Tag Archives: identity theft

How To Protect Yourself From Identity Theft

identity

The first step in protecting yourself from identity theft is understanding what identity theft actually is. It’s defined as “the illegal use of someone else’s personal information usually in order to obtain money or credit.”

Do you have a credit card?  If so, in a study by Experian, 81% of people said they rely on their banks and credit card companies to protect them from fraud. We don’t want you to fall in that 81%, so we offer these 5 ways you can protect yourself.

  1. Freeze your credit – This will restrict access to all of your records so that any new credit files cannot be opened, unless you unfreeze it. There may be an additional fee to do this, but it will vary depending on the state.
  2. Create stronger passwords – Many people love to use the same password for a variety of different sites. In the end you may think this is a good idea, however it’s not. Mixing up your passwords in addition to making them more difficult will decrease your risk of your identity being stolen. If it helps, write your passwords down for your specific sites but be sure to keep that information in a safe place. Random combinations of letters, numbers and special characters work best.
  3. Limit your personal information – Are your full name, birthdate and family members listed on your social media sites? If that information is out there, it’s likely that anyone can see it. Limit the amount of personal information you put on the internet and check your privacy settings. Fraudsters may also pose as a bank/credit card company over the phone asking for your information. But, no real company will call asking for your personal information. Therefore, don’t give anything away!
  4. Check your credit/financial reports – You are allowed a free credit report from each of the credit bureaus every 12 months on AnnualCreditReport.com. Credit reports will include any leery activity on your accounts, so check your credit reports frequently for any incorrect information.
  5. Use a shredder – Don’t have a shredder? We recommend you buy one, especially if you’re throwing away any credit card or bank statements. Documents like those should not be placed in the garbage unless they are shredded to pieces. If they’re placed in the garbage, anyone has the ability to find it and steal your information.

There’s no doubt that identity thieves are out there, so it’s up to you to take extra caution. With these helpful tips, we hope you can become extra successful at protecting yourself from identity theft.

Securing Your Identity with Heartland Bank

Online Security

Capture fraudulent activity as soon as it happens with Heartland Bank’s secure Identity Theft Monitoring System. Powered by IDT911, this incredible systems helps users prevent data breaches, and safeguards their information. Learn the top 5 ways to improve your online information with these easy tips courtesy of Heartland Bank.

  1. Be Careful What You Post

When posting onto various social media accounts, be sure you’re not sharing too much! Many criminals can glean personal knowledge like your phone number, address, or children’s names, simply from viewing your public account.

  1. Beef Up Those Passwords

Be sure to maximize the security behind you online accounts with a heavy duty password. The more symbols, capitalizations, and random conjecture put together the better. A simple option to remember is to use symbols instead of letters when possible, so the work “password,” might become p@$$w0rD.

  1. Watch Out for Phishing Scams

If it seems too good to be true it most likely is! Many phishing scams these days however tend to attempt to duplicate a vendor you already know and use. If a familiar company sends you an email asking for immediate action, or confidential information, always check your personal communication and reach out to a company representative using contact information outside of the questionable email. This way you can confirm if the email is authentic without giving them access to any materials they are requesting.

  1. Double Check for Encryption

Before making any transactions online search for the site’s security certification or badge. Be sure that if you’re inputting any financial or credit card information that it remains secure. If no visible security is available on the website it may be best to find a different vendor.

  1. Educate Your Kiddos

Now that you know the ins and outs of online safety, make certain your children are up to the challenge as well! Have a talk with them to go over the right and wrong ways to use the internet, in addition to the areas online to stay away from.

Make sure your online safety is up to par with Heartland Bank’s Identity Theft Monitoring System! Get started to day by calling us at (515) 352-3181.

Traveling Increases your Risk for Identity Theft

Use these tips to protect yourself from identity theft while on vacation.

Use these tips to protect yourself from identity theft while on vacation.

 

Traveling comes with many adventures including exploring different cultures, exploring new food and relaxing for a few days. Traveling also brings a heightened risk for identity theft, so Heartland Bank is bringing you tips for decreasing your risk for identity theft while traveling. Continue reading →