The Best Ways to Protect Yourself from Identity Theft

Sixty-four percent (64%) of Americans have had their data compromised from a data breach and one-third (1/3) of breach victims go on to experience identity theft, which takes an average of three months to discover.

Despite many consumers’ attempts to safeguard their information, data breaches are getting bigger, hackers are getting savvier, and the amount of compromised data that can devastate personal identities is on the rise.

Here are ways to help you stay protected:

• Use secure passwords to protect your information and change your passwords regularly. For more information on how to create a safe password, click here.
• Take advantage of free credit reports. You are allowed one free report each year from each of the three national credit bureaus: Equifax, Experian, and Trans Union. You can request your credit report at www.annualcreditreportcom.
• Shred documents that contain sensitive information. Invest in a cross-cut shredder that leaves no trace of the original document’s content.
• Replace your mailbox with a locking USPS-approved mailbox. Locking mailboxes prevent theft of incoming mail. You can purchase USPS-approved mailboxes at retailers such as Home Depot, Amazon, and Walmart.

AHFCU offers a full suite of complimentary ID theft services (monitoring, protection and recovery) with our Value and Dividend checking accounts to maximize the protection available to our members.  Click here to learn more about our checking accounts with identity theft protection.