Identity theft occurs when someone uses your personal identifying information, like your name, Social Security number, or credit card number, without your permission, to commit fraud or other crimes. The crime takes many forms. Identity thieves may rent an apartment, obtain a credit card, or establish a telephone account in your name. You may not find out about the theft until you review your credit report or a credit card statement and notice charges you didn’t make—or until you’re contacted by a debt collector.

What is Phishing?

Phishing is the act of sending an email to a user in an attempt to lure the user into entering private information that will be used for identity theft. The email falsely claims to be from a legitimate financial institution, and usually tells the user to visit a certain web site by using a link contained in the email. The customer is then asked to update or verify personal information, such as passwords, pin numbers, account numbers and credit card information. This information is then used to steal the customer’s identity.

What is Pharming?

Pharming is the act of redirecting web traffic from a legitimate site to a site that looks almost identical to that of your financial institution. Often, the site is a very convincing look-alike where the customer enters personal information which is then gathered by the scammers and used to defraud the customer.

How to protect yourself

Do not open emails from unknown senders. Before entering personal information on a “secure” page, look for the “lock” icon in the bottom right corner. Independence Federal will never request that you update information such as your pin number or passwords via email. Independence Federal will not ask you to verify your account numbers via email as this is information we already have. Review often reports such as your credit report, bank statements, and credit card statements for inaccuracies or false transactions.

Follow the links below for more information:

• www.ftc.gov/idtheft Guide
• www.ssa.gov/pubs/idtheft.htm
• www.spoofstick.com
• www.banksecurity.com