Prevention

Protect Your Social Security Number

Don't carry your Social Security card in your wallet or write your Social Security number on a check. Give your Social Security number only when absolutely necessary, and ask to use other types of identifiers. If your state uses your Social Security number as your driver's license number, ask to substitute another number. Do the same if your health insurance company uses your Social Security number as your policy number.

Create a Complex Password

Place passwords on your credit card, bank, and phone accounts. Avoid using easily available information like: your mother's maiden name, your birth date, the last four digits of your Social Security number or your phone number, a series of consecutive numbers, or a single word that would appear in a dictionary. Combinations of letters, numbers, and special characters make the strongest passwords. When opening new accounts, you may find that many businesses still ask for your mother's maiden name. Find out if you can use a password instead.

Screen Your Trash

To thwart an identity thief who may pick through your trash or recycling bins to capture your personal information, always shred: charge receipts, copies of credit applications, insurance forms, physician statements, checks and bank statements, expired charge cards that you're discarding, and credit offers you get in the mail.

To opt out of receiving pre-screened offers of credit in the mail, call 888.567.8688. Note: you'll be asked to provide your Social Security number, which the consumer reporting companies need to match you with your file.

Use ATMs Alertly

When approaching an ATM, be aware of your surroundings, and have your card ready before you approach the ATM. If you're approaching via vehicle, ensure your doors are locked and all passenger windows are up. Avoid using the ATM if there are any suspicious-looking individuals around. Don't use the ATM if you notice anything unusual indicating it may have been altered. Be especially cautious when strangers offer to help you at an ATM, even if you are experiencing difficulty with the transaction, never allowing anyone to distract you while you are at the ATM. If you're standing at an ATM, shield the keypad with your body so no-one can see your PIN or anything else you're entering. If you feel the ATM is not working normally, press the Cancel key and withdraw your card and then proceed to another ATM. If your card gets jammed, retained or lost, or if you are interfered with at an ATM, report this immediately to the bank and/or police using the help line provided or nearest phone. Ensure that you've taken your receipt and carefully secured your card and cash in your wallet, handbag or pocket before leaving the ATM.

Request Your Free Annual Credit Report

Federal law allows you to request one free credit report every twelve months from each of the nationwide consumer credit reporting companies:  Equifax, Experian and TransUnion.  Take advantage of this every year to inspect your credit report and ensure no suspicious activity is present.  To keep your credit even more secure, you can sign up for our ID Theft Protection Plus and enjoy constant credit monitoring, notifications of suspicious activity and warnings if someone tries to change your address.  Protect your whole family's identity for less than $10 per month!

Enroll in MasterCard® SecureCode™

Make shopping online with your Michigan First MasterCard debit card even more secure with MasterCard SecureCode. Enrolling in this free service lets you create a password for your MasterCard that participating merchants must always verify before you complete an internet purchase--it's just like entering your PIN at an ATM. That's added protection against fraud on your account! Enroll or learn more now. 

Avoid Malware

Malware is malicious software that can corrupt your computer and retrieve your vital information. Avoid speaking to strangers online. Be cautious if you open emails from strangers. Do not click on any links in an email you received from a stranger. Also, never open any attachments from strangers or suspicious attachments from friends because it’s always possible their email account has been hacked. Be aware that hackers setup fake websites that resemble real ones to "phish" for your information.

Also protect your mobile phone. Your Smartphone is essentially a computer. Malware can make its way into your phone and cause just as much trouble as if it were in your computer. When you download an app it might be laced with malicious codes. Close any financial transactions or apps dealing with your finances when downloading any apps. Some malware tracks your keystrokes to log your usernames and passwords. Keep in mind that anti-virus software is available for smartphones.

Use Caution on Social Networks

You never know who’s around or whose friends with your acquaintances. Be careful when clicking on links on websites like Facebook and LinkedIn. Hackers also send emails that are made to look like they are from social networks to acquire your personal information.

Use Online Banking to Fight ID Theft

You can check your balances and transactions any time with online banking. If you see a strange charge to your account you might be stumbling upon the first signs of identity theft. Check your statements and contact Michigan First if you see something is amiss. As part of our efforts to combat the effects of identity theft, we’ve joined with one of the most trusted names in Identity Theft Recovery. Learn more about ID SafeChoice now.