Identity Theft Protection
Take action today and reduce your risk of ID theft by taking advantage of a Lifelock Identity Theft Prevention member discount.
Identity theft is one of the fastest growing crimes in the U.S. Thieves steal key pieces of information, such as social security numbers, credit card numbers, bank account info, or driver's license numbers to open new accounts, and/or run up charges on existing accounts. Below are some tips on how to protect against this growing problem.
Protect Your Identity with LifeLock — Member Discount
Tech CU has partnered with LifeLock, an industry leader in ID theft protection, to give you a special discount on its premier prevention service. Try LifeLock for 30 days for free. If you like it, you can purchase the service for $9/month or $99/year — that’s 10% off the regular price.
Visit LifeLock or call (800) LIFELOCK (543-3562) and use promotion code TECHCUPROTECT to take advantage of this special offer.
Tips for Fighting Identity Theft
- Don't give out critical information over the phone unless you initiated the call to a trusted institution. Or, if Tech CU has called you due to suspicious transactions on any of your Tech CU accounts, you will be asked to verify your identity.
- Shred pre-approved credit applications, statements and receipts (don't give "dumpster divers" a chance).
- Make sure your mail is secure.
- Check your statements and utility bills carefully, and call if you don’t receive your statement on time.
- Consider using Tech CU's electronic statements to eliminate the need for mailed statements.
- If traveling, have your mail held at your local post office.
- Don't carry your social security card, any extra ID cards and/or several credit cards if you don’t need them.
- When talking on your cell phone or public phone, be aware of eavesdropping.
- Order your credit report each year to check for accuracy.
- On the Web, use a secure browser or place your order by phone or mail.
- Cancel credit cards you haven't used for a period of time.
Suspect You’re a Victim?
If you suspect that you might be a victim of identity theft, act immediately. First, contact the fraud department of each of the three major credit bureaus, then close all affected accounts.
Finally, report the crime to the local authorities and to the Federal Trade Commission at (877) ID-THEFT (877-438-4338).
Other authorities you might want to contact in case of fraud:
For more information, visit the Federal Trade Commission's central ID Theft site.