Credit Bureaus & Identity Theft
Your family’s information is incredibly valuable, and the credit union takes its obligation to protect it seriously. Stay informed on the dangers of identity theft and how to stop it.
What is Identity Theft?
Identity theft is when a criminal steals uses your personal information (such as a credit card number or social security number) to fraudulently get money. Whether small or large, this crime is financially damaging. But it’s also emotionally damaging and causes a lot of stress.
Tips to Protect Yourself
- Place a key or code word on your accounts. Call 716-847-6960, ext. 232 to place yours!
- Do not respond to emails, texts or calls asking for personal information.
- Do not give out personal information unless you initiated the call.
- Frequently review account activity and report unauthorized activity.
- Shred all sensitive mail; don’t just toss it in the trash.
- Stop pre-approved credit offers by calling 888-567-8688 and choose “permanent.”
- Report a lost/stolen card or checkbook immediately.
- Create clever passwords (not just birthdays or easily available information.
- Regularly check your credit report.
How to Check Your Credit Report
You get one free credit report a year from each of the credit bureaus (Experian, Equifax and Transunion). These don’t include credit scores, but they show you if someone else is using your name to take out loans. Get your free annual credit reports here.
If You Are a Victim
- Stay calm and act quickly to prevent further damage.
- Place a free fraud alert on your credit file, alerting lenders that you’re a victim.
- Place credit freezes at each bureau (Experian, Equifax, Transunion). These are not free but stop someone from pulling your credit report unless you unfreeze it.
- Contact any institutions where you have accounts.
- Contact agencies that issued licenses or passports.
- File a complaint with the FTC and look at their identity theft recovery plan.
- Contact Social Security at 800-269-0271 and US Postal Inspectors at 800-372-8347.
- File a police report.
How Can We Help You?
Contact us with your questions!