IDENTITY THEFT PROTECTION

Protect yourself from identity theft

According to the Federal Trade Commission, as many as 10 million Americans become victims of identity theft each year. Identity theft occurs when someone steals your personal information and uses it to establish credit, charge items, or borrow money using your name.

To protect yourself from becoming a victim of identity theft, please follow these steps:

• Destroy unused credit card offers and other documents containing your personal information before discarding them.
• Guard your Social Security number.
• Never give out your Personal Identification Number (PIN) for your credit, debit, or ATM card(s). Don’t write on or keep your PINs with your cards. You should also guard your ATM and credit card receipts.
• Don’t release information to people you do not know, especially over the phone or Internet.
• Don’t pre-print your driver’s license, telephone or Social Security numbers on your checks.
• Review bank statements for accuracy when they arrive. If you have internet access, check activity at least weekly.
• Report lost or stolen checks or cards immediately. Independent Bank will block payment on the check numbers involved.
• Make sure the Internet sites where you shop are secure. You can verify a site’s security by looking for a padlock icon in the address line, an “s” after the http in the Web site address (https://), or by checking the website’s properties to verify the URL address is the same.
• Obtain a free copy of your credit report annually by contacting:
  AnnualCreditReport.com
  P.O. Box 105281
  Atlanta, GA 30348-5281
  877.322.8228

If you become a victim:

• Contact your bank and all others with whom you have a financial relationship
• File a police report if you have a loss
• Report the fraud to the major credit bureaus:
• Equifax: 800.525.6285
• Experian: 800.397.3742
• Trans Union: 800.680.7289
• Contact your local police and ask to file a report. Even if the police can’t catch the identity thief, having a police report can help you clear up your credit records later on.
• File a complaint with the Federal Trade Commission (FTC). Call the FTC’s identity theft hotline toll-free at 1 (877) IDTHEFT (438-4338). The hotline is staffed by counselors trained to help victims and take their complaints. You may also file a complaint online at FTC.
• Complete the identity theft affidavit, which will assist you in reporting to many companies that a new account has been opened in your name. To download a copy of the identity theft affidavit from the FTC Web site, select the link: Identity Theft Affidavit.
• To learn more about identity theft protection, visit the FTC website.

Identity theft protection

We’re committed to safeguarding your privacy. To learn more about identity theft protection, visit the Harland Clarke website.