at DoNotCall.gov. n Upgrade your devices. Whenever

possible, upgrade the operating system of your computer, tablet and phone to the latest versions. Upgraded systems will keep you safe from the most recent security breaches and offer you the best protection against viruses and hacks. n Shred old documents. While most

modern-day identity theft is implemented over the internet or through phone calls, lots of criminals still use old-fashioned means to get the information they need. It’s best to shred all documents containing sensitive information as soon as you don’t need them.

about sharing sensitive data, like your Social Security number and banking PINs. It’s also a good idea to use the strongest, most private security settings on your social media accounts to keep hackers out.

n Invest in identity theft protection. If you’re still nervous

about being the next victim of identity theft, you may want to sign up for an identity-theft protection service. Alive Credit Union has partnered with LegalShield, a nationwide leader in identity theft services, to provide affordable legal and identity protection plans for you and your family.

If you have been targeted by a scam or are a victim of identity theft, take these steps immediately:

n Place a fraud alert on your credit reports, ask for a free

copy of your credit report, and review those reports for evidence of accounts you didn't open. Fraud unit contacts are: Equifax.com, Experian.com and TransUnion.com. n Close accounts—including share drafts/ checks or ATM cards—that have been tampered with or used fraudulently. Contact all financial institutions and lenders, credit card issuers, utility companies and the Social Security Administration to notify them of the n File a report with law

enforcement and insist on getting a copy of the report or the report number. n File a complaint with the

FTC. Visit Consumer.ftc.gov/ features/feature-0014-identity-theft for more information.

For more than 68 years, Alive Credit Union (ACU) has been committed to serving their community in health care and in select organizations, including Southeastern Grocers and anyone who works in real estate. ACU has set their focus on providing the highest level of member service and to also inspire financial wellness through financial education. That is why they have five certified credit union financial counselors on staff to assist members through hurdles. As a valued member, a person has access to a variety of resources, including credit report review, explanation and analysis; debt elimination counseling; budget assistance; and future financial goal planning. For more information, call 904-296-1292 or visit Alivecu.coop. See ad, below.

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