Identity Theft with Phishing
Identity theft is a serious crime where someone illegally uses your personal information for their own gain. Information such as your name, address, date of birth, Social Security Number, passwords and PINs are obtained in order for the scammer to create new accounts, charge expenses to your accounts, or use your information for any other illegal purposes.

Brochure (PDF)

Phishers send out an email or pop-up message that claims to be from a business or organization that you deal with, for example, your Credit Union, online bill payer service, VISA or MasterCard. The message usually says that you need to “update” or “validate” your account information.  It might threaten some dire consequences if you don’t respond, such as your account being closed.  The message directs you to click on a link that takes you to a website that looks just like the legitimate organization’s site, with a website address that is similar to the legitimate one. The purpose of the fake website is to trick you into entering and submitting your personal and financial information to the scammers so they can steal your identity and run up bills or commit crimes in your name.

Tips to Protect Yourself Against Online Fraud

1. Never share your passwords or PINS to anyone.
   
2. Memorize your passwords and do not write them down. Create creative passwords, never use obvious passwords such as zip code, birthday.
3. Change your password often. Change your passwords every 30 to 60 days.
   
4. Never leave your computer unattended while using any home banking service. Sign off when you are done.
   
5. Use only secure sites. If you are providing your financial information, be sure the site is secure. One of the ways to determine if a site is secure is to look for the padlock icon usually located at the bottom of the
   Web page. If you double click on the icon, a pop-up window will appear with information about the site. The information in this window should match the Web site you're visiting.

Tips to Protect Yourself Against Credit Card Fraud

1. Sign your cards immediately once they arrive in the mail.
   
2. Memorize your PIN. Do not write it down.
   
3. Monitor your statements monthly.
   
4. Make sure you recognize all charges on your financial statements. If you see any suspicious transactions, contact your credit union or credit card issuer immediately.
   
5. Destroy duplicates. Make sure you tear or shred the receipts when you discard them as they contain important information about your identity and accounts.
   
6. Report a lost or stolen card immediately. If you act quickly, you will minimize the potential loss and liability to your accounts.
   
7. Carry only what's necessary. Only carry cards that you need, leaving others in a safe place at home.

Additional Tips to Protect Yourself Against Fraud

• Never reply to an email requesting personal or financial information (account numbers, passwords, balance information, PIN’s, mother’s maiden name, social security number, date of birth) and never click on the link in the message. Legitimate organizations, including 1st Advantage, don’t ask for this information via email. Contact 1st Advantage at (800) 359-7650 if you have any questions or concerns about your account.

• Never email personal or financial information to your Credit Union, or any other organization or person. Email is not a secure method of transmitting personal and financial information. Instead, use 1st Advantage’s secure online contact form, which can be located under “Contact Us” on our website.

• Always verify that the 1st Advantage website you are viewing is a legitimate one. You should see one of the following 3 addresses in the address banner at the top of your screen: (remember that phishing scammers give the wrong or similar websites address in order to trap and trick you)

1. 1stadvantage.org
2. members.1stadvantage.org

• Always verify that the 1st Advantage internet banking site, (Advantagenet), you are viewing has the URL beginning with “https:” – “s” stands for secure and the following official security icon/link at the bottom:

• Always review credit card and savings/checking account statements as soon as you receive them to determine whether there are any unauthorized charges. If your statement is late, you fail to receive it, or it contains unauthorized charges call the CU immediately at (800) 359-7650 to confirm your billing address and account balances.

• Always use anti-virus software on your home computers and keep it up to date. Some phishing emails contain software that can harm your computer or track your activities on the Internet without your knowledge.

• Always be cautious about opening any attachment or downloading any files from emails you receive, regardless of who sent them.

Reporting Fraud:
Even if you have been especially careful about keeping your personal information to yourself, identity theft can strike. Report suspicious activity to the Federal Trade Commission. The FTC works for the consumer to prevent fraudulent, deceptive and unfair business practices in the marketplace and to provide information to help consumers spot, stop and avoid them. 

• If you get spam that is phishing for information, forward it to spam@uce.gov. 
• If you believe you have been scammed, file your complaint at www.ftc.gov, and then visit the FTC’s Identity Theft Web site at www.consumer.gov/idtheft to learn how to minimize your risk of damage from ID theft. 
• Visit www.ftc.gov/spam to learn other ways to avoid email scams and deal with deceptive spam.
• View http://www.cuna.org/initiatives/idtheft.html for a interactive guide, which uses quizzes, simulations, and games to demonstrate how members can protect themselves from identity theft.

You may pick up a copy of the following books in one of our branch locations

By selecting this link, you are leaving 1st Advantage Federal Credit Union's website and linking to an alternate website not operated by the credit union. Please be aware that 1st Advantage is not responsible for the content of the alternate website, and privacy and security policies on the alternate web site may differ from those on 1st Advantage's website. 1st Advantage Federal Credit Union does not represent either the third party or the member if the two decide to enter into a transaction.

We do business in accordance with the Federal Fair Housing Law and the Equal Credit Opportunity Act.
Your savings federally insured to at least $250,000 and backed by the full faith and credit of the United States Government
by the NCUA (National Credit Union Administration), a U.S. Government Agency