After A Data Breach
Protect Yourself, Be Vigilant
Equifax Data Breach
There are steps to take to help protect your information from being misused. Visit Equifax's website www.equifaxsecurity2017.com (site not controlled by Glacier Hills Credit Union).
Find out if your information was exposed. Click on the “Potential Impact” tab and enter your last name and the last six digits of your Social Security number. Your Social Security number is sensitive information, so make sure you’re on a secure computer and an encrypted network connection anytime you enter it. The site will tell you if you’ve been affected by this breach.
Whether or not your information was exposed, U.S. consumers can get a year of free credit monitoring and other services. The site will give you a date when you can come back to enroll. Write down the date and come back to the site and click “Enroll” on that date. You have until November 21, 2017 to enroll.
Other steps to take to help protect yourself after the Equifax Data Breach are listed below.
Code Words and Passwords
Add code words that only you know to all your accounts when available. Make sure your code words are not something easy to guess based on information from your social media pages. To add a code word to your Glacier Hills account please call us at 262-338-1888 or talk to a team member when you're in one of our offices.
Make sure you change your passwords often and do not use the same password on all your sites. Strong passwords can be short phrases that are easy to remember. Change some letters to numbers and add something specific about the business to the password. For example, my phrase could be "I love the beach" but my password would be "iHb3ach" then add a "GH" or "$" to the front or the back of the password for the Glacier Hills website, and add a "WE" or "E" to the password for We Energies Website, and so on.
Check your Credit Reports
You can view your report FREE one time a year at AnnualCreditReport.com from each of the three credit reporting agencies. AnnualCreditReport.com is the only official site explicitly directed by Federal law to provide them. While the report is free, you have the option of purchasing your credit score. Visit our Free Credit Report page for more information.
Monitor your Accounts
Set up eAlerts on your accounts to notify you of transactions outside of your normal patterns. You can set up eAlerts inside Virtual Branch , these types of alerts are commonly available at most financial institutions and credit card companies. Closely review all your monthly statements for items you do not recognize.
Placing a Fraud Alert on your Credit Report
You have the right to ask that nationwide consumer credit reporting companies place "fraud alerts" in your file to let potential creditors and others know that you may be a victim of identity theft. A fraud alert can make it more difficult for someone to get credit in your name because it tells creditors to follow certain procedures to protect you. It also may delay your ability to obtain credit. You may place a fraud alert in your file by calling just one of the three nationwide consumer credit reporting companies. As soon as that agency processes your fraud alert, it will notify the other two, which then also must place fraud alerts in your file.
An initial fraud alert stays in your file for at least 90 days. An extended alert stays in your file for seven years. To place either of these alerts, a consumer credit reporting company will require you to provide appropriate proof of your identity, which may include your Social Security number. If you ask for an extended alert, you will have to provide an identity theft report. An identity theft report includes a copy of a report you have filed with a federal, state, or local law enforcement agency. For more detailed information about the identity theft, visit the Federal Trade Commission website.
Placing a Credit Freeze on your Credit Report
Consider placing a credit freeze on your credit report. A credit freeze makes it harder for someone to open a new account in your name. Keep in mind that a credit freeze won't prevent a thief from making changes to your existing accounts. A credit freeze does not affect your score, but you will need to lift the freeze before applying for new credit and it may slow down the process.
Contact each of the nationwide credit reporting companies:
You'll need to supply your name, address, date of birth, Social Security number, and other personal information. Fees vary based on where you live but commonly range from $5 to $10. A credit reporting company must lift a freeze no later than three business days after getting your request. The cost of lift a freeze varies by state.
After receiving your freeze request, each credit reporting company will send you a confirmation letter containing a unique PIN (personal identification number) or password. Keep the PIN or password in a safe place. You will need it if you choose to lift the freeze.
File your Taxes Early
As soon as you have the tax information you need, file your taxes. Tax identity theft happens when someone uses your Social Security number to get a tax refund or a job. Respond right away to a letter from the IRS. NOTE: THE IRS WILL NEVER CALL YOU FIRST. IF YOU GET A CALL FROM THE IRS HANG UP AND FILE A COMPLAINT WITH THE FEDERAL TRADE COMMISSION. Identity Theft page for more information.
