Keeping you informed.
Don't become the next victim...

FAST FACT...
	Identity thieves raid mailboxes for credit card offers and statements. Remove mail promptly from your mailbox. Never use your mailbox for outgoing mail.

Identity Theft Warning Signs
	•  Fraudulent charges on your credit card statement •  Credit card or financial statements don't arrive •  Bills arrive for goods and services you didn't request •  Suspicious inquiries on your credit report •  Phone calls from creditors •  Suddenly denied credit

How To Guard Against Identity Theft

•  Guard your social security number. Do not give out your PIN or credit card numbers over the phone unless you initiated the transaction. •  Be very careful with receipts. Make sure you have them when you leave the store or ATM and do not throw them into public trash cans. •  Destroy pre-approved credit card offers before you throw them out. A home shredder is the best thing to use on financial statements, receipts and old cancelled checks you are discarding. •  Account for all new checks in your checkbook when you receive them in the mail. •  Block your ATM transaction with your body to prevent someone from learning your PIN. •  Commit all passwords and PIN numbers to memory so no one can see them in writing. •  Be creative when you select a password. Don't be obvious like using the last four digits of your social security number, phone numbers, address, birth date or any format that could easily be decoded by thieves. •  Protect your identification and credit cards from pickpockets.   Close your wallet and keep your purse shut and close to your body. •  Limit the number of I.D. and credit cards that you carry. If they are stolen, you'll have fewer to replace. •  If your social security number is used as your driver's license number or appears on another I.D. card, ask the issuer for a new card with a different account number. If your social security number is printed on your checks, reorder checks without it. Also, if your driver's license number is printed on your checks, consider removing it. •  Keep your birth certificate and social security card in a safe deposit box. Carry these items with you only on the days you need them. •  Review your credit card report each year. If someone is applying for credit in your name and you haven't noticed any warning signs, a copy of your credit report may help point this out. You can obtain a free credit report once a year from each of the credit reporting agencies - Experian, Equifax and Trans Union.

Online at www.AnnualCreditReport.com or toll free at 877-322-8228.

What To Do If You Are A Victim Contact your credit card company and your financial institution and close your accounts. The FBI suggests that you put passwords (not your mother's maiden name) on any new accounts you open. Call the three major credit bureaus (numbers shown below) to tell them your identity has been stolen. Request that a "fraud alert" be placed on your file and that no new credit be granted without your approval.

•  EQUIFAX: 800-525-6258 •  EXPERIAN: 888-397-3742 •  TRANS UNION: 800-680-7289