IDENTITY THEFT
Identity theft can be defined as the
unauthorized use of someone's confidential information. Identity theft occurs
when someone uses your personal information such as your name, Social Security
number, credit card number or other identifying information, without your
permission to commit fraud or other crimes. Commerce Bank is concerned about
identity theft, and strives to minimize the risk to our customers. That is why
we affirm the identity of persons who contacts us before discussing account
matters.
You may learn more about identity theft and how you can protect yourself from
being a victim by going to
http://www.consumer.gov/idtheft
Here are some tips to protect
yourself from this crime:
- Don't give your Social Security number over the phone unless it's
absolutely necessary and you know the identity of the person requesting the
information.
- Be wary of giving out other identifying information, such as birthplace
and mother's maiden name unless you are sure of the person requesting the
information. This information is often used by financial institutions for
identification purposes.
- Lock your mailbox. If that is not possible, empty it as soon as possible
after mail delivery.
- Don't leave letters for pickup in your mailbox. Put them in a secure
U.S. Postal Service box or take them to the post office.
- Check your credit report at the three national credit bureaus (Experian,
Equifax, and Trans Union) at least annually and look for unauthorized
activity.
- Buy a paper shredder and use it to dispose of old financial records
(including tax returns), pre-approved credit card offers and any other
documents that may contain identifying information.
- Don't leave behind receipts that have credit or debit card numbers at
ATMs, stores or gas pumps.
- Don't put credit card or personal information on a website unless you
know that it is secure.
If you should fall victim to identity theft,
follow these steps as quickly as you can:
- Contact the three national credit bureaus (Experian, Equifax, and Trans
Union) and ask them to attach a "fraud alert" to your credit file. Each has
a website and a toll free number.
- Contact all your creditors (by phone and in writing) to inform them of
the problem.
- Contact the local police. They may be able to act under state consumer
protection laws.
- If mail use is suspected, notify your local postmaster.
- Alert Commerce Bank immediately so we can then watch for any unusual
activity or suggest other means of protecting your account.
- Request that any Personal Identification Numbers ("PINs") or passwords
used for account access are changed.
Contact the credit bureaus below for a copy of
your Credit Report:
Equifax:
(800) 525-6285 - to report fraud
(800) 685-1111 - to order credit report
Experian:
(888) 397-3742 - to report fraud
(888) 397-3742 - to order credit report
Trans Union:
(800) 680-7289 - to report fraud
(800) 916-8800 - to order credit report
Major Check Verification Companies:
Telecheck - (800) 710-9898
Equifax - (800) 437-5120
International Check Services - (800) 631-9656
Federal Trade Commission (FTC) Consumer Response Center:
Identity Theft Hotline:
1-877-IDTHEFT (438-4338)
TDD: (202) 326-2502
By mail: Identity Theft Clearinghouse
Federal Trade Commission
600 Pennsylvania Avenue NW
Washington, DC 20580
Online:
www.consumer.gov/idtheft
Social Security Administration (SSA):
By telephone: (800) 269-0271
By fax: (410) 597-0018
Online:
oig.hotline@ssa.gov
By mail: SSA Fraud Hotline
PO Box 17768
Baltimore, MD 21235
U.S. Postal Inspection Service (USPIS):
www.usps.gov/websites/depart/inspect
Massachusetts Attorney General's office:
Contact the Attorney General's Consumer Complaint Information Section at:
(617) 727-8400.
If you have any further
questions or concerns regarding the protection of your financial identity
please don't hesitate to call Commerce Bank & Trust 1-800-698-2265.
Please click here to read our Privacy Policy
