Protect Your Privacy

Any user of technology knows and appreciates the convenience it can provide. One thing to remember though - as more consumers move online to take care of business, so do thieves interested in profiting at someone else's expense.

If you have provided personal information in response to an e-mail, call or text message, you should act immediately to reduce the risk of becoming a victim.

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Steps to Protect

Follow these steps to protect your privacy.

  1. Report the incident to any bank, credit union or other creditor where you have an account and believe your information may have been compromised. Restrict access or close your account and open a new account if you've provided information that may allow an unauthorized person to access your account.
  2. Contact the credit bureaus and request that they flag your accounts with a "fraud alert."
    Equifax Fraud Hotline 800-525-6285
    Experian Fraud Hotline 888-397-3742
    TransUnion Fraud Hotline 800-680-7289
  3. Contact credit card companies if you provided credit card account information in any scam. If you voluntarily close an account make sure the creditor flags it as "closed at customer request."
  4. Request a credit report if you believe there may be inaccurate information on it due to identity theft. The Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) entitles you to one free credit report per year.
  5. Contact the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) and file a complaint with the Federal Trade Commission.
    You can either complete the form online at www.ftccomplaintassistant.gov or call their Identity Theft Hotline at 877-438-4338.
  6. Report fraud associated with your social security number. You may either complete the form online at www.socialsecurity.gov or call the SSA Fraud Hotline at 800-269-0271.

Important Numbers

Credit Bureaus

  • Equifax Fraud Hotline 800-525-6285
  • Experian Fraud Hotline 888-397-3742
  • TransUnion Fraud Hotline 800-680-7289

Federal Trade Commission (FTC)

  • Identity Theft Hotline at 877-438-4338.

Social Security Association

  • SSA Fraud Hotline at 800-269-0271.