Protecting Your Identity

Safeguarding your personal and financial information is as important as stashing your cash.

Don’t Be a Victim

Shredding your identifying personal information is just one step in protecting yourself against fraud and identity theft. Don’t be a victim. Educate yourself on all the ways you can keep thieves away from you, your family and your money.

Phishing, Vishing, Smishing

Criminals will continue to come up with new ways to steal your information. Regardless of the delivery method, the strategy is often the same — using scare tactics to make you act hastily to protect yourself when, in actuality, you’re spoon-feeding your personal information to a crook.

Be smart. If your credit union or other financial institution needed to reach you, is this the manner in which they would do so? If you receive any type of communication that has a sense of urgency to it, don’t take any action. Instead, contact the institution directly via a phone number or messaging system you use regularly with them and inquire about the supposed issue.

Never provide your personal information to anyone who has contacted you. Only provide this information when you contact an organization directly via a confirmed method.

Safeguard Your Personal Information

Sometimes thieves will try to trick you into providing personal information. Other times, they will just steal it. Protecting your identity means protecting the four common keys to accessing it:

Your Social Security Number
Your account numbers
Your computer, smartphone and tablet
Your passwords

Keep any documents with account or social security numbers in a hidden, secure location. Shred documents that you don’t need. Keep your computer and other online devices protected with up-to-date system and security softwares. Use strong passwords and change them often.

Monitor Your Accounts and Credit Reports

If there is any fraudulent activity, you want to know about it as soon as possible to minimize damage and re-secure your identity. Monitor your accounts and review your statements thoroughly. Sign up for eStatements to keep your Blue Flame statements in secure. If you are active duty military, place an alerts on your file when you are deployed overseas.

Get a Free Annual Credit Report

You’re entitled to a free copy of your credit report once a year, with additional free reports if identity theft is suspected. Visit www.annualcreditreport.com to request your free report.

Sign Up for Credit Monitoring Service

The three credit bureau agencies offer various paid credit monitoring services with unlimited access to your credit report and score. Consider one of these paid services for optimum protection.

Learn more about Scam & Fraud Awareness and how to protect your Blue Flame accounts.

Already a Victim of Identity Theft?

If you become a victim of fraud or believe your identity has been compromised, take action quickly to mitigate your losses.

Contact the credit card company or financial institution where any fraudulent activity occurred. For MasterCard credit cards, call MasterCard directly at 1-844-583-1060.If the charges are not rectified immediately, file a police report.
Contact the Annual Credit Report Request Service at 877-322-8228 to receive advice and set a nationwide fraud alert. Let them know if a police report has been filed to block the fraudulent information from appearing on your credit reports.