Lending

Credit Services

Monday, October 24, 2016 10:19:00 AM

Credit Services

It is always a good idea to evaluate your credit report annually to help identify any mistakes or fraud.  Every 12 months the Fair Credit Reporting Act guarantees you access to your credit report from each of the three nationwide credit reporting companies - Equifax, Experian or TransUnion, or you may get a free credit report from www.annualcreditreport.com.  If you have a discrepancy you may simply contact any one of the three credit bureaus listed below:

AnnualCredit Report.com

This site is highly recommended to be your source for the free annual credit report that's yours by law. Beware of other sites that may look and sound similar. The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) advises consumers who order their free annual credit reports online to be sure to spell out in your web browser address box, www.annualcreditreport.com or link to it from the FTC's website to avoid being misdirected to other websites that offer supposedly free reports.

"Annualcreditreport.com will never send you an email solicitation for your free annual credit report, or use pop up ads."

Identity theft has become a major crime in our society today. Dalhart Federal Savings & Loan Association SSB 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.

  1. Be cautious when providing personal information over the internet, on the phone, or in person. Know the person you are talking to.
  2. 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, SSB 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 Association, SSB as soon as possible at 806-249-8561.

  1. Notify us immediately to report any suspicious activity on your Bank account or to report lost checks or debit cards.
  2. 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.
  3. 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.
  4. 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.
  5. 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.
  6. 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.
  7. 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.
  8. 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. Go to www.ftc.gov/bcp/edu/microsites/idtheft2012/

FTC (Federal Trade Commission) has published videos to help consumers be on guard against internet fraud, secure their computers and protect personal information. Click on the URL http://ftc.gov/bcp/edu/multimedia/video/ogol/phishing/index.shtml  to view these videos.