Member Alert MCCU has been notified of phishing scams to gather members' personal information.  MCCU would NEVER call you or send an email requesting personal information such as passwords, credit card numbers or personal financial information to verify your identity or to "unlock" your account.  If you receive an unsolicited phone call or email requesting personal information, DO NOT click on the link; simply delete the message.  If you have responded or provided personal information, please contact MCCU at (269) 781-9885

 

Helping members protect their privacy and financial security is of great importance to MCCU.  The best way to protect yourself from Identity Theft is by learning how to minimize your chances of becoming a victim.  Marshall Community Credit Union has provided information and resources that can help prevent this from happening to you or your family.

As part of the FACT Act, you are eligible to receive a free credit report once a year.  Running your report and reviewing it for accuracy is an important step in the battle against Identity Theft.  Once you receive your credit report please feel free to contact a Member First Representative at (269) 781-9885 if you need help reading your report or if you have any questions about your credit report.   Request your free credit report from one of the following sources:

Online Phone Mail www.annualcreditreport.com 1-877-322-8228 Annual Credit Report Request PO Box 105281 Atlanta, GA  30348-5281

How to Protect Yourself

Protect Yourself When Shopping Online

To reduce or minimize the risk of becoming a victim of identity theft or fraud, there are some basic steps you can take.  For starters, remember the word SCAM: S     Be stingy about giving out your personal information to others unless you have a reason to trust them, regardless of where you are: At Home. Start by adopting a need to know approach to your personal data. Don't give out personal information on the phone, through the mail, or over the Internet unless you've initiated the contact or are sure you know who your are dealing with.  Even if you initiate the contact be careful, before revealing any identifying information (for example, on an application); ask how it will be used and secured and whether it will be shared with others. Tear or shred your charge receipts, copies of credit applications or offers, insurance forms, physician statements, checks and bank statements, and expired charge cards. Safeguard your computer and the personal information it stores.  Update your virus protection software regularly.  Look for security repairs and patches you can download from your operating systems Web site.  Don't download files from strangers or click on hyperlinks from people you don't know.  Use a firewall, especially if you have high-speed or are always on connection to the Internet.  Delete any personal information stored on your computer before you dispose of it. Travel Guard your mail from theft.  Deposit outgoing mail in a post office collection box or at your local post office instead of an unsecured mailbox.  Remove mail from your mailbox promptly.  If you are planning a trip and cannot pick up your mail, call the U.S. Postal Service at 1-800-275-8777 to ask for a vacation hold. C     Check your financial information regularly. Monitor the balances of your financial accounts.  You should be receiving monthly statements, from your bank or credit card companies that list transactions for the most recent month or reporting period.  Review your statements carefully and know your billing cycles.  Make sure that all charges, withdrawals, or drafts were authorized. A     Ask periodically for a copy of your credit report. Review copies of your credit report.  To ensure they are reporting accurate information, order copies of your credit report yearly from each of the three major credit reporting agencies. Equifax: 800-685-1111                    www.equifax.com   Experian: 888-397-3742                  www.experian.com    Trans Union: 800-888-4213           www.transunion.com M    Maintain careful record of your banking and financial accounts. Even though financial institutions are required to maintain copies of you checks, debit transactions, and similar transactions for five years, you should retain your monthly statements and checks for at least one year, if not more.  If you need to dispute a particular check or transaction especially if they bear your signatures your original records will be more immediately accessible and useful to the institutions that you have contacted. Even if you take all of these steps, it is still possible that you will become a victim of identity theft.  Records containing your personal data may be found or shared with someone who decides to use your data for fraudulent purposes.

When you are shopping online and are required to furnish sensitive information (account number, social security number, credit card number, etc.), make sure the site is secure. A secure site's URL in the address bar starts with https://.  Also if using Internet Explorer, look for the "Lock" Icon on the bottom bar of your browser.  If your browser session is secured in this way, your information is encrypted before being sent over the Internet connection.    Verified by VISATM  Protect your VISA, VISA  Platinum, and VISA  Debit cards with a personal password, giving you reassurance that only you can use your card online.  Once you activate your card with Verified by VISATM, no one else can use your VISA card number at any participating online stores without your personal password. Online Resources There are many online resources containing information for protecting yourself from identity theft.  Keeping updated is the best way for you to minimize the chance of becoming a victime of identity theft. U.S. Department of Justice  Identity Fraud - www.usdoj.gov/criminal/fraud/websites/idtheft.html Federal Trade Commission Identity Theft - www.consumer.gov/idtheft/ Social Security Online- www.ssa.gov/pubs/idtheft.htm Identity Fraud Website - www.identityfraud.com/site/ifi_home.htm Identity Theft Resource Center - www.idtheftcenter.org/ Fight Identity Theft - www.fightidentitytheft.com/