Seven Steps to Avoid Identity Theft
Don't be a statistic, here are 7 ways to avoid identity theft.
According to identitytheft.org in 2023, there has been 5.7 million total fraud and identity theft reports. 1.4 million of those were identity theft cases and the median loss of fraud cases for victims is about $500. Total losses are estimated to be $10.2 billion.
Don’t be one of those cases, follow these steps…
Step 1: Don’t carry your social security card with you. Make copies of all your cards in your wallet so that if they are stolen you will be able to report it accurately.
Step 2: Don’t use easy passwords and pin numbers. Use a combination of letters, numbers, and special characters.
Step 3: Use your instincts when answering emails/phone calls. NEVER click on links that are not trusted.
Step 4: Chessie will not call you and ask for personal information. If this happens, hang up and call 301-777-1781 to check to see if there is a problem with your account.
Step 5: Secure your electronic devices and update them regularly.
Step 6: Shred your personal documents. Chessie Federal Credit Union has a yearly Shred Day in September.
Step 7: Check your online banking and credit reports regularly. Go to annualcreditreport.com to check a different bureau every 4 months.
The mission of Chessie Federal Credit Union is to provide personal financial services to our membership in an efficient, friendly, and convenient manner. Chessie has 8 branches, 14 ATMs, and over 5,000 shared branching facilities in the United States. We’re here for you.