Expanded Lesson
5 min read
Protect Your Identity
-
-
Copied link to Clipboard!
Be proactive in safeguarding your sensitive, personal and confidential information. Protecting this information makes it difficult for someone to assume your identity to commit fraud or other criminal acts. Focus on best practices in these areas to help keep your information safe:
LESSON CONTENTS
Keep your SSN private.
Your Social Security number (SSN) can be the key to your identity. A dishonest person can use it to get other personal information about you. Identity thieves can use it to apply for credit and services in your name.
- Only share your, or your child’s, Social Security number when necessary. Ask if you can use an alternate form of identification. The decision to share is yours. If someone requests you to share your Social Security number, ask:
- Why do you need it?
- How will it be used?
- How will it be protected?
- What happens if I do not share it?
- Your employer and financial institutions need your Social Security number for wage and tax reporting purposes. A business may ask for your Social Security number so they can check your credit when you apply for a loan, rent an apartment or sign up for utility services.
- If you lose your Social Security card or if someone is misusing your Social Security number, contact the Social Security Administration.
Reduce your paper trail.
Receipts, invoices, statements and other financial forms may contain sensitive or personal information.
- Always shred items containing full account numbers or personal information, including your debit or credit cards that are no longer active.
- Clean out your wallet and only carry the information you need.
- Protect your mail from theft by dropping outgoing mail in a post office collection box and promptly removing delivered mail.
- If you receive paper statements, be aware of when they normally arrive and consider opting-in to eStatements for faster delivery and secure storage.
Monitor your accounts
Routinely monitor your accounts for suspicious activity.
- Set up Alerts via Online and Mobile Banking to receive email, text or push notifications.
- Reconcile your account by reviewing your monthly statements or by frequently logging on to Online or Mobile Banking.
- Report unauthorized transactions immediately to your bank, credit union or credit card company and appropriate law enforcement agency as soon as you detect them. Keep a list of telephone numbers for reporting the loss or theft of your credit and debit cards.
Monitor your credit.
Request a free, annual copy of your credit report from each of the three credit bureaus.
- You can review it at: annualcreditreport.com or by calling 877-FACTACT (877-322-8228).
- Children can be targets for identity theft. Check your child’s credit report regularly as well.
Manage your social media.
Be careful about sharing personal information on social media. The more you share, the more vulnerable you could become.
- Limit your online friends to people you actually know and use privacy settings to restrict who can see and post on your profile.
- Learn about location-based services. Many devices have GPS technology, which can be used to locate a device or even find out where a photo was taken. For example, if your device has GPS location-based services enabled and you take a picture in your home and post it online, someone could find your home using GPS information embedded in the photo. Consider keeping location-based services within apps and photos turned off and turned them on only when needed. Ask yourself, does this app really need to know where I am?
Shop securely.
Avoid using public computers for email or sensitive matters like financial correspondence or online banking (this includes public Wi-Fi); instead, use a secure computer or your personal mobile device.
- Check for security features before you make a purchase or share sensitive information online. Look for https:// in the web address and a lock image indicating the web page is using a security certificate to encrypt the information you submit.
Related Resources
View All
Expanded Lesson
5 min read
What is Unemployment Fraud? Unemployment Insurance Fraud on the Rise
Since the pandemic, unemployment insurance fraud has been increasing. If you have been the victim of fraud, read this article for steps to take.
Quick Lesson
2 min read
Three Tips to Stay Ahead of Skimming
Don't let thieves steal your card information. Use these tips to help minimize your risk of debit and credit card fraud.
Quick Lesson
2 min read
Tips to Spot Check Fraud
Scams can take many forms as fraudsters are always trying to find ways to be more convincing. They take advantage of gaps in financial knowledge, and weak links in the financial system. By keeping an eye out for these red flags, you can see through the schemes and protect your hard-earned money. Keep this tip from the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) in mind as you read on.
Quick Lesson
4 min read
Protect Your Account: Secure online banking tools and how to protect your account
Ent’s online and mobile banking systems offer multiple fast and easy ways to monitor and control access to your account, helping you watch for fraudulent transactions and providing you with piece of mind. The more quickly and easily you can spot a fraudulent transaction – and alert your financial institution to have it resolved – the less stress and impact it could have on your day-to-day financial activity. Here are a few online banking features we recommend for protecting your accounts:
Expanded Lesson
6 min read
What to Do If Your Identity is Stolen
Protecting your identity and personal information is especially important in today's digital age. Look for suspicious activity like accounts you didn't open or purchases you didn't make. If you suspect you're a target of identity theft, read this article to learn what steps you can take to help protect yourself.
Tips to Avoid Phishing
Your vigilance is the best defense against phishing, and here are some quick tips to help keep your information safe.
Expanded Lesson
6 min read
Protect Your Devices
Many of us store personal, sensitive and confidential information on our digital devices. This makes them an attractive target for scammers and criminals. Follow best practices in these areas to help keep your devices secure:
Quick Lesson
2 min read
Multifactor Authentication
We're routinely enhancing our online security measures to help keep your account safe.
Video: Keys to a Strong Password
Creating a strong password is the first step in protecting your online banking account from unauthorized access. Follow these tips to help create a strong password.
Expanded Lesson
5 min read
Protect Your Identity
Be proactive in safeguarding your sensitive, personal and confidential information. Protecting this information makes it difficult for someone to assume your identity to commit fraud or other criminal acts. Focus on best practices in these areas to help keep your information safe:
Quick Lesson
3 min read
Caller ID Scam - Don't Be Fooled
Scammers are using fake financial institution caller IDs to call and ask people for their banking and personal information. Bank customers and credit union members — including Ent members — are being targeted. Our members have reported getting calls that look like they're from Ent Federal or a specific Ent service center.