Identity Theft

WHAT IS IDENTITY THEFT?

Identity theft occurs when someone steals your personal information and uses the information to illegally open bank accounts or commit other illegal activity. Identity thieves may steal and use your social security number, driver’s license number, bank account number, credit card number, or other personal information.

Identity thieves use various methods to obtain your personal information, such as:

• Stealing information from your mail such as credit card information or bank statements
• “Dumpster Diving” in your trash to find personal information on items you have thrown away
• Stealing your purse or wallet
• Posing as a legitimate business and asking you to provide information to “update” your information for their records
• Changing your address to divert your mail to another location

Some signs that you may be the victim of identity theft include:

• Not receiving expected mail such as a credit card bill or bank statement
• Receiving bills from credit cards you did not open
• Calls from collection agencies regarding debts that you did not incur
• Denial of credit for no apparent reason

WAYS TO PROTECT YOURSELF

• Do not carry your social security card with you
• Carry only those bank/credit cards that you need with you
• Do not attach a password or PIN number to any cards you carry with you
• Shred all documents containing identifying information, such as your bank and credit card statements
• Check your banking and credit card statements on a regular basis to ensure that there are no unauthorized transactions on your account
• Do not provide information or account numbers to inquiries without confirming the person’s identification and reason for the inquiry.
• Order a copy of your credit report at least once each year to review the information for possible fraud. The reports can be ordered through:

› Equifax – www.equifax.com - 1-800-685-1111
› Experian – www.experian.com - 1-888-EXPERIAN (397-3742)
› TransUnion – www.transunion.com - 1-800-916-8800

WHAT TO DO IF YOU BECOME A VICTIM

There are a number of steps that you should take immediately if you have become the victim of identity theft.

• Contact any of the three major credit bureaus to place a fraud alert on your credit file

› Equifax – www.equifax.com - 1-800-685-1111
› Experian – www.experian.com - 1-888-EXPERIAN (397-3742)
› TransUnion – www.transunion.com - 1-800-916-8800

• Close any accounts that may have been tampered with.
• If your Farmington Savings Bank information has been compromised contact our Customer Support Center at 860-676-4600.
• If your bank information has been compromised you should also contact the major check verification companies. Ask that retailers who use their databases not accept your checks.

› TeleCheck – 1-800-710-9898
› Certegy, Inc. – 1-800-437-5120
› International Check Services – 1-800-631-9656

• File a report with the Federal Trade Commission by calling 1-877-438-4338 or visiting www.consumer.gov/idtheft.

LEARN MORE
The following websites provide information on Identity Theft and Fraud Protection.

• The United States Department of Justice - www.usdoj.gov/criminal/fraud/idtheft.html
• The FBI - www.ifccfbi.gov/strategy/fraudtips.asp
• The Federal Trade Commission - www.consumer.gov/idtheft
• Farmington Savings Bank’s Identity Theft Page
• Farmington Savings Bank's Email and Website Fraud Page