Vertrue Incorporated
brings you the following information:
Vertrue
Points Out What You Need
To Know To Protect Yourself and Your Financial Privacy and Credit
Information
Vertrue
notes that
theft of personal and financial information has
become a major problem facing consumers today. Unauthorized use
of your financial/credit information can be expensive; it can
adversely affect your credit rating; and it will take considerable
time and effort to repair the damage. The following simple steps
can help you protect the privacy of your personal financial information
and reduce the risks of identity theft and credit card fraud.
~ Vertrue
recomends that you do not give out your personal financial information - either
by phone, mail or email - unless you initiated contact with the company.
Even if you did initiate contact, before you provide your credit
card number or other financial information, find out exactly how
the company will use that information and whether they might pass
it on to a third party.
~ Review the privacy policy of
any company with which you do business (including your bank and
your credit card issuer) to determine exactly what personal and
financial information it is collecting about you, how it might
use your information, and who else it may be shared with. Similarly,
review the privacy policy of any company you transact with before
you provide personal or financial information. Banks and other
companies often post their privacy policies on their websites.
If you do not find it there, contact
the bank or company directly and
request a copy of their policy.
~ The
privacy policy that gives you the greatest protection
is one in which no personal
information is shared with third-parties.
~ Opt
to "opt out." When reviewing the privacy
policy, check what procedure you will need to follow if you do not wish
to have your personal and financial information shared with any other
party (often referred to as the "opt out" provision). Federal privacy
laws allow you an "opt out" right that limits the extent to which
companies can share parts of
your personal and financial information to other non-affiliated companies.
Some companies require that you notify them in writing of your decision
to "opt
out."
~ Be
aware that companies might use your pre-acquired account information that's
on file. If you have already given a company your credit card number or other information,
or if your bank provided the information
to a company, you do not need to provide that pre-acquired account
information again. The use of pre-acquired account information can
be good for consumers for a couple of reasons. It gives companies
and consumers with away of completing sales quickly and accurately,
and it reduces the opportunities for identity theft by a company's
representatives because they do not have access to a consumer's billing
details. Just make sure that you have checked the company's privacy
policy and are aware of exactly how your pre-acquired account information
will be used and with whom it might be shared if you decide to give
it to a company or if you find that your bank provides it to third-parties.
~ Remember that the last four digits of your credit card
are unique to you. The first series of numbers on your
credit card identifies the credit card issuer and other information
about the credit card issuer. The last four digits are the unique
identifiers of your account. Be as careful when you provide the
last four digits of your account number as you would be when you
provide your entire credit card number.
~ Vertrue
suggests that you consider using a "virtual" credit card when
making Internet purchases. Many credit card issuers now offer an
online version of a consumer's physical credit card, only without
the actual account number displayed. The consumer must enter a PIN
number when he or she uses the card to make a purchase. Because the
consumer does not have to enter the actual credit card number online, the
risk of someone stealing that number through online transactions
is greatly reduced.
~ Protect your PIN number. Keep
your PIN
number private. Never disclose your code. Never write your PIN number
on your ATM or credit
card sleeve. Never keep your PIN number in your wallet or purse with
your ATM card. Never let anyone hear or see you enter your PIN number.
Cover your hand movements when entering your PIN number so people
waiting in line can't see. Always wait for your ATM receipt - it
lists your account number, balance and the amount you just withdrew.
~ Vertrue
recomends you review your credit card and bank statements as
soon as you receive them. If there is any suspicious charge on the
statement that you do not recognize, contact your credit card issuer
immediately to dispute the charge.
~ Guard your Social Security number, bank account
number, or other personal financial information. Do not provide this
information to any company that contacts you and asks for it. Remember,
you are not required to provide your Social Security number to any
company, even if they ask for it. It is a key piece of information
that identity thieves use. Do not carry your social Social security
Security card with you; keep it in a very secure place.
~ Beware
of internet "Phishing" Scams. High-tech thieves use spam
or pop-up messages
that claim to be from a business, financial institution or other
company you
deal with. The message generally states that the company is "updating" or "validating" your
account information. If you give the requested information, these
thieves can steal your identity and ruin your credit. Remember, legitimate companies
do not ask for your personal, financial information by email. Don't email
personal or financial information unless you have initiated the transaction by
ordering something through a company's website.
~ Refuse pre-approved credit card offers. The
applications are easy to steal and easy to use. To get your name
off pre-approved credit card lists, call 1-888-5-OPT-OUT. The information
goes only to the three major credit bureaus, and the information
you provide is used to stop your credit history from being sold
to companies that want to screen you for a credit card.
~ Vertrue
points out that at least once a year, order a credit report from
all three major credit reporting agencies - Equifax, TransUnion and
Experian. Make sure you understand all of the information provided
in the reports for each account listed in your name.
~ Shred
all of your personal financial information as soon
as it's no longer needed. Never put personal information into
a trashcan (including those pre-approved credit card offers),
where an identity thief easily could retrieve and use it.
~ Consider
a cross-cut shredder. Strip-cut shredders, also known
as straight-cut or spaghetti-cut, slice the paper into long,
thin strips. Cross-cut shredders provide more security by cutting
paper vertically. The shredded paper compresses better so the
basket holds more cut paper.
~ Report
a lost or stolen driver's license to the department
of motor vehicles. If your state uses your Social Security
number as your driver's license number, ask to substitute another
number.
~ If
the thief has stolen your mail, such as new credit
cards, pre-screened credit card offers, bank statements
or tax information, report the incident to the U.S. Postal Inspection
Service, the law enforcement arm of the U.S. Postal Service responsible
to for investigate investigating cases of identity theft. Call
the U.S. Post Office at (800) 275-8777 to obtain the phone number
of the nearest Postal Inspector, or check the website: www.usps.gov/websites/depart/inspect
~ Vertrue
warns if your Social Security card has been stolen, you
should apply for a replacement card, but Social Security takes
no special action because it has been stolen. For details on
replacing your card go to: www.socialsecurity.gov/replace_sscard.html
Vertrue points
out that you should file a complaint with the Federal Trade Commission
at:
www.consumer.gov/idtheft
1-877-IDTHEFT
(438-4338)
202-326-2502
Equifax - www.equifax.com
To order a credit report, call (800) 685-1111
To report fraud, call (800) 525-6285
Experian - www.experian.com
To order a credit
report, call 888-EXPERIAN (397-3742)
To report fraud, call 888-EXPERIAN (397-3742)
TransUnion - www.transunion.com
To order a credit report, call (800) 888-4213
To report fraud, call (800) 680-7289
Back
Vertrue Incorporated is headquartered
in Norwalk, Conneticut. The company is a category leader in both
membership and loyalty programs that bring value direct to consumers
through a range of benefits in healthcare, discounts, security
and personals. Corporate client partners benefit from programs
that effectively enhance market presence, strengthen customer
affinity and generate additional value through the broad online
and offline distribution capabilities of Vertrue.
www.vertrue.com
