Identity Theft

Identity theft is when someone uses your personal or financial information to purchase, get benefits, file taxes, or commit fraud. Here are a few of the signs of identity theft. 

• Have you been missing monthly statements in your mailbox or via email?  
• Have you received a bill for something you did not purchase? 
• Do you have unknown items reported on your credit report?
• Do you have unexplained charges on your Ozark Federal Credit Union account?
• Do you have unknown charges on your credit card? 

There are a few steps to recover from identity theft:

• Call your local Ozark Federal Credit Union branch and law enforcement.
• Call or go online to the Fraud Department at the Federal Trade Commission and explain that someone stole her personal information. 
• Get your free credit report via phone, mail, or online. Look at all the reports from all three credit bureaus: Experian, Equifax, and TransUnion. 
• Review your reports. Make notes on any unrecognizable transactions. 
• Call Annual Credit Report - 877-322-8228 to connect to all three bureaus. Once you connect with each bureau, freeze your account so no one can add a charge to your credit report.
  
  
  • Experian - 888-397-3742
  • TransUnion - 888-909-8872
  • Equafax - 800-685-1111

How To Avoid Identity Theft

Cybercrimes

Cybercrimes, also called computer crimes, is the use of a computer as an instrument to further illegal ends, such as committing fraud such as stealing identities, or violating privacy. Below is the information on some of the most widely used cybercrimes. 

• Business Email Compromise - A phishing attack that targets organizations to steal money or critical information. 
• Malware - Malware (short for malicious software) is a file or code, typically delivered over a network, that infects, explores, steals, or conducts virtually any behavior an attacker wants. Because malware has many variations, numerous methods exist to infect a computer system.
• DDoS Attack - Distributed Denial-of-Service (DDoS) attack is a cybercrime in which the attacker floods a server with internet traffic to prevent users from accessing connected online services and sites. 
• Phishing - A technique for attempting to acquire sensitive data such as Ozark Federal Credit Union or credit card account numbers through a fraudulent solicitation in email or on a website, in which predators masquerade as a legitimate business or reputable person. 

Cybersecurity Facts Sheets

Scams

Scams are fraudulent or deceptive acts or operations that are being used daily. Please understand that this list is the most widely used scam but is not a complete list of tactics scammers use.

• Imposter Scam - Scammers contact consumers through a phone call, robocall, email, or other communication, falsely claiming to be from the IRS, Social Security Administration, immigration authorities, or government agency or entity. 
• Warranty Scam - A scammer calls or mails you a letter with a sales pitch for renewing or purchasing an extended warranty. The scammer may have some acquired information about you and your car and its existing warranty to make the offer seem more credible. 
• Grandparent Scam - An imposter scam in which the scammer calls, pretending to be a family member in distress, and pressures the person to send money immediately to cover bail, a hospital bill, etc.
• Romance Scam - Romance scams occur when a criminal adopts a fake online identity to gain a victim's affection and trust. The scanner then uses the illusion of a romantic or close relationship to manipulate and steal from a victim. Some developed the relationship for years before they initiated the steal. 
• Check Scam - There are several types of check scams:
  • Mystery Shopper - Your first assignment is to evaluate a retailer that sells gift cards, money orders, or a wire transfer service like Western Union or MoneyGram. You get a check with instructions to deposit it in a personal bank account and wire some money to someone else. But once you do, the money is gone, and the so-called "employer" can disappear, too.
  • Personal Assistant - You apply online and think you're getting hired as a personal assistant. You get a check and are told to use the money to buy gift cards and send the PINs to your "boss." But that's a scammer, and once they get the gift card PINs, they use them instantly. That leaves you without the money when the bank figures out the check was fake.
  • Car Wrap -You respond to an offer for car wrap advertising. The company tells you to deposit a check and send money to decal installers. But it's a scam; the installers aren't honest, and now your money is gone. 
  • Claiming Prize - A sweepstakes says you've won and gives you a check. They tell you to send them money to cover taxes, shipping and handling charges, or processing fees. But that's not how legitimate sweepstakes work — and you'll be out any money you send.
  • Overpayment - The scammer usually asks for a gift card, wire transfer, money order, or cryptocurrency for repayment. 

Popular Scams

Fake Check Scams

Money Wiring Scams

Best Practices

Developing simple safety practices will help prevent you from being a victim of identity theft, cybercrime, or scam. Please read a few best practices to guard your personal and financial wellness. 

• Stop answering phone calls, texts, or emails from numbers or people you do not know.
• Do not share personal information over the phone like your Ozark Federal Credit Union account number, Social Security number, or date of birth unless you know who you are sure of the phone number. 
• Collect your mail daily. If you are out of town, stop your mail until you return. Set up an online view of what will be delivered from the USPS.
• Review all monthly statements from all financial transactions. Look for unauthorized, suspicious charges appearing on your information. Download the OFCU app and set up notifications on your account when a transaction is made.
• Store personal information in a personal safe. Do not carry unnecessary data to limit exposure to fraud.
• Do not give remote access to your computer. 
• Do not use the free wifi.
• Shred important documents.
• Set up two-factor authentication. 
• Use a password locker.
• Review privacy settings on all social media pages.
• Do not shop on unsecured sites.
• Perform computer updates regularly.
• Change passwords regularly. 
• Delete cookies and history from your computer.
• Do not deposit a check from someone you do not personally know.
• Do not send money via gift card, money order, credit union wire, or cryptocurrency to someone you do not personally know. 

Avoid Identity Theft

How To Avoid A Scam