Identity Theft

How Identity Theft can Affect You
    The consequences of identity theft can be staggering.  Victims spend extensive time closing bad accounts, opening new ones, and fixing credit reports.  There can be high out-of-pocket expenses related to clearing your name.

What Identity Thieves Do with Your Information
     Identity thieves frequently open new accounts in your name.  They often apply for new credit cards using your information, make charges, and leave the bills unpaid.   Thieves also often access your existing accounts.  They may take money from your bank accounts, make charges on your credit cards, and use your checks and credit to make down payments for cars, furniture, and other expensive items.  They may even file for government benefits including unemployment insurance and tax refunds.
     Unfortunately, thieves often use a stolen identity again and again.  It is very common for victims to learn that thieves have opened and accessed numerous accounts, often over a long span of time.

How Identity Theft Happens
    Identity theft can occur when your purse of wallet was stolen or lost.  Thieves also steal identities from the trash-this is called "dumpster diving"- and it can occur at home, at work, or at a business.  Home computers can be infected with viruses that transmit your data to thieves.  "Pretext" is another method of identity theft.  The identity thief poses as a legitimate representative of a survey firm, bank, Internet service provider, employer, landlord, or even a government agency. The thief contacts you through the mail, telephone, or e-mail and attempts to get you to revel your information, usually be asking you to "verify" some data.

Steps to prevent Identity Theft       
Keep personal information safe.  Don't keep Personal Identification Numbers (PINs) near your checkbook, ATM card, or debit card.  Shred any papers with confidential information before you throw them out-even junk mail.  Don't put your trash out until shortly before it will be picked up. Don't give out any confidential information- such as credit card number, social security number, PIN, birth date, or even your mother's maiden name. Check your banking and credit statements soon after you receive them and make sure there is no unexplained activity.  When you sign a credit card slip, avoid putting your address, telephone number, or driver's license number on it.  Also, be sure to take your receipts with you to shred at home.

Community State Bank will NEVER send you an e-mail or call you to request social security numbers, account and routing numbers, credit card numbers, personal identification numbers, passwords, and other private information.  If someone calls claiming to be Community State Bank, do NOT give them any information.  Call us at 989-865-9945 as soon as possible.

Your Credit Report
   Make sure you carefully check your credit report regularly.  Your credit reports are important tools for limiting the amount of damage a thief can cause.

What to to if you become a victim of Identity Theft
  Keep copies of correspondence and documents related to the theft.  Write letters to confirm all phone conversations.  Include the date, the name of the person you spoke with, and what actions were taken.
Contact the Police immediately call the police to file a report with your local law enforcement.  Opening a police case will accomplish two things:  The police can start investigation the crime, and you will need information from the police report to help you straighten out your credit and accounts after the crime.
Contact the Credit Bureaus.  Contact any credit card companies and banks where your accounts may be at risk.  Contact the fraud departments at each of the three credit bureaus.

                        Equifax:             (800) 525-6285 www.equifax.com
                        Experian:           (888) EXPERIAN (397-3742) www.experian.com
                        TransUnion:        (800) 680-7289 www.transunion.com

 Web sites for government agencies:
The Michigan State Police (MSP) Region I Special Investigation Division:  1-877-MI-ID-THEFT (1-877-644-3843) www.michigan.gov/identity-theft
U.S. Postal Inspection Service:  www.usps.com/postalinspectors
The Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3) www.ic3.gov
Federal Trade Commission:  www.consumer.gov/idtheft
U.S. Secret Service: www.secretservice.gov
Department of Justice: www.usdoj.gov/criminal/fraud/text/idtheft.html
Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation:  www.fdic.gov/consumers