enews

P&C EFCU e-Newsletter

Fall Edition 2005 P&C Employees Federal Credit Union (315) 468-0699

IDENTITY THEFT

YOUR CREDIT REPORT

It is becoming more and more prominent and protecting your identity against theft can sometimes seem to be more than a chore. So how do you guard against identity theft? It isn't easy, but here are a few tips to help protect yourself:

   1. Remove mail promptly from your mailbox.
        Never use your mailbox for outgoing mail.
        Identity thieves raid mailboxes for credit card
        offers and statements.
   2. Guard your social security number. Do not
        give out your PIN or credit card numbers
        over the phone unless you initiated the
        transaction.
   3. Be very careful with receipts. Make sure you
        have them when you leave the store or ATM
        and do not throw them into public trash cans.
   4. Review your credit report from time to time.
       The major credit bureaus are:
        Experian -      (888) 397-3742
        Equifax -      (800) 685-1111
        TransUnion - (800) 888-4213
   5. Destroy pre-approved credit card offers
        before you throw them out.
   6. Account for all new checkbooks when you
        receive them in the mail.
   7. Block your ATM transaction with your body
        and prevent someone from learning your PIN.
        Ensure you are using a legitimate ATM
        machine and that the magnetic strip card
        reader has not been tampered with.
   8. Commit all passwords and PIN numbers to
        memory so no one can see them in writing.

You can obtain a free credit report once a year from each of the credit reporting agencies- Experian, Equifax and Trans Union.

The FAIR and ACCURATE CREDIT TRANSACTIONS ACT, passed by Congress, allows all individuals the right to check their credit report once every year.

Contact the credit reporting agencies listed in this newsletter or you can go online to:
www.AnnualCreditReport.com or calling toll free (877) 322-8228.

CURRENT PROMOTIONS

(CLICK ON THE PICTURE)

KEEP ONLINE TRANSACTIONS SECURE

Avoid sending sensitive information, such as account numbers and confidential information, through UNSECURED e-mail. Passwords and PIN numbers should be used when accessing an account online and do not use your social security number for a password or PIN.

General security over your personal computer such as virus protection and physical access controls such as password protection should be used and updated regularly. Ensure that the merchant that you are dealing with online is reputable and that they are not a victim of phishing scams. Phishing is fraudulent websites designed to foll recipients into divulging personal financial information and hi-jacking trusted brands of online retailers.

WHAT TO DO IF YOU ARE
A VICTIM

Close your accounts and create passwords for any new accounts. Request both a "fraud alert" with the three major credit bureaus and that no new credit be granted without your approval. Notify authorities immediately.

HOLIDAY LOAN

THANK YOU FOR YOUR PATRONAGE TO
P&C EFCU

IT'S A FACT:
Average identity theft victims spend 607 hours resolving their case with $1,495 in out-of-pocket expenses.

P&C Employees Federal Credit Union 933 State Fair Blvd. Syracuse, NY 13209