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Ensure Your Privacy: What You Need To Know
Protecting your personal
information is the first step in ensuring your continued privacy.
Below you will find articles that will help you protect your personal
information and your privacy. Click on the article link to be taken
to that section.
Identity Theft: What
you need to know
As information
becomes more and more accessible in the United States, so does the
fraud that surrounds information accessibility become more prevalent.
In order to protect yourself, you should become aware of what ID
theft is and what can be done to prevent it.
What is
it?
Identity theft is the crime of using the identity of another individual
or business for the fraudulent gain of another individual or business.
This form of fraud is the fastest growing white collar crime in
the United States. It is estimated that over 750,000 to 1 million
Americans will fall victim to ID theft every year. Victims of ID
theft not only suffer the aggravation of spending (on average) 175
or more hours trying to restore their good name but they suffer
difficult obstacles when it comes to getting legitimate credit,
employment and bank accounts for themselves.
Preventing
ID theft:
Americans must consistently protect their personal information.
Here are a few actionable steps you can take that will help prevent
your important personal information from being stolen.
- Check each
of your credit reports annually:* There are three major
credit reporting bureaus: Equifax, Experian, Trans Union. Your
credit report contains information on all of your credit history
and will reveal any fraudulent action associated with your credit.
Once you carefully check these reports against what you actually
have and against each other report, communicate any discrepancies
to the applicable credit reporting bureau.
- Close old
accounts: If your credit report(s) show that you have
old accounts you have forgotten about, take the time to close
them. ID thieves use old open lines of credit to rip you off in
a stealthy way. Closing these accounts and accounts you no longer
need make it impossible for a thief to assume your identity and
use your old credit to take advantage of you.
- Shred:
Nothing is better at making sure your information is safe than
a shredder. Investing in a good shredder (preferably one that
“cross-cuts”) is an investment that will pay off in
the effort to protect your information. Shred everything you no
longer need that contains your information. Receipts, Credit Approvals,
medical documents, any document with your social security number,
and anything you do not want anyone else to see. By shredding
unneeded important documents, you make yourself a very difficult
target for ID thieves.
- Go the distance:
Make sure you do all you can to protect your personal information.
Don’t keep your Social Security Card in you wallet or purse.
Don’t write your pin numbers on your credit cards or on
a piece of paper that you carry with you. Make sure you put your
payments (or any mailing with a check in it) in a secure mail
box, preferably inside a post office building. Reconcile each
of your accounts regularly. Never give any information to anyone
unless you are absolutely sure they are legitimate. Watch out
for frauds on the phone or email asking for personal information.
Be very suspicious of offers that seem to good to be true. Remember,
your vigilance in stamping out ID theft, is the key to reducing
its growth.
- Know the
law: California has passed several laws that protect
your information. One of the newest of these laws is SB 168 which
severely limits the usage of your social security number by businesses
and service industries. This law also gives you the right to “Freeze”
your credit report at any time. Freezing your report makes it
so noone can access it without your permission. If no one but
yourself can access it, because it is frozen, then no one can
open credit, get employment or fraudulently use your good name
for any unauthorized purpose.
- Have your
name removed:* Get your name removed from credit card
approval lists, tele-marketing lists and direct mail lists. By
contacting the Direct Marketing Association (www.the-dma.org)
and by calling (888) 5-OPTOUT you will limit a large number of
unwanted mail, phone and credit card offers you receive. However,
by “Opting” out, you will not completely eliminate
all of these types of solicitations, but you will drastically
limit their proliferation.
- Call the
authorities: If you ever become a victim of identity
theft, call the authorities as soon as possible. Also, call the
three major credit reporting bureaus, report the fraudulent activity
and have them freeze your credit report. For more information
contact the Federal Trade Commission, the Direct Marketing Association
and your local and state governments.
*First Financial Credit
Union is not responsible for the business practices or procedures
of third party organizations or entities. Some fees may be associated
with the use of these services. Contact the provider for full information.
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The
basics of opting-out*
Opting-out of FFCU
offers*
You have the right to opt-out of receiving marketing related offers
from First Financial Credit Union. By opting-out, your name will
removed from the marketing related mailing and telephone lists generated
by First Financial. This means that you will no longer receive direct
mail offers such as pre-approvals or similar offers over the telephone.
It also means that your public information will not be shared with
partnering third-party companies of First Financial.
To opt-out of the services,
you must make it known to First Financial Credit Union by calling
(800) 537-8491 or by mailing in the following written form to First
Financial Credit Union, c/o Member Services, P.O. Box 90, West Covina,
CA, 91793.
Get
FFCU opt-out form
Opting-out of non-FFCU offers*
Tired of getting incessant credit card offers and credit related
mailing? If so, you can greatly reduce the number of mailed credit
solicitations by opting-out with the 4 major credit reporting bureaus:
Experian, Trans Union, Equifax, Innovis.
It is actually very
easy to opt-out with these bureaus. They have provided a service
that opts you out of credit solicitations by calling one number:
(888) 5-OPTOUT (888)
567-8688
You will be requested
to provide some personal information and once entered, you will
be opted-out for a designated period of time (options are explained
on the call). While this service works well to nearly eliminate
mailed credit solicitation, it will not eliminate all mailings.
You may need to call certain credit granting companies that solicit
you to eliminate all solicitation.
The National Do Not Call Registry*
The National Do Not Call Registry is open for business, putting
consumers in charge of the telemarketing calls they get at home.
The Federal Government created the national registry to make it
easier and more efficient for you to stop getting telemarketing
sales calls you don't want. You can register online at DONOTCALL.GOV if you have an active email address. You can call toll-free, 1-888-382-1222
(TTY 1-866-290-4236), from the number you wish to register. Registration
is free.
The Federal Trade Commission,
the Federal Communications Commission, and participating states
are scheduled to begin enforcing the National Do Not Call Registry
on Oct. 1, 2003. That's when consumers who put their numbers on
the registry by August 31, 2003 will notice a reduction in the number
of telemarketing calls they get. Placing your number on the National
Do Not Call Registry will stop most, but not all, telemarketing
calls. Telemarketing firms also have lists of people who do not
want to be contacted. If you do not want to be contacted, please
inform the caller at the time of the call.
The Direct Marketing Association's Telephone Preference
Service (TPS)*
To receive fewer unsolicited telemarketing calls, you can register
for The DMA's Telephone Preference Service (TPS), which allows you
to "opt-out" of national telemarketing lists.
The Direct Marketing Association's Mail Preference Service
(MPS)*
To receive less commercial advertising mail, you can register for
The DMA's Mail Preference Service (MPS), which allows you to "opt-out"
of national mailing lists.
The Direct Marketing Association's E-mail Preference Service
(e-MPS)*
To reduce the amount of unsolicited e-mail you receive at home,
register for e-MPS, the E-mail Preference Service which allows you
to "opt-out" of national e-mail lists.
* While use of these
services will reduce the number of solicitations you receive, you
may still receive unsolicited telephone calls, mail or e-mail. First
Financial Credit Union does not guarantee, endorse, or otherwise
control the business practices of featured third-party organizations
or entities. Please note that there may be fees associated with
using these services. Contact the provider for more information.
Please use care when dealing with your personal information.
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Online
safety
There are many benefits
in using the Internet to manage your finances, to shop and to get
information. However, one must be vigilant in protecting his/her
information while using the Internet to conduct business. The following
are some basic tips that will help make your internet experience
successful and safe.
Upgrade your
browser
One of the best ways to protect yourself online is to simply upgrade
your internet browser to the latest version. This can be easily
done by visiting your provider's web site and downloading the software.
Most providers are happy to help you do this. Simply call them and
explain to them what you want to do, and they will walk you through
it.
By upgrading you browser
regularly, you will enjoy the most current security features including
the latest in encryption technology which greatly enhances your
security online. Currently 128bit encryption is standard on the
latest browser versions.
Look for the
“s” and for the “lock”
This may sound strange but it is a good practice to always look
for the “s” and the “lock” before you transmit
your private information. The “s” refers to the “s”
in “https” which is found in your browser address line.
When there is an “s” in “https,” the browser
is telling you that your web connection to the host web server is
a secure connection. This basically means that your browser has
verified that you are connected to the correct server and not a
fraudulent server.
| The
“lock” is an icon that appears at the bottom of
your browser screen. This lock along with the “s”
indicates that you are on a connection that is encrypted. Encryption
is a method of scrambling information that is impossible to
decipher without the necessary key. |
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Obtain virus
software and update it
It is a good idea to purchase and regularly (weekly) update the
virus protection software used on your computer. This can help you
avoid the major problems that come with running into a computer
virus. You may also want to install a firewall if necessary.
Watch out for
bad email
If you have ever had an email account, you can attest to the limitless
junk mail constantly deluging your inbox. Most of this kind of email
is simply unsolicited "spam," but email is also a very
effective way for thieves or vandals to cause damage.
Some of this malicious
email is designed to get you to open a file that could contain a
virus or a program that will either take information from your computer
or cause your computer to not work properly. The best medicine for
this is to not open any email unless you know who sent it to you.
Completely delete this email from your computer and call your provider
if you find or feel that something is very suspicious.
Potentially bad email
can be contained easily by using a few strategies…
- Add bad email to
the junk email function in your email system.
- Use an unconventional
email address. Changing your email address to something that only
you can understand can reduce the amount of unsolicited email
you receive. Basic email addresses seem to get hit harder overall.
- Do not give your
main email out indiscriminately. It is a good idea to set up a
junk email account which you can use when shopping, entering contests
or requesting email notification.
- Use spam filters
for your email accounts.
- It is better to
delete the "spam" you get from an unknown source, rather
than to try and unsubscribe. The people who send you spam often
do not care if you unsubscribe and may ignore your request. They
also use your “unsubscribe” to verify your email in
order to send you more junk email.
- Call your provider
to report suspicious email.
- Never open email
unless you are totally sure it is Okay.
- Generally, be suspicious.
Better safe than sorry.
- NEVER heed an email
that asks you to submit personal or financial information.
- Avoid web sites
that junk email promotes. These sites could be fraudulent and
can be taken down instantly.
- Just because an
email looks official does not mean that it is. Many scammers use
official looking email to fraud you out of your money and good
name. Take the time to verify all email offers or claims.
- Legitimate charities
do not need to solicit you for donations using email or the phone,
and they do not need your Social Security Number or your personal
information.
- Report fraudulent
activity to your local, state, and federal authorities.
Avoid online
scams
It is surprising to see all of the different scams that are popping
up online. Hackers and thieves are finding more and more ways to
rip you off and to steal your personal information. It is best to
be careful about where you go online and what email you open. Keep
in mind that an online presence can be gone in seconds after filching
your personal information. Especially watch out for any unsolicited
email or site that is looking for you to remit your Social Security
Number, your bank account number, your credit card number or any
other personal information. Reputable companies will deal in a legitimate
manner and will only ask you for the info they need to take care
of your business. Watch out for companies trying to trick you into
an agreement. If it feels suspicious, it probably is.
According to the federal
government, the top 10 online scams are:
- Internet Auction
Fraud
- Internet Service
Provider Scams
- Internet Web Site
Design/Promotions - "Web Cramming"
- Internet Information
and Adult Services - "Credit Card Cramming"
- Multi-level Marketing/Pyramid
Scams
- Business Opportunities
and Work-At-Home Scams
- Investment Schemes
and Get-Rich-Quick Scams
- Travel/Vacation
Fraud
- Telephone/Pay-Per-Call
Solicitation Frauds (including modem dialers and videotext)
- Health Care Frauds
If you suspect fraud, contact your local, state and federal authorities.
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Helpful
links and phone numbers
Web Sites Links
Federal
Bureau of Investigation
Los
Angeles Sheriff
Los
Angeles Police Department
The
State of California
Federal
Trade Commission
First
Gov for Consumers
U.S.
government's website for information about identity theft
Privacy
Rights Clearinghouse
The
National Consumers League
Equifax
Credit Bureau
Experian
Credit Bureau
TransUnion
Credit Bureau
Innovis
Credit Bureau
Phone Numbers
Federal Bureau of Investigation: (202) 324-3000
Los Angeles Sheriff: (323) 526-5541
Los Angeles Police Department: (877) ASK-LAPD (877)
275-5273
To opt out of each credit bureaus direct mailing lists call:
(888) 5-OPTOUT (888)567-8688
Federal Trade Commission's Consumer Response Center:
(877) FTC-HELP (877)(382-4357)
FTC’s Identity Theft Helpline: (877) ID-THEFT
(877) 438-4338
Equifax Credit Bureau: To place a fraud alert on
my Equifax credit report call: (888) 766-0008
Experian Credit Bureau: Contact us by phone: (888)
397-3742
TransUnion Credit Bureau: If you have questions
call: (800) 916-8800
Innovis Credit Bureau: Innovis Consumer Assistance,
P.O. Box 1358, Columbus, OH 43216-1358
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