1. Research sites if you are considering a purchase. Check out user reviews and see if others have had issues.
2. Never click on links in emails and texts. Go straight to the company websites. Always check your address bar to make sure you are at the correct website.
3. Do not give out more information when making purchases than necessary. No company should need your Social Security number for you to make a purchase. Only fill the fields that are required when you complete your purchase. To purchase an item, you should only need to give out your name, address, phone number, and payment information. Guard your personal information.

Online Shopping Safety

• Always look for https: in the address bar on sites where you are shopping. The s on the end means that the connection is secure. There will also usually be a lock icon to indicate this as well.
• Keep your computer safe with anti-virus software.

Adapted from Chicagotribune.com

• If a price looks too good to be true, it probably is. Always compare prices and be skeptical of any seller offering an item at a drastically reduced price. Make sure to verify the condition of the item and research the seller.

Adapted from google.com/safetycenter

• Beware of the fine print. If something says it is free or heavily discounted, you may be signing up for a trial that is only free for 30 days, or you may be charged for more items and have them shipped automatically after a certain time period. Beware of any “free” item that requires your credit card information.
• Register your card for the CardValet app so that you will get alerts for debit card based on spending limits, location or merchant type. To get instructions for downloading and using the CardValet app, call or come by the Credit Union.

It occurs when your personal information is stolen and used to commit fraudulent activity. Identity theft can destroy your credit, your name, and create a financial burden that may take years to recover.

At Jackson River Community Credit Union, we are committed to keeping your information secure. We offer several services that can assist you in keeping your identity safe:

• Direct Deposit - eliminates "live" checks, no need to mail deposits, secure, faster availability of funds.
• Electronic statement delivery - eliminates the potential for mail theft, fast and convenient.
• Bill payment - eliminates the potential for mail theft, saves on postage, and you may pay any merchant
• Home Banking – keep a daily check on your account. This will enable you to spot any type of fraud quickly and put a stop to it!

Tips to Safeguard Your Personal Information

• Shred financial documents, credit card applications received in the mail, and any type of document that has personal information on the form.
• Do not give out your Social Security number unless absolutely necessary.
• Beware of phone calls from businesses requesting banking information or other types of financial or personal information. Do not give out this information unless you can positively identify the company/organization.
• Never open emails from an unknown source
• Do not use obvious passwords such as phone numbers, birthdays, last 4-digits of a Social Security number, house numbers…. Choose complicated passwords utilizing upper- and lower-case letters, numbers, and special characters. 
• Keep your personal information, including debit and credit cards in a safe place – especially in roommate situations or if you are employing outside help
• Know when to expect your bills – if they do not arrive, contact the company immediately. Also, keep receipts until you pay credit card statements to ensure authorization of all charges listed on the bill.
• Check your online accounts regularly for suspicious activity – report immediately if found.
• Verify the authenticity of a website before entering financial or personal information by using the site's certificate of authority.
• Update anti-virus software on your computer

For more information on identity theft, how to prevent it and what to do if you are a victim, visit www.ftc.gov/idtheft