Identity Theft
What is identity theft?
Identity theft occurs when someone acquires your personal information
and uses it without your knowledge to commit fraud or theft. It is a
serious crime and cases are growing. Some common examples of what an
identity thief might do are; open new accounts, forge checks, open new
credit cards or even apply for loans using your personal information. A
person whose identity has been stolen can spend months or years, and
thousands of dollars to clean up the mess made in their name and credit
record.
Remember that no matter how cautious you are, there is no way to prevent
identity theft from occurring, but there are ways to minimize the risk.
Helpful Tips
- Do not open or respond to online solicitations for personal
information. Universal Bank will never send e-mails containing
attachments, or require customers to send personal information via
e-mail or pop-up windows.
- Do not carry your Social Security card with you; leave it in a
secure place. Carry only the identification and credit cards that
you need.
- Do not write your address, phone number, or drivers license
number on credit cards or receipts.
- Social Security numbers or phone numbers should not be put on
your checks
- Collect your mail promptly every day.
- Try to put outgoing mail in a U.S Postal Service mailbox rather
than your own, since it is more secure.
- If you are going on vacation and can not pick up your daily
mail, call the post office and request a vacation hold.
If You Become a Victim
Immediately call all credit card issuers and let them know you’ve
been a victim of identity theft.
- Request your old cards cancelled and your accounts closed
immediately, open new accounts and request new cards.
Contact the major credit reporting agencies and order your reports.
This begins the process of verifying and correcting the information in
your credit report.
- It would be wise to request a fraud alert at this time.
Equifax (800) 525-6285
Experian (888) EXPERIAN
TransUnion
(800) 680-7289
Contact your local police department.
- Begin the process of filing a police report to document the
identity theft.
If you know through which credit grantor the
identity thief secured credit in your name, request copies of all
application documents the identity thief filed with that credit
grantor.
- You can request that those documents be given directly to you
and the police and added to your police report.
Document all correspondence with the police department, credit
grantors and credit reporting agencies.
- Keep copies of your correspondence. If your case is not resolved
to your satisfaction, contact the Federal Trade Commission, by
filling out a complaint on their Web site:
www.ftc.gov.
When the thief who stole your identity is arrested, engage in regular
contact with your local district attorney and ask for information about
the case.
- Though district attorneys are busy, it is important for them to
know that identity thefts are a concern to consumers.
- Preventing Identity Theft by California Bankers Association-
To report a lost or stolen card
please call
1-888-809-8282
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