Identity Theft

Bank of The Valley offers tips to avoid becoming a victim of Identity Theft.

How to Protect Yourself

    Don't give your Social Security number or other personal credit information about yourself to anyone who calls you.

        Criminals use this information to open new charge accounts posing as you.

    Tear up receipts, bank statements and unused credit card offers before throwing them away.  Criminals can collect

         bits of information about your by going through your trash.

    Watch for missing mail and don't mail bills from your own mailbox with the flag up.  An identity thief may steal your mail

         and file a change of address form with your credit card company or the U.S. Postal Service.

    Review your monthly accounts regularly for any unauthorized charges.

    Order copies of your credit report once a year to ensure accuracy.

     When conducting business online, make sure your browser's padlock or key icon is active.

     Don't open e-mail from unknown sources and use virus detection software.

    Protect your PINs and passwords and change them frequently.

    Report any suspected fraud to your bank, credit card companies and the fraud units of the three credit reporting

        agencies immediately.  The fraud unit numbers are:  Trans Union (800)680-7289, Experian (888)397-3742, and

        Equifax (800)525-6285. You may also contact the FTC's ID Theft Consumer Response Center toll-free at

        (877)IDTHEFT.

Here is the contact information for each bureau's fraud division:

Equifax

800-525-6285

P.O. Box 740250

Atlanta, GA 30374

Experian

888-397-3742

P.O. Box 1017

Allen, TX 75013

TransUnion

800-680-7289

P.O. Box 6790

Fullerton, CA 92634

If Your Credit or Debit or ATM Card Information is Stolen

    Report the theft of this information to the card issuer as quickly as possible.

    Cancel your account and open a new one.

    Review your billing statements carefully after the loss.

    Your maximum liability under federal law for unauthorized use of your credit card is $50.00.  If the loss involves your credit    card number and not the credit card itself you have no liability or unauthorized use.

    Your liability under federal law for unauthorized use of your ATM or debit card depends on how quickly you report the loss. 

You risk unlimited loss if you fail to report an unauthorized transfer within 60 days after your statement containing  unauthorized use is mailed to you.

Bank of The Valley-Bellwood                            Bank of The Valley-David City                Bank of The Valley-Platte Center

402-538-3025                                                                402-367-4334                                                     402-246-2015

Last modified: 05/29/08