Links for Identity Theft prevention

  • http://ftc.gov/bcp/menus/consumer/data/idt.shtm

  • http://www.ftc.gov/bcp/edu/microsites/idtheft//

  • AlertMe Credit Monitoring Service: a burglar alarm and insurance policy for your identity for only $4.25 per month.  This service will help protect you from idendity theft, and offers an insurance policy that covers expenses associated with restoring your identity and accounts in case your identity is stolen.
    Click here for more information.

    • How does AlertMe compare to other Identity Theft protection services, like LifeLock?
         
      • Other services charge a fee to put a perpetual "Fraud Alert" on your credit report.  With a Fraud Alert on your credit reports, you will be notified if anyone attempts to open a new trade account in your name.  You can put a fraud alert on your credit report yourself for free by calling the credit bureaus.  AlertMe monitors your Experian credit file and alerts you to any changes, including new trade accounts AND other indicators of Identity Theft such as a change of address.  This is not something you can sign up for yourself.
      • Other services offer a $1 million guarantee.  This guarantee only pays if LifeLock doesn't do what it says it is going to do (i.e., put a fraud alert on your credit report).  AlertMe's insurance policy covers all expenses and legal fees for recovering your identity in the event your identity is stolen, whether AlertMe's alerts worked or not.  As long as you are subscribed to AlertMe, you are protected.


What to do if you are the target of an Identity Theft attempt

Information on latest Identity Theft scams and other fraudulent claims that are circulating
Use these links to investigate current phishing attempts, identity theft schemes, "work from home" claims, email forwards you receive, and other suspicious claims.

 

Scam alert!

A member of BECU received an email claiming to be from the NCUA (National Credit Union Administration).  It informed him that his card had had unusal activity and it needed him to verify information or the card would be put on hold.  There is an email in the link which takes the reader to an unsecure site that asks for personal information including card number, PIN number, Social Security Number, and other information.  If you receive this email DO NOT enter your information.  For more information about fraudulent emails claiming to be from the NCUA, click here.  BECU will never email you a request for account information, PIN numbers, or other personal information.  If you think you have fallen victim to this type of scam, please call BECU immediately.

Scam alert!

Recently a member of BECU received a phone call from a man claiming to be a Vice President of Bowater Employees Credit Union.  The man told the member that someone had stolen $300 from her account, and that he needed her account number in order to put the money back in. She told him that she would not give him that information, and asked him what he had listed as her account number.He said he could not tell her that, and he told her that if she could not tell him her account number he would close her account.  The member refused to give her account number, got off the phone, and called BECU.

This man was not from BECU and was in fact a criminal attempting to gain account information.  Should you receive a call like this, DO NOT give the caller your account number.  BECU will never ask for your account number over the phone or in an email.  If a member of BECU staff needs to verify your identity over the phone we may ask for a social security number, phone number, address, password, or other identifier.

If you receive a call from an employee of BECU and have any doubt of its validity, get the name of the person you are speaking to, hang up, and call us directly at 423-336-7268 (or toll free at 866-285-4215) and ask for that individual.

Scam alert!

An employee of BECU recently received an email from "Fadella International".  The email claims that the recipient "might be interested in part time position to work from home" with their company, and can make up to $4,000/ month to "facilitate financial transactions from the clients".  They ask the recipient to follow a link to complete an application - at which point your account information will be requested.
Do not follow the links, and do not give your account information over the internet. 

© 2008 Bowater Employees Credit Union