Identity theft is more than a small inconvenience, it can be a big mess. An identity thief can use your personal information, such as your full name and social security number, to do things like apply for credit cards or get medical services which in turn damages your credit score, costing you time and money to fix.

Use these tips and safety precautions to keep your information safe to ensure you don’t become a victim of identity theft:

Freeze Your Credit Reports. Contact all three credit reporting agencies (Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion) and request that they freeze your credit reports. This means that new creditors cannot view your credit report and score, which will deter identity thieves from forming new accounts in your name. Once you freeze your reports, you’ll receive a PIN number from each credit bureau to use to temporarily lift the freeze. Annually, review your credit report to make sure it doesn’t include account that you did not open from that year.

Secure Your Social Security Number. Don’t give your social security out unless it is absolutely necessary. Keep your social security card in a secure location, not in your wallet. Be careful when receiving unsolicited requests for your personal information, as they might be scams.

Secure Your Accounts Online. Do you know what your sharing and firewall settings are on your laptop? Be cautious if you use public wi-fi and consider using a virtual private network. The same applies when using mobile devices on public wi-fi; enable your smartphone’s security features, especially if you use banking websites or other sites that contain your personal information. On your home computer, install firewalls and virus-detection software.

Watch Your Mail. Don’t let a thief steal your mail, giving them a chance to also steal your identity. You can sign up for Informed Delivery through the USPS, which gives you a preview of your mail, allowing you to see if anything is missing. When throwing away mail, receipts, and account statements, always shred them to avoid people digging through trash for personal information.

To help assist in protecting you, Financial Center’s Champion Checking Account comes with IDProtect® Service. IDProtect® includes:

• Credit File Monitoring
• 3-in-1 Credit Report
• Total Identity Monitoring - monitoring of over 1,000
• Online Identity Theft News Center
• IDProtect® StealthType™ Anti-Keylogging Tool
• Up to $10,000 Identity Theft Expense Reimbursement Coverage¹
• Fully Managed Identity Theft Resolution Services
• Debit and Credit Card Registration

¹Special Insurance Program Notes: The description herein is a summary only. It does not include all terms, conditions and exclusions of the policy described. Please refer to the actual policy for complete details of coverage and exclusions. Insurance is offered through the company named on the certificate of insurance. Refer to Guide to Benefit for complete details of coverage. Insurance Products are not a deposit of or guaranteed by the Credit Union or any Credit Union Affiliate and are not insured by the NCUA or Any Federal Government Agency.