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Watch out for telephone scams
A variety of phone scams still occur on a regular basis. Below are tips for avoiding them:
- Never provide personal or account information to an unsolicited caller. If you did not make the phone call, you should NOT provide any information.
- Contact the company yourself. If you receive a suspicious call, ask the caller for his/her name, department and phone extension. Then contact the company at a number you know to be correct to verify the call is legitimate.
- Review financial statements regularly to ensure all transactions are correct. If you have Internet account access, periodically review activity online as well.
Internal Revenue Service (IRS) scams – the IRS has issued consumer alerts about telephone scams that use the IRS name as a lure. Be on the lookout for these and other IRS-related scams (including email versions). The IRS NEVER asks for personal or financial information.
- Rebate phone call – Callers say they are IRS employees who have a sizable rebate for you. They then ask for your checking/savings account information so they can ‘deposit’ the money.
- Paper check phone call – Scammers claim to be calling because the IRS sent you a check and you have not yet cashed it. The thieves then ask you to verify your financial institution account number(s).
If you believe you have given personal information to a scammer, contact your financial institution and the three credit reporting agencies immediately. Also, closely monitor your credit files and account statements.
Learn about identity theft
Identity theft occurs when someone uses your personal information without your consent to commit fraud or other crimes. You can't always control whether or not you are victimized, but you can make it harder for thieves to steal your information. These tips will help minimize your risk:
- Protect PIN numbers. Try to memorize your PIN number(s). When entering a PIN number at an ATM, make sure nobody is peering over your shoulder.
- Safeguard your Social Security Number. Don't carry your Social Security card in your wallet unless you need it. Never divulge it to telephone solicitors or in response to emails.
- Shred personal documents. Buy a cross-cut shredder and shred all papers including bills, credit card statements, ATM receipts, medical statements and credit card solicitations.
Destroy digital data. When you dispose of a computer, make sure the data is completely removed. Just deleting the data or reformatting the hard drive is not enough. Use software to make sure that data is destroyed.
- Review your financial statements. Check your statements each month for suspicious activity. Inquire with your financial institution(s) if your statements don’t arrive on time. Take advantage of PC ACCE$$ Online Banking to review your PCU accounts online 24/7. PCU also offers eStatements for free and convenient online access to your recent and past statements.
- Don't put bill payments in an unsecure mailbox. Drop your bills at the post office or use online Bill Pay.
- Limit the information on your personal checks. Never include your driver’s license number or Social Security Number.
- Choose cryptic passwords for accounts. Avoid using easily available information like your mother’s maiden name, birth dates, your phone number, etc.
- Review your credit report. You should review your credit report from the three credit bureaus at least annually. You can get a free copy of your credit report every 12 months.
There are many variations of the counterfeit check scam. Thieves may offer to buy something you advertised, give you an “advance” on sweepstakes winnings and more. Whatever the pitch, the person may sound quite believable.
Here are some tips for recognizing and avoiding counterfeit check scams:
- Scammers hunt for victims. They scan newspaper and online classified ads. They also check online job postings and place their own ads for various products and services.
- They tell you to wire money to them after you’ve deposited the check. If you’re selling something, they’ll pay you by having someone in the U.S. send you a check. It will be for more than the sale price and you’ll be asked to wire the overage amount back to them.
- The checks are counterfeit but they look real. In fact, even tellers may be fooled. Some are phony cashier’s checks and others look like they’re from legitimate business accounts.
- Just because you can withdraw the money does not mean the check is good. It can take weeks for the counterfeit or forgery to be discovered and the check to bounce.
- You are responsible for the checks you deposit. That’s because you’re in the best position to determine the risk — you’re the one dealing directly with the person who is paying you.
- If a stranger wants to pay you for something, insist on a cashier’s check for the exact amount, from a local credit union or bank.
- Don’t deposit it — report it! Report counterfeit check scams to the National Fraud Information Center, a service of the nonprofit National Consumers League.
Source: CUNA Mutual Group
What to do if you're a victim
If you know or believe you've been a victim of identity theft, contact PCU and any other financial institutions you have a relationship with. We can flag your account and monitor it for suspicious activity.
You should also contact the three major credit bureaus to determine if you need to place a fraud alert on your file, which will help prevent thieves from opening new accounts in your name.
- Equifax: 800-525-6285
- Experian: 888-397-3742
- TransUnion: 800-680-7289
In addition, you may want to file a compliant with the Federal Trade Commission online or by calling 1-877-IDTHEFT.
If you know you have been a victim of identity theft, you should also file a police report. Law enforcement officials can help you with creditors who may want proof of the crime.
If your wallet has been lost or stolen, use this helpful checklist to minimize problems. The threat of identity theft is scary, but if you follow the steps above it will be a lot less likely to happen to you.
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