Security
Center

What is Identity Theft?

Identity theft occurs when someone illegally obtains your personal information – such as your Social Security number, bank account number or other identification – and uses it to open new accounts or initiate transactions in your name.

Criminals can obtain personal information through online and offline methods. Stealing wallets and purses, intercepting or rerouting your email, and rummaging through your garbage are just some of the common tactics that thieves may use.

Recognize Identity Theft and Fraud

Identity thieves can strike even if you’ve been very careful with your personal information. The following may be signs of identity theft:

• If you find new accounts on your credit report that are not yours
• If you did not receive an expected bill or statement by mail
• If you receive credit cards or billing statements on accounts you didn’t apply for
• If you are denied credit or are offered less than favorable credit terms for no reason
• If you get calls from creditors or debt collectors regarding merchandise or services that you did not buy

Tips To Protect Yourself

Carefully review websites, online advertisements, and emails before taking any action or submitting any personal information online.

Memorize your password and PINs. Do not write them down, save them on your computer or reveal them to anyone.

Create a complex password that is 8 – 12 characters in length. The longer the password, the better.
Includes letters and numbers.
Has at least four different characters (no repeats).
Has at least one special character.
Is a sequence of random letters and numbers.
Is not obvious or easily obtainable information.

• Change your Online Banking password every 30 to 60 days
• Never email your account number, Social Security number or other sensitive information to anyone
• Never leave your computer unattended while logged in
• Complete your banking tasks and end your web sessions by always logging out
• When visiting social networks, remember that sharing information like your birth date, phone number, email address, location and photos can put your identity at risk
• Carry only necessary information with you
• Leave your Social Security card and unused credit cards at home in a safe and secure location
• Make photocopies (front and back) of vital information you carry regularly and store them in a secure place, such as a safety deposit box. Then, if your purse or wallet is lost or stolen, you have the relevant contact information readily available
• Do not provide your Social Security number unless absolutely necessary
• Replace paper invoices, statements and checks with electronic versions, if offered by your employer, bank, utility provider or merchant
• Contact the company’s customer service department if you stop receiving your regular bill or statements
• Shred documents containing personal or financial information before discarding
• If you are uncomfortable with a phone call that was not initiated by you, hang up or ask for the purpose of the call. Then contact the company using legitimate sources such as contact phone numbers found on the company’s website, your bank statements, and those listed on your debit or credit cards
• Maintain a close watch on your bank accounts, credit card accounts, loan accounts and review your credit report at least twice annually
• Make sure Honor CU has your current contact information so we can reach you if fraudulent activity is suspected on your account(s)
• Obtain a free credit report from each of the credit reporting companies and review it carefully. Contact the applicable credit reporting companies immediately if you find any unknown or suspicious activity
• Consider subscribing to a credit monitoring service and monitor your credit reports regularly
• Use computer virus protection software

Rogue Mobile Banking Apps

Criminals may repackage and publish third party malicious apps that look like mobile banking apps. Once downloaded, the fraudulent app may implant a Trojan on your phone to steal your Online Banking credentials.

Only download the Honor Credit Union Mobile app from trusted sources rather than a third-party unknown source. To help protect your accounts and information, don’t download or install mobile banking apps if you detect any of the following warning signs:

• The developer or author of the application is not Honor Credit Union
• The application is being promoted on a third party site, outside of the official app store associated with your mobile device
• There is a charge for downloading the application

Lost or Stolen Devices

Mobile phones and tablets offer convenience, but they’re also easy to lose or steal, which can put your information at risk.

• Consider using a remote wipe program, this will give you the ability to send a command to your device that will delete any data if the device is lost or stolen.
• Keep a record of the device’s make, model and serial number in case it’s stolen

Mobile Security Tips

• Use your device’s power-on password feature and keep it locked when you’re not using it. Enable an automatic screen-locking mechanism to lock the device when it’s not actively being used.
• Never store personal information like passwords or PIN numbers in texts, notes or emails that are accessible through your phone or tablet.
• Do not root or jailbreak your mobile device to get around limitations set by your carrier or device manufacturer. It will remove any protections built into the device to defend against mobile threats.
• Beware of everything you download onto your smart device, especially applications. Only use reputable application markets. Look at the developer’s name, check out reviews and star ratings. Always check the permissions an application requests and ensure that the permissions of the application match the features the application provides.
• If you visit a website through your mobile or tablet and the URL looks suspicious, close it down right away.
• When in doubt, don’t respond. Fraudulent texts, calls and voicemails are on the rise. Just like email, requests for personal information or a call for immediate action are almost always a scam.
• Use account nicknames instead of account numbers. Do not include any digits from your account numbers in nicknames.
• Consider using a remote wipe program; this will give you the ability to send a command to your device that will delete any data if the device is lost or stolen.
• Beware of your surroundings and use your device discreetly at locations in which you feel unsafe.
• Never leave your device unattended in a public place. Don’t leave it visible in an unattended car; lock it up in the glove compartment or trunk.

Lost Or Stolen Mobile Device

• Immediately contact your wireless carrier to report the incident and suspend your mobile number.
• Report the theft to the police, including the make and model, serial and IMEI or MEID number. Some carriers require proof that the device was stolen, and a police report would provide that documentation.
• You should change any passwords for online accounts you access through your mobil device as soon as possible. (For example your Online Banking password).
• For additional information on lost or stolen mobile device, view Stolen and Lost Wireless Devices from the FCC.

Spoof Websites & Phishing

Through the use of fraudulent emails, internet thieves attempt to “phish” for your confidential information. They attempt to steal this information from you by means of “pop-ups” or emails with internet links to deceive you into disclosing sensitive information (such as bank account numbers and Social Security numbers).

Often the email appears to be from a trusted source (such as your financial institution) and directs you to a “spoof” website that requests you to divulge sensitive information or even ask you to call a phone number and provide account information. But the Website is a fake.

Malware

Malware, short for “malicious software,” includes viruses, spyware and trojans that are designed to infiltrate or damage a computer system. Malware is often used to steal personal information and commit fraud.

Money Mules

Money mules are unsuspecting victims who become middlemen for criminals trying to launder stolen funds or merchandise. This type of online scam preys on victims who are unaware that the money or merchandise they are transferring is stolen. In these scams, the stolen money or merchandise is transferred from the victim’s country to the scam operator’s country.

Internet Scams

The internet has provided consumers with more transaction and business offerings than ever before. An individual can bid on a luxury item and a business owner can advertise to a global market at a click of the button. As a consumer you must be aware that internet scams are as varied and abundant as the legitimate offerings on the internet.

Some of the most common internet scams are Auction Frauds (misrepresentation or non-delivery of an advertised product through an internet auction site), Email Fraud/SPAM (unsolicited offers with the objective of gathering personal information that can be used to steal your money and/or your identity), Lottery or Sweepstakes Scam(tricking consumers into believing they have won large sums of cash through foreign lotteries), Overpayment Scam (a so-called buyer comes up with a reason for writing you a check for more than the purchase price, and asks you to wire back the difference).

New Acquaintances

Consider the circumstances under which you build a new friendship. How did this person enter your life, and what are they getting out of the friendship? Where is this person from, what does he or she do for a living, and who are his or her close friends or family?

A common ploy of fraudsters is to befriend you and increasingly gain your trust over time. You may eventually ask this new friend to come with you make a purchase at the grocery store, or to help you to order new bank checks. By gaining access to your trust and financial accounts, the fraudster may deplete your finances without your knowledge. Or, the fraudster may make you reliant on him or her and threaten to not assist you anymore or even harm you in order to get your money.

Discourage fraudsters by having a strong financial plan in place and planning out how you are going to get the physical assistance you may need on a day-to-day basis well ahead of time. A friendship based on your dependence is one you should avoid.

Friends and Family

Unfortunately, many Elder and Dependent Adult Financial Fraud cases involve family members. A family member may be given the authority to make legal decisions for you and abuse that right. Do not put any one person in absolute control over your finances, and you will avoid being put in position of absolute dependence. Anticipate your needs over time and plan ahead.

If you need help with handling your financial affairs, consult with an attorney about setting up a trust or other actions you can take to protect your assets. Also see an attorney about executing a Power of Attorney naming a person you know well and trust. This person may be an attorney, a family member, or a friend. Once executed, give Honor CU a copy of the Power of Attorney. Be sure to notify us of any changes to the Power of Attorney.

Signing Checks

Treat every request for your signature very seriously. Read the fine print and ask questions. If you are unsure, consult with an attorney.

When seeking assistance with your finances, ask for help from more than one source in order to be sure that you get an objective view. Should you have any questions, have your local bank representative help you to reconcile any discrepancies you have found.

When you are signing over money or property to anyone in exchange for your care, have an agreement written out and reviewed by your attorney.

Have your financial instructions written out and reviewed by your attorney. Notify the people you trust that you have already written out your instructions and retain them in a safe location. Your attorney should be able to give you more detailed advice on how to proceed.

Contractors, Merchants, Landlords and Others

It is not uncommon for senior citizens to be tricked into paying higher prices for goods or even paying for services he/she never signed up for. A contractor may raise the price of work after starting. A landlord may increase your rent without following the proper legal procedures. Even when you said no to unsolicited offers to purchase magazines or enter sweepstakes by phone, in person, or by email, the goods appear along with a bill.

Educate yourself on the various fraud scams out there. Read through the ID Theft and Internet Scam sections on this site.

Before signing up for any service, get the agreement in writing and read it thoroughly. If you are approached with unsolicited services, it is probably best to say no.

Before hiring a contractor, check the validity of their contractor’s license. Never fully pay for work in advance of its completion.

If any of your service providers, such as your care providers or landlords, increase their charges, get an explanation in writing. By formally documenting their excuses you may discourage them from defrauding you at the risk of their losing their business license or facing other legal repercussions. No criminal wants to get caught.

Place your name and telephone number(s) including cell phone number(s) on the Do Not Call Registry. Do not accept services from solicitors. You do not have the time to effectively establish the validity of their offer on the spot.