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DCU ID Theft Hotline

A NEW FREE identity theft resolution service for DCU members

What is identity theft?  /  What is ID Theft Hotline?  /  Preventing ID theft
Early detection  /  Are you a victim?  /  What to Do  /  Educational Resources

For several years, DCU has provided our members with FREE, comprehensive information on how to prevent and resolve identity theft through our StreetWise Consumer Education Program. Because identity theft is a growing national problem, we have introduced ID Theft Hotline. Now every DCU member who becomes a victim can receive FREE identity theft resolution services.
With ID Theft Hotline, you now have an identity theft counselor in your corner until your situation is resolved. Some companies are charging up to $1,000 or more for such services according to an April 2005 Wall Street Journal Online article. DCU believes victims deserve help and protection, not profiteering.
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  What is identity theft?

Identity theft is a growing national problem costing consumers and businesses billions of dollars and millions of hours in victim resolution. It occurs when someone uses your personal information to commit fraud or other crimes. It may also involve computer fraud, mail fraud, wire fraud, and financial institution fraud.
Criminals typically obtain credit in your name to get goods or services. They may write bad checks on your account. They may charge on existing credit card accounts or open new ones. They get the goods and you get the damage to your credit and the hassles to clean up the mess.
Law enforcement agencies, if they actually have the manpower or budgets to keep up, must focus on catching the criminal and not helping the victim.
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   What is ID Theft Hotline?

ID Theft Hotline is a FREE comprehensive identity theft resolution service for all members who believe they have been the victim of identity theft – even if it does not involve their DCU accounts.
We have partnered with BALANCE to bring you these benefits. BALANCE is a leading provider of consumer credit counseling and education services and winner of DCU's prestigious Business Partnership Excellence Award.
Hopefully, you will never need to use ID Theft Hotline, but if you do, you have access to:
  • An identity theft advisor who works with you until your situation is resolved
  • Free credit monitoring and fraud monitoring
  • Free credit reports
  • Help with case file creation for law enforcement and insurance claims
  • Help preparing all needed documents
  • Help with notifying financial institutions and other businesses
  • Consumer education
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  Preventing Identity Theft

Here are key ways you can help prevent your identity from being stolen:
  • Don't send personal information or checks from your own mailbox. Drop them in a U.S. Postal Service mailbox instead.
  • Use electronic statements wherever possible. You'll be notified you have a statement by email, but you typically view and print them through an encrypted internet connection.
  • Avoid giving out personal information – especially your Social Security Number. Insist companies that have used your Social Security Number as your account number change it to another number – including your driver's license.
  • Don't carry your Social Security Number in your wallet.
  • Carry as few credit cards in your wallet as possible.
  • Don't give out any personal financial information over the phone unless you initiated the call.
  • Protect employee identification badges. Don't hang them from a pocketbook strap or back pocket.
Read the educational articles listed below for additional steps you should take.
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  Early detection of identity theft

DCU has extensive state-of-the-art technologies and procedures to safeguard your personal and account information. In addition we use state-of-the-art methods to detect and prevent fraudulent use of your DCU credit card. Even so, it is extremely important that you monitor all of the financial and credit relationships you have with any institution on a regular basis. It is the surest way to catch problems while they are still manageable. Here's how:
  • Check your credit report at least once a year. Consider getting one from each of the three credit bureaus at different times of the year. By fall of 2005, every state will be required to allow residents at least one free credit bureau report each year.
  • Promptly review your account statements and look for charges and transactions you did not make. Call to report account statements Report them to the financial institution or business as quickly as possible. Call to report account statements you have not received and make sure your address has not been changed without your knowledge.
Read the educational articles listed below for additional steps you should take.
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  Are You a Victim of Identity Theft?

Warning signs that you may be a victim of identity theft or another kind of fraud:
  • Loans or credit card accounts you didn't open show up on your credit report
  • You notice transactions on your monthly credit union, bank, phone, or other statements or online account history that you did not make
  • You hear from collection agencies or receive delinquency notices for loan or credit card accounts you did not open
  • Money is withdrawn from your accounts without your authorization
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  What to Do If You Think You Are a Victim

If you feel you have been a victim of any type fraud, please contact DCU immediately at 800.328.8797.
DCU will ask you some questions to determine what type of problem it is and whether it directly affects your DCU account. If we determine that you may be a victim of identity theft, we will then connect you to the counselors at the ID Theft Hotline. At that point, they will begin to work with you until your situation is resolved.
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  Educational Resources

DCU maintains a large and growing library of information on fraud prevention and privacy protection in our StreetWise web site. Identity thieves are cunning, deceitful, and often technically savvy. Everyone plays a part in successfully preventing identity theft.
Among the topics you can read about are:
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Digital Federal Credit Union
Digital Federal Credit Union
220 Donald Lynch Boulevard
PO Box 9130
Marlborough, MA 01752-9130
508.263.6700 • 800.328.8797
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