Identity Theft Tips

The safety of your accounts and personal information is of highest importance.

Rochester & Monroe County Federal Credit Union will never ask you to confirm personal information using a link in an email. Any emails from us will advise you to navigate to our website RocMon.org and request that you log in to your own online banking account for security.

If you receive any suspicious emails from Rochester & Monroe County Federal Credit Union or individuals who say they are affiliated, please call us directly at (585) 546-4279.

Identity Theft Warning Signs

  • Fraudulent charges on your credit card statement
  • Missing credit card or financial statements 
  • Bills arrive for goods or services you didn’t purchase
  • Phone calls from creditors
  • Unexpectedly denied credit when applying for a new loan or credit card

How To Guard Against Identity Theft

  • Guard your Social Security Number, and be wary if anyone asks for it. 
  • Do not give out your PIN or credit card numbers over the phone unless you initiated the transaction.
  • Be very careful with receipts. Make sure you have them when you leave the store or ATM, and do not throw them into public trash cans.
  • Destroy pre-approved credit card offers before you throw them out. Purchase a small home shredder for use on all financial statements, receipts and canceled checks.
  • Commit all passwords and PIN numbers to memory so no one can see them in writing.
  • Add special characters to passwords to add complexity. Examples of this include replacing “E” with “3,” including exclamation points at unexpected spots, or in place of the letter “i.” You can make it complex and unique to thwart hackers, but still memorable for your own convenience.
  • Change your passwords annually.
  • Limit the number of personal identification cards and credit cards that you carry. If they are stolen, you’ll have fewer to replace.
  • Keep your birth certificate and Social Security card in a safe deposit box. Carry these items with you only on the days that you need them.
  • Review your credit report each year. If someone is applying for credit in your name and you haven’t noticed any warning signs, a copy of your credit report may help point this out. 
    • You can obtain a free credit report once a year from each of the credit reporting agencies. Online at www.AnnualCreditReport.com or 1-877-322-8228.

Help Keep Online Transactions Secure

Avoid sending sensitive information, such as account numbers through UNSECURED email.

Passwords or PIN numbers should be used when accessing an account online.

Keep your computer software up-to-date to ensure network and browser security.

  • Avoid sending sensitive information, such as account numbers through UNSECURED email.
  • Passwords or PIN numbers should be used when accessing an account online.
  • Keep your computer software up-to-date to ensure network and browser security.

What is Phishing?

Phishing attacks can come in the mail, over the phone, or over email. “Spoofed” solicitations are designed to fool recipients into divulging personal financial data such as credit card numbers, account usernames and passwords, social security numbers, etc. 

By hijacking the trusted brands of well-known financial institutions, online retailers and credit card companies, phisheres are able to convince up to 5% of recipients to respond to them.

If you need a second opinion on whether an email you received is valid, please call us at (585) 546-4279. Our team will always help investigate to validate or discredit any suspicious solicitation.

How to Avoid Phishing Scams

  • Be suspicious of any email with urgent requests for personal financial information.
  • Never click on links in a suspicious email.
  • Always ensure that you are using a secure website when submitting credit card or other sensitive information via your web browser. Secure websites include the prefix “https://”.
  • Regularly log into your online accounts and check your financial institution credit and debit card statements to make sure that all transactions are legitimate.
  • Make sure that your computer’s browser is up-to-date. It can help warn you of suspicious activity.

What To Do If You Are An Identity Theft Victim

  1. Contact your credit card company and your financial institution and close your accounts.
    • The FBI suggests that you put passwords (not your mother’s maiden name) on any new accounts you open.
  2. Call the three major credit bureaus to report identity theft. Request that a “fraud alert” be placed on your file and that no new credit be granted without your approval.
    • Equifax: 800-525-6285
    • Experian: 888-397-3742
    • TransUnion: 800-680-7289
  3. Call the Social Security Fraud Hotline: 1-800-269-0271
  4. Contact the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) theft hotline: 1-877-438-4338 or via www.identitytheft.gov
  5. File a police report, and get a copy of the report in case you need proof of the crime later for credit card companies, etc.