. Main Menu LOGIN IDENTITY THEFT FIGHTING BACK AGAINST IDENTITY THEFT COMMON WAYS ID THEFT HAPPENS Skilled identity thieves use a variety of methods to steal your personal information, including: Dumpster Diving. They rummage through trash looking for bills or other paper with your personal information on it. Skimming. They steal credit/debit card numbers by using a special storage device when processing your card. Phishing. They pretend to be financial institutions or companies and send spam or pop-up messages to get you to reveal your personal information. Changing Your Address. They divert your billing statements to another location by completing a "change of address" form. "Old-Fashioned" Stealing. They steal wallets and purses; mail, including bank and credit card statements; pre-approved credit offers; and new checks or tax information. They steal personnel records from their employers, or bribe employees who have access. DETER DETECT INSPECT DEFEND Identity theft is a serious crime. It occurs when your personal information is stolen and used without your knowledge to commit fraud or other crimes. Identity theft can cost you time and money. It can destroy your credit and ruin your good name. Deter identity thieves by safeguarding your information. Shred financial documents and paperwork with personal information before you discard them. Protect your Social Security number. Don't carry your Social Security card in your wallet or write your Social Security number on a check. Give it out only if absolutely necessary or ask to use another identifier. Don't give out personal information on the phone, through the mail, or over the Internet unless you know who you are dealing with. Never click on links sent in unsolicited emails; instead, type in a web address you know. Use firewalls, anti-spyware, and anti-virus software to protect your home computer; keep them up-to-date. Visit OnGuardOnline.gov for more information. Don't use an obvious password like your birth date, your mother's maiden name, or the last four digits of your Social Security number. Keep your personal information in a secure place at home, especially if you have roommates, employ outside help, or are having work done in your house. To learn more about ID theft and how to deter, detect, and defend against it, visit ftc.gov/idtheft. Or request copies of ID theft resources by writing to: Consumer Response Center Federal Trade Commission 600 Pennsylvania Ave., NW, H-130 Washington, DC 20580 The FTC works for the consumer to prevent fraudulent, deceptive and unfair business practices in the marketplace and to provide information to help consumers spot, stop, and avoid them. To file a complaint or to get free information on consumer issues, visit www.ftc.gov or call toll-free, 1-877-FTC-HELP (1-877-382-4357); TTY: 1-866-653-4261. The FTC enters Internet, telemarketing, identity theft, and other fraud-related complaints into Consumer Sentinel, a secure online database available to hundreds of civil and criminal law enforcement agencies in the U.S. and abroad. If you feel that you may be a victim of identity theft, please contact us as soon as possible at 979-865-4200 so that we may take the proper precautions to help you. Stay Connected Sign up for our newsletter: Full Name * Email * CAPTCHA This question is for testing whether or not you are a human visitor and to prevent automated spam submissions. Facebook Instagram LinkedIn /* ><!--*/ .cls-1{fill:#B0B4B8;fill-rule:evenodd;} /*--><!*/ FDIC Member /* ><!--*/ .cls-1{fill:#B0B4B8;fill-rule:evenodd;} /*--><!*/ Home Contact Us Disclosures Identity Theft Locations Privacy Policy Security © 2021 Austin County State Bank