At Signature Bank, we take your privacy very seriously. We do not share your personal information. Below is some helpful information regarding identity theft and how to protect yourself. If you have any questions or think you may have become a victim of identity theft, please contact us.

What is identity theft?

Identity theft is a serious crime. Identity theft occurs when someone uses your personal information such as your name, Social Security number, credit and debit cards and bank account numbers or any other identifying information without your permission to commit fraud or other crimes. Victims of identity theft may spend months or even years trying to clear their credit history. The damage caused by identity theft is tremendous, including victims being denied loans and even being refused job opportunities.

How do identity thieves obtain personal information?

Even the most cautious individual can become a victim to identity theft. There are many different methods that an identity thief can use to get access to your personal information. Listed below are a few of these methods.

• They may steal your purse or wallet.
• They may steal your mail, including bank and credit card statements, credit card offers, new checks and tax information.
• They may complete a "change of address" form to divert your mail to another location.
• They may get your credit reports by abusing their employer's authorized access to them, or by posing as a landlord, employee, or someone else who may have a legal right to access your report.
• They may rummage through your trash, the trash of businesses, or public trash dumps in a practice known as "dumpster diving."
• They may obtain the information from businesses by stealing records or information while they're on the job.
• They may use a computer to hack the information through a business's computer database.

There are also more technologically advanced methods that thieves have developed to obtain your personal information. Some of these include:

• Skimming - when your credit or debit card numbers are captured through an information storage device attached fraudulently to an ATM machine or point of sale swipe pad.
• Phishing - when you are contacted by phone or email from someone posing as a representative from a legitimate company claiming to have a problem with your account and asking you for your help in confirming your personal information.
• Cell Phone Pictures - when someone uses their cell/video phone to film you using your debit or credit card so that they may obtain your name, card number and PIN.

How to protect yourself from identity theft

• Never give out personal information unless you have initiated the contact.
• Be careful when responding to promotions.
• Protect passwords or PIN numbers.
• Be aware of your regular mail delivery schedule.
• Shred any unwanted documents containing personal information.
• Don't keep personal information in your vehicle.
• Review all of your monthly bank and credit card statements thoroughly.
• Never mail checks/payments by placing them in your mailbox.
• Review your credit report annually.

 

What to do if you think you have become a victim

Immediately contact your local law enforcement.

• Place a fraud alert on your credit reports.
• Contact your bank immediately and review all accounts.
• File a complaint with the Federal Trade Commission.
• Contact your credit card companies and review account history; to ensure safety, close the account.

Helpful contacts in case you have become a victim:

Better Business Bureau
www.bbb.org
703-276-0100

Federal Trade Commission
www.ftc.gov
877-FTC-HELP

Equifax
www.equifax.com
800-865-1111

Experian
www.experian.com
888-397-3742

TransUnion
www.transunion.com
800-916-8800

To request a copy of your credit report:

Website: www.annualcreditreport.com
Phone: 1-877-322-8228
Mail:
Annual Credit Report Request Service
P.O. Box 105283
Atlanta, GA 30348-5281