Helpful Tips to Protect Yourself From ID Theft

When you're writing checks to pay your credit card accounts, do not put the complete account number on the "for" line. Instead, just put the last four numbers. The credit card company knows the rest of the number, and anyone who might be handling your check as it passes through all the check processing channels won't have access to it.
Put your work phone # on your checks instead of your home phone. If you have a PO Box use that instead of your home address. If you do not have a PO Box, use your work address. Never have your SS# printed on your checks.
Place the contents of your wallet on a photocopy machine. Copy both sides of each license, credit card, etc. You will know what you had in your wallet and all of the account numbers and phone numbers to call and cancel. Keep the photocopy in a safe place.
Have the toll free numbers in a safe place, but handy to get to so you know whom to call.
File a police report immediately in the jurisdiction where your credit cards, etc., were stolen. This proves to credit providers you were diligent, and this is a first step toward an investigation if needed.
Call the 3 national credit reporting organizations immediately to place a fraud alert on your name and also call the Social Security Fraud line number. This helps any company that checks your credit to know your information was stolen, and they have to contact you by phone to authorize new credit.
Do not give out personal information on the telephone, through email, or over the internet unless you know whom you are dealing with.
Never click on links sent in unsolicited emails.
Keep your anti-virus and anti-spyware software up-to-date.
Do not use an obvious password, such as birth dates, mother's maiden name, a pet's name, the last four digits of your Social Security number (SSN), etc.
Shred all financial documents and paperwork before discarding them.
Protect your SSN. Only give it out if it is necessary or ask to use another identifier.
Keep your personal information in a secure place at home.
Monitor your financial statements regularly and notify your financial institution immediately when you discover a potentially fraudulent transaction.

Click Here for more helpful information about identity theft.

At times, we may provide links to sites outside the control of our bank. We do not make any representations concerning the linked sites' contents or availability. You should review each site's privacy and information security policies carefully before you enter confidential information. Deposit and loan products offered by Tradesmen Community Credit Union, Member NCUA Equal Housing Lender. A The standard insurance amount is $250,000 per depositor.

Tradesmen Community
Credit Union
PO Box 1496
Des Moines, Iowa 50305-1496
Phone: (515) 243-8735
Toll-free: (800) 828 - 8050
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.