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Upgrade your devices

Whenever possible keep your devices secure with the latest security features by upgrading the operating system of your computer, tablet and phone to the latest versions. This will offer you the best protection against current viruses and scams. It’s a good idea to turn on automatic updates, so that you never forget to stay protected.

Monitor your credit

One of the best preventative measures you can take against identity theft is monitoring your credit. You can check your credit score for free on sites like CreditKarma.com and order an annual report once a year from each of the three credit reporting agencies at AnnualCreditreport.com. Check your score for any sudden hits and look through your reports for suspicious activity. It’s also a good idea to review your monthly credit card bills for any charges you don’t remember making.

Be sure to also monitor your transactions with TFCU’s Online & Mobile Banking, to ensure every activity or charge is at no surprise.

Keep an eye out for phishing attempts

Think before you click! When presented with a potential scam do not act urgently. If you want to confirm the validity of an email or message, contact the business or person directly.

Identity theft can occur via robocalls, where scammers impersonate a government official or the representative of a well-known company in an attempt to steal your information. You can limit the number of robocalls reaching you by adding your phone number to the Federal Trade Commission’s No Call List at donotcall.gov. It’s also a good practice to ignore all calls from unfamiliar numbers, because each engagement encourages the scammers to try again.

Shred old documents

While most modern-day identity theft is implemented over the internet or through phone calls, lots of criminals still use old-fashioned means to get the information they need. Dumpster-divers will paw through trashed papers until they hit upon a missive that contains personal information. It’s best to shred all documents containing sensitive information as soon as you don’t need them.

For more information, and additional tips, please visit https://tauntonfcu.com/security-tips