Identity Theft Awareness Week: What should you do if you’re a victim?

Identity Theft Awareness Week is January 27-31. This week, we’re covering all things Identity Theft and offering up ways to protect yourself.

According to the FTC, people in their 30s are most likely to become victims of identity theft. However, the elderly are more likely to suffer large monetary losses. That said, Identity theft can happen to anyone. And, if it’s happened to you, it’s important to act swiftly to reduce the damage it can cause. Here’s what to do if you believe someone has used your personal or financial information without your permission:

• Contact the Federal Trade Commission at IdentityTheft.gov or 877.438.4338 to file an identity theft report and get a recovery plan to help you reclaim your identity.
• Contact each of the three credit bureaus, Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion, to freeze your credit reports. You should also ask them to set a fraud alert, which alerts creditors that they need to verify your identity before opening any new credit accounts or increasing existing credit limits.
• Report the fraud to the bank, credit card issuer, utility company, or other service provider involved. Also let bankHometown know, so we can help you secure your accounts with us.
• Visit your local police department to file a report.

CyberScout^®
Have you heard about CyberScout? bankHometown offers CyberScout^®, an identity theft resolution service that provides expert assistance in helping to resolve situations where your personal information has been compromised. This service costs just $10 a year and is offered to customers who have a bank checking account. Visit the CyberScout^® page on our website to learn more about how this service can help you deal with the aftermath of identity theft.

Want to learn more about identity theft and how to protect yourself?
This Identity Theft Awareness Week, we’re equipping you with the information you need to protect your personal information all year round. Watch for new content all week long. Visit our Identity Theft Awareness Week webpage to learn more or drop by any office to pick up a free Identity Theft brochure.

bankHometown is here to protect you.
Your security is our priority. To learn more about ways we can help you safeguard your accounts, contact us at 888.307.5887 or stop by your nearest office.