Identity Theft Protection Guide

Transactions are almost instantaneous. Whether you’re hopping online or accessing your money electronically, a few clicks and task complete. These technological advances also give access to criminals that seek your personal information online to aide in their schemes and identity theft endeavors.

PrimeWay offers some tips on how to protect yourself when doing business online and at ATMs.

ATM Security

Be Aware Of Your Surroundings. Individuals run the risk of falling prey to identity theft and other fraudulent activities when they’re careless about using ATM machines.

When you approach an ATM, do so with purpose and an awareness of anyone around you. Then, follow these steps to ensure privacy:

• Memorize your PIN and keep it confidential. Do not write it down or keep a copy of it in a wallet or purse where someone can access it
• Use your body to shield the ATM keypad from people who may be standing nearby as you enter your PIN
• Do not discard your transaction receipt at the ATM site
• Immediately report any lost or stolen ATM card to PrimeWay Federal Credit Union by calling (713) 799-6200 or (800) 554-5690, or after hours call (800) 528-2273
• Guard your ATM card and personal information, and you’ll keep your money and identity safe

Online Security: Protecting Yourself Against Fraud

Most of us regularly shop online and access our financial accounts electronically. With technology advancing, it has become increasingly convenient and efficient to do business online, but we must remain cautious. PrimeWay automatically enrolls our members in Fraud Text Alerts to make sure they are alerted to any suspicious activity immediately.

More than ever, individuals need to be on alert when navigating through websites and sharing information online. Unfortunately, with every advancement, there has to be an equally efficient amount of security to protect your money! Check out this list of tactics to prevent fraudulent activity on your account.

Spoofing: Copying the look of a legitimate website for fraudulent use

Phishing: Sending phony e-mails, usually about an urgent problem, that points individuals to a spoof website to get people to reveal private information

Smishing: Uses phishing techniques through cell phone text messages

To avoid devastating trouble, consider the following.

Don’t Take The Phishing Bait

• No reputable company would ask for personal information on an unsecured site
• Shop with companies you know and ensure the site is secure before providing payment information
• Double-click on the closed padlock in the browser to view the website’s authenticity certificate

Protect Your Home Computer

• Keep virus software updated to protect data stored on your computer
• Read e-mails only from senders you know
• Do not open attachments without verifying with the sender
• Install firewall software to protect your computer system

Never Provide This Information On An Unsecure Website

• Social Security number
• Account numbers
• Passwords
• Mother’s maiden name
• Birthdate
• PINs

Online transactions are a wonderful modern-day development. Just make sure you’re doing business the secure way.

PrimeWay Helps Protect You from Identity Theft

It’s the fastest growing crime in the world – identity theft. The Federal Trade Commission estimates that nearly 10 million innocent people in the United States alone are victimized every year, costing them a collective $5 million to restore their good names.

And with personal information becoming more readily accessible through enhanced technology, PrimeWay is committed to securing your personal information and providing tips on how to be vigilant about protecting yourself.

Be assured that we never will send you an e-mail or call you asking for personal or account information such as passwords, Social Security numbers, PINs, credit or check card numbers or other confidential information. Anyone purporting to be affiliated with PrimeWay Federal Credit Union who asks for this information is acting maliciously and should be reported to us immediately.

Meanwhile, there are ways members can protect themselves.

Simple Safety Guidelines To Follow

• Protect your account numbers and PINs, and never keep your PIN with your debit or credit card. That would provide easy access to your money if your card is lost or stolen
• Use extreme caution when disclosing your account numbers or Social Security number to others
• Update your contact information with us so that we may reach out to you if we detect suspicious activity related to your accounts
• Please call us at (713) 799-6200 with any questions about security issues and know that we are here to help you

Security Alerts

It is always prudent to review your credit report annually for errors or fraud and promptly report suspicious or unrecognized activity to the credit agency.

If you have not ordered the annual free credit report, you are entitled to it once a year by law. Please, log on to www.annualcreditreport.com and order your free report.

If you suspect fraud on your account, it may also be pertinent to place a fraud alert on your file with each of the three major credit reporting agencies to prevent new credit from being issued without verification from you. The contact information for each agency is:

TransUnion
PO Box 1000
Chester, PA 19022
www.transunion.com
800-680-7289

Equifax
PO Box 740241
Atlanta, GA 30374
www.equifax.com
800-525-6285

Experian
PO Box 2002
Allen, TX 75013
www.experian.com
888-397-3742