Many Americans are concerned about someone stealing their credit card, check, or debit card numbers, but they may be ignoring one easy way thieves can access financial accounts: receipts.
Disregarding receipts that have valuable information greatly increases the risk of credit and debit card fraud. Thieves easily can find receipts with valid account numbers in trash cans. Some easy steps you can take to prevent thieves from stealing your financial information:
- Shred all preapproved credit offers, credit and debit card receipts, insurance forms, financial statements, and other paperwork containing personal and financial information.
- Check credit union statements and other financial statements monthly for discrepancies and order a credit report once a year to make sure no one else is using your personal information to obtain credit cards or services.
- Don't print your Social Security number on your checks and don't carry your Social Security card in your wallet.
- Be hesitant about giving personal financial information over the telephone - make sure you know the caller and know how the information will be used. For example, Alive Credit Union will never call to ask for any identifying or banking information. If you receive one of these calls, please hang up immediately and contact us directly at 904-296-1292. For more information about this phone call spoof scam going around, Click Here.
Staying alert and informed is the best defense against fraud. Be sure to check out our "Fraud & Security" collection of articles and other great topics.
