Home Page
 Online Banking
 Membership
 Accounts
 Loans
 Rates & Fees
 Member Services
 Investments
 Insurance
 Careers
 About WPCCU

 

WPCU Home » Member Services » Tools and Education

Security Alert
  » Fraudulent Email
  » fakechecks.org
Identity Theft
How can someone steal your identity? Identity theft occurs when someone uses your personal information such as your name, Social Security number, credit card number or other identifying information, without your permission to commit fraud or other crimes.
Identity theft is a serious crime. People whose identities have been stolen can spend months or years - and their hard-earned money - cleaning up the mess thieves have made of their good name and credit record. In the meantime, victims may lose job opportunities, be refused for loans, education, housing or cars, or even get arrested for crimes they didn't commit.


How To Prevent Identity Theft
  • Do not give out your personal information unless you are the one generating the call or request
  • Do not click on links in e-mails that
    are asking to verify or provide
    personal information
  • Call the business directly and
    validate the request before
    providing any information
  • Online banking users should
    change their passwords frequently (every 3 to 6 months)
  • Look for the padlock (). Make sure you are on a secure website
  • Review monthly statements for errors or changes you did not incur
  • Do not provide any personal identifying information such as account numbers or social security number via e-mail
  • Check credit report at least twice a year
  • Take outgoing mail to post office
  • Shred, shred, shred
  • Carry only the credit cards you use
  • Use anti-virus software
Best Practices for Online Security
To help prevent fraud, you should:
  • Delete any emails without opening it if you don't recognize the sender.
  • Do not open attachments. If an attachment comes from an unrecognized sender, delete it immediately.
  • Only install software from trusted sources and known origin. Software sent via email is particularly dangerous as viruses are often transmitted via email.
  • Install and maintain Antivirus and Anti-Spyware software on your computer.
  • Update your computer operating system and web browser software to benefit from the latest security protections.
  • Pay attention to warning messages presented through your browser.  Browser warning messages may indicate a security threat.

Report Email Fraud

If you think you have received a suspicious email, pop-up ad or have been directed to a suspicious looking website, file a Federal Trade Commission (FTC) Consumer Complaint and an Internet Fraud Complaint Center (IFCC) Complaint. 

If you have entered personal information in response to a fraudulent email, you should act immediately to reduce the risk of becoming a victim.  Here's what to do:

  • Report the incident to the WPCCU Member Service Representative at (800) 300-9728.
  • Contact these credit bureaus and instruct them to flag your accounts with a "fraud alert."
    • Equifax Fraud Hotline (800) 525-6285
    • Experian Fraud Hotline (888) 397-3742
    • TransUnion Fraud Hotline (800) 680-7289
  • Contact credit card companies if you provided card account information in the phishing scam.  Close any affected accounts so that they are registered as "closed at customer request."
  • File a FTC Identity Theft Complaint with the FTC or call the FTC Identity Theft Hotline at (877) 438-4338.
  • File a Social Security Administration (SSA) Fraud Report with the Social Security Administration if you entered your Social Security number in response to a fraudulent email.  You can also call the SSA Fraud Hotline at (800) 269-0271.

As a WPCCU member, the security of your accounts and personal information are a priority to us.  We will work in cooperation with you and law enforcement agencies to investigate any suspicious activity.

Credit Solicitations

Businesses can obtain information about you from public records such as those available at Los Angeles County Registrar-Recorders Office. They may use this information to market their services, and sometimes make reference to our credit union. WPCCU cannot control or restrict the use of publicly available information about you, nor do we authorize these businesses to use our name. There are some steps you can take to minimize these and other types of direct mail solicitations.
 
You can contact credit-reporting agencies directly and ask that your name be removed from unsolicited credit offers from credit card companies and financial institutions. You may call (888) 5-OPT-OUT (5678-688) or write to:

Experian
P.O. Box 9556
Allen, TX 75013

Equifax
P.O. Box 740241
Atlanta, GA 30374

Trans Union
P.O. Box 97328
Jackson, MI 39288-7328.

Direct Mail and Telemarketing Solicitations
You can contact the Direct Marketing Association (DMA) and ask that your name be removed from lists used for direct mail and telephone solicitations. This will eliminate advertising from companies that subscribe to the DMA services, but there are many other companies that do not subscribe. For the companies that do not subscribe, you will need to contact them directly.

Mail Preference Services
Direct Marketing Association
P.O. Box 9008
Farmingdale, NY 11735-9008
Telephone Preference Service
 
Direct Marketing Service
P.O. Box 9014
Farmingdale, NY 11735-9014

For additional questions about our Privacy Policy, please contact Water and Power Community Credit Union at 800-300-9728 or you can write us at Water and Power Community Credit Union, Attn: Compliance, 1053 West Sunset Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90012-2134.


Top
©2006-2007 Water and Power Community Credit Union
Privacy Policy | Contact Us | Help | Site Map