ID Theft Web Resources If you are a victim of identity theft, the websites below will help you. They include a wide range of resources and steps that victims should follow to restore and protect their identity.  As always, your credit union offers free support and assistance.  Contact Member Services for help. Warning: Not all ID Theft sites on the web are safe. Some are designed to intentionally scam you.   A good rule of thumb is to use .org websites rather than .com websites.   The sites listed below are SAFE websites. Federal Trade Commission - Protecting American Consumers (Great site!)  Free Credit Report - Q&A - Or call 877-322-8228 for a free report FTC - Identity Theft Site - Direct link "Take Charge:  Fighting Back Against ID Theft" Includes step-by-step instructions, forms and who to contact -- an exceptional resource! Michigan State Police - ID Theft Links      Identify Theft Resource Center Get a Free Credit Report Obtain a free credit report once every 365 days.  Warning: Do not fall for the "freecreditreport.com" commericals, the service includes an added annual membership, and is NOT free.  The site below offers good resources and FAQ's (questions and answers). Or call 877-322-8228 (not 800-322-8228 which is a paid service).

Placing a Fraud Alert on Your Credit Report

The resource, "Take Charge: Fighting Back Against ID Theft" (above and left) offers step-by-step instructions on page 5 regarding how to place a fraud alert on your credit report, and review your credit report. 

The following is an excerpt from that document, which can be downloaded FREE by clicking on the booklet (above and left). Note: It may take a few minutes for the page to load.

-- Fraud alerts can prevent an identity thief from opening any more accounts in your name.  Contact the toll-free numbers of any of the three consumer reporting agencies below to place a fraud alert on your credit report.  You only need to contact ONE of the three companies to place an alert.  The company you call is required to contact the other two, which will place an alert on their version of your report, too.

- Equifax:  800-525-6285 - PO Box 740241, Atlanta GA 30374-0241
- Experian: 1-888-EXPERIAN (888-397-3742)  - PO Box 9532, Allen TX 75013
- TransUnion:  1-800-680-7289  - Fraud Victim Assistance Division - PO Box 6790, Fullerton CA 92834

Once you place a fraud alert in your file, you are are entitled to order a FREE copy of your credit report, and if you ask, only the last four digits of your social security number will appear on your credit reports.

Video regarding Credit Union Safety and Soundness
with Credit Union National Association President/CEO Dan Mica

Schemes & Scams:  The Latest!
Updated January 8, 2010

Craig's List Scam -- 1/8/10 - New!
Advertisements have been posted on Craig's List as part of a credit union "membership recruitment scam.  The ad solicits credit union members specifically, and offers $75 or more in "gaining membership for ineligable consumers."  Others invite members of credit unions to "help them join a credit union, or get a credit card."   Keep in mind, there is no such thing as "free money," and if someone wants to join a credit union, they can do it without your help -- although referrals to ICCU are always welcome and appreciated.

The following are samples of the messages -- each of which are a scam:

If your an ABC Credit Union Member MAKE SOME EXTRA $$
This is NOT a scam! I am willing to call you and discuss extensively! I need a ABC Credit Union Member to sponsor me into the credit union. I am willing to pay $100 USD for this service. Please email me and we can discuss this in detail. This is a 1 day process and I want to become a member for investment account/interest rate purposes.

Fake Emails from Credit Unions -- 11/16/09 -- An ICCU member told us "they were sent an e-mail from Community Driven Credit Union in Detroit, asking for their account information."   The email appeared ligitimate, but they aren't a member of that credit union.  Please know that ICCU will never ask for your account information via email (it's unsafe) and we have it!  If something doesn't feel "right" trust your gut, hang up or hit delete and call YOUR credit union directly.   Do not reply to the email or text messages, or ask them to remove you - just hit delete.  

Voice Phising Scam -- 11/5/09 -- Michigan credit union members are being targeted in a voice phising scam.  An automated caller asks members to "enter their credit or debit card number to either validate or verify for security reasons."   When the number is entered (which you should NEVER do), they are asked to enter their four-digit PIN and/or three digit security code.    These appear to be random and in all instances reported, the "caller" has not identified the credit union name, but rather says something like "your card" or "your security/fraud department is calling." 

Please know that ICCU does not work with any card vendor that will call you and ask for your account information -- we/they have it.  Please note, that some card vendors may call about suspicious transactions, but will NEVER ask for your account or card number.  If you have any questions at any time about a call, HANG UP and call your credit union.

.99 cent items -- Not always a great deal:  Watch out for companies that lure you in -- offering a super discounted price of .99 cents for an item (teeth whitening products, credit report, weight loss products, etc.).  Consumers are getting stuck by not reading the fine print and then clicking "agree," -- which then generates a re-occuring shipment, which is charged to their credit card.   If you have to give your credit card for a .99 cent item you may be paying far more than you anticipated -- and for a long time.  Before you hit "agree" or "yes," to any purchase be sure to READ THE FINE PRINT!

Lottery Scam:  Beware of secret shopper and/or lottery scams that offer you a check for $6,500.  People are asked to deposit the check, and then send a $100 back to the sender.  A few weeks later, the check in turn bounces (with overdraft fees) and the thieves have access to the person's account records, etc.  If someone offers to GIVE YOU MONEY don't fall for it.  It is too good to be true.  Just hit delete, or hang up.  And, then report it.

Fakechecks.org - As seen on TV!
 This website was created by the National Consumers League (NCL), the nation's  oldest nonprofit   consumer organization, as a central source of information and  advice about fake check scams.

  NCL created the site in collaboration with the Alliance for Consumer Fraud  Awareness, a coalition of consumer and business organizations, and government  agencies committed to fighting fake check scams.

Phising & Vishing
  Click on the graphic to test your knowledge about "phising scams."  This is a safe website.

  Vishing  - What is it?  Where fraudsters often use a phone to steal member's financial information.  This scam is called "vishing," short for voice phishing.

  Online Version of "Vishing" = The scammer sends a blast e-mail disguised to appear as though it is from your financial insitution.  It may include a trusted logo.  The e-mail typically reports a "security problem" regarding the receipients account, and "urges the member to call a telephone number to straighten things out."  An AUTOMATED attendent prompts the caller to "enter their account number, password or private information for "security verification" purposes.  Don't fall for it, hit delete! 

Cold Call = The member's caller ID device may list a legitimate looking local number to inspire trust.  A pre-recorded message (or a live "employee") claims the member's account as been "compromised or needs updating verification."  The member is asked to "enter or say their account information" which is digitally transcribed onto the hard drive of the scammers computer.  Don't fall for it.  Just hang up.

The Bottom Line = Report VoIP threats to your financial insitution, and to local federal law enforcement agencies.  Your credit union will NEVER call you for detailed account information - we have it! If you are hesitant about a contact you receive, simply HANG UP or DELETE the message, then contact ICCU directly to confirm or verify the inquiry. 

ICCU PRIVACY INFORMATION

Isabella Community Credit Union greatly values the privacy of its member-owners and has strict policies and procedures to protect consumer information from being disclosed to unauthorized parties.

For your protection, the web site is a secure site using encryption provided by Verisign. You can feel safe providing your personal information in a secure environment to complete financial transactions quickly and conveniently. 
If you are interested, more detailed information is available below.

If you choose to provide ICCU with personal information such as application information or e-mail address, ICCU will not provide or sell your personal information to any third party for independent use. We may however, share your information if any of the following applies:

• The information is required in order to facilitate a transaction or service initiated or requested by you.
• You make written requestor authorization for the disclosure of information.
• Law requires the disclosure.

ICCU will always strive to maintain the integrity of your personal information, both on the Internet and in our offices, according to our strict security and confidentiality standards and the law.

Protecting Children's Privacy Online
The Children's Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA) was passed by Congress in October 1998, with a requirement that the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) issue and enforce rules concerning children's online privacy.  The primary goal of the Act and the Rule is to place parents in control over what information is collected from their children online.  The Rule was designed to be strong, yet flexible, to protect children while recognizing the dynamic nature of the Internet. Click here to read the Frequently Asked Questions about the Children's Online Privacy Protection Rule.

http://www.ftc.gov/infosecurity

What These Privacy Rules Mean to You
ICCU is committed to protecting the privacy of children (and everyone) who visits its site.  You probably noticed that we don't ask you for your name, we don't ask you for your e-mail address, and we don't have a chat room where other people can ask you for personal information.

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