 
Up to 500,000 individuals are victims each year of identity theft,
a fast-growing form of fraud. Fortunately, a few simple steps can
help ensure you stay out of these statistics.
"Identity theft" or "account takeover fraud" involves
criminals stealing a person's personal information. The crooks
assume a person's identity, apply for credit in his or her name,
run up huge bills, stiff creditors and generally wreck the victim's
credit record.
At Zapata National Bank, we put a combination
of safeguards in place to protect customers, including employee
training, rigorous security standards, data encryption and fraud
detection. You can take these steps to avoid becoming a victim:
- Don't give your Social Security or account
numbers to anyone over the phone unless you initiated the
call.
- Tear up receipts, old bank statements and unused credit
card offers before throwing them away. Crooks could steal
information from your trash and use it to get credit in your
name.
- Review your bank and credit card statements as soon as
you receive them to check for unauthorized transactions.
- Protect your PINs and computer passwords; use a combination
of letters and numbers and change them often. Never carry
this information with you!
- Order copies of your credit report once a year to ensure
accuracy. Call any of the three national credit reporting
agencies: Trans Union (800-888-4213), Equifax (800-685-1111)
and Experian (888-397-3742).
- Report any suspected fraud to your bank and credit card
issuers immediately so they can start work to close accounts
and clear your name right away.
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By law you are only liable for the first $50 of
unauthorized charges against a credit card. Still, restoring your
identity can be a tremendous inconvenience. It's worth your while
to exercise a little preventive maintenance. Protect yourself against
this terrible crime. |
