Evaluate your credit report annually. For a small fee, you may obtain a copy of this report at any time. This will help you identify any mistakes or fraud.
To obtain a copy of your Credit Report. Simply contact one of the three credit bureaus below:
- Equifax: 800-685-1111 or www.equifax.com
- Experian: 888-397-3742 or www.experian.com
- TransUnion: 800-916-8800 or www.transunion.com
Identity theft has become a major crime in our society today. Dalhart Federal Savings & Loan Association is committed to protecting your personal confidential information. We also want to give you all the necessary information to help you minimize the risk of falling victim to identity theft or phishing.
- Be cautious when providing personal information over the internet, on the phone, or in person. Know the person you are talking to.
- Do not respond to unsolicited emails asking you to verify personal financial
information. Phishing attacks are ‘spoofed’ e-mails and fraudulent websites designed
to fool recipients into divulging personal financial data such as account user names
and numbers, passwords and social security numbers. Be suspicious of any email with an
urgent request for personal financial information.
Dalhart Federal Savings & Loan Association WILL NOT SOLICIT account numbers, account balances, pin numbers, social security #’s or any personal financial data by e-mail.
If you think your security has been compromised you will need to contact Dalhart Federal Savings & Loan Assn. as soon as possible at 806-249-8561.
- Notify us immediately to report any suspicious activity on your Bank account or to report lost checks or debit cards.
- Collect incoming mail as soon as possible to prevent the opportunity for theft. Know your billing and statement cycles and notify us if you stop receiving your regular statement. If you are not able to secure your mailbox, have your check reorder delivered to your Banking Center for safekeeping until you can pick them up.
- Do not write your passwords down, memorize them. Change your passwords often and use a combination of letters and numbers. Never give out your PIN (Personal Identification Number) or passwords and do not keep them in an easily visible place.
- Do not use your Social Security Number as a username or password. Protect your Social Security Number and leave your Social Security card in a secure place. Do not carry it in your wallet.
- Shred financial or personal documents before discarding. Cancel and cut up unused credit cards and credit card applications and checks. Most fraud and identity theft occurs as a result of mail and garbage theft.
- Promptly retrieve your incoming mail. Do not put outgoing mail in your unsecured residential mailbox. A locked mailbox is highly recommended if you are unable to retrieve your mail on a timely basis.
- Monitor the activity in your account often. Make it a habit to open your statement monthly, or use online banking to monitor and detect any fraudulent transactions timely. Be conscious of your billing cycles.
- Keep you computer safe by installing virus detection software and keeping the definitions up to date. Computer viruses have the potential to send out files and other stored personal information on your computer. Scan your entire computer for viruses periodically.
The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has a very informative website that describes how to protect yourself against identity theft and what to do if you are a victim. Goto www.consumer.gov/idtheft
“How Not to Get Hooked by a ‘Phishing’ Scam”—This article published by the Federal Trade Commission gives detailed information about this latest scam. Goto www.ftc.gov/bcp/conline/pubs/alerts/phishingalrt.htm
