Security

Southwest FCU wants to help you prevent the loss of your identity.

Identity theft has become increasingly burdensome and the perpetrators of these crimes are ingenious, coming up with new and improved ways to steal from you. Awareness is most important when it comes to fighting back against these would-be thieves. Identity theft is the fraudulent use of a person’s personal identifying information such as: social security number, date of birth, mother’s maiden name, account number, etc. This information is used to open fraudulent credit cards accounts, charge existing credit card accounts, write checks, open new accounts, or obtain new loans. There are many ways that your identity can be compromised and here are just a few examples:

  • Stolen wallet containing personal identification information and credit cards
  • Account statements stolen from the mail
  • Diverting mail from its intended recipients by submitting a false change of address form
  • Intercepting or otherwise obtaining information transmitted electronically

Protect yourself against identity theft by following a few simple steps:

  • Do not share personal information such as account numbers or social security numbers over the telephone or internet unless you know for certain with whom you are dealing.
  • Store personal information in a safe place and tear up old credit card receipts, ATM receipts, old account statements and card offers that you receive by mail before throwing them away.
  • Protect your PINs and other passwords and avoid using easily available information such as your mother’s maiden name, dates of birth for yourself or children, the last four digits of your social security number, or your phone numbers.

If you believe that you are a victim of identity theft, you should do the following:

Report this information to your creditors. Advise them that you believe you may be the victim of identity theft and request that they restrict access to your account(s). If your creditors feel that your account(s) have been compromised they may close them and reissue your credit card, debit card, checks, etc.

Contact the fraud departments of the three national credit reporting agencies:

  • TransUnion
    Call the Fraud Victim Assistance Division: 1-800-680-7289 or write: P.O. Box 6790, Fullerton, CA 92634
  • Equifax
    Call: (800) 525-6285 or write: P.O. Box 740256, Atlanta, GA 30374-0241
  • Experian
    Call: (888) EXPERIAN (397-3742) or write: P.O. Box 9532, Allen, TX 75013

For additional information on preventing identity theft please visit the National Credit Union Association’s (NCUA) website for consumers at: http://mycreditunion.gov

SFCU has recently partnered with Identity Fraud, Inc., to offer you options for protecting your identity.

Be proactive and prevent identity theft. Secure Core Identity Protection for greater peace of mind, unlimited support and financial protection.

Please visit our website at: https://my.identityfraud.com/sfcunm for additional information on the products and services that Identity Fraud Inc. can offer to you and your family in the fight against identity theft.