HOMETOWN SECURITY BENEFITS

Safeguard your identity. Enrolling in LifeLock® helps you protect your personal information from identity thieves. LifeLock®backs up its service with a one million dollar service guarantee. Lifelock's®service helps protect you by removing member names from pre-approved credit card offers and junk mail lists. LifeLock® services also include eRecon™, which alerts members when their information is being sold or traded in illegal online identity marketplaces, and TrueAddress™ which alerts you if someone files a change of address in your name. LifeLock®also includes an additional service called WalletLock™. It works to cancel and replace all documents and personal identifying information inside a wallet if it is lost or stolen. One free membership per household. Additional members can be added for $8 each (20% off the regular LifeLock® rate). $2.50 for children under 18 years old.

Defend yourself and your family from the problems created by identity theft. If you become a victim of identity theft, call the toll-free number and you will be assigned to a highly qualified personal advocate who is the single source of contact in helping you resolve your problem from start to finish. You save time and avoid frustration and the problem gets corrected with the help of an expert. You will also have access to a website for receiving valuable information about identity theft issues. Identity Theft 911® covers all family members at the account holders primary address.

IDENTITY THEFT INFORMATION

What is identity theft?

Every 3.2 seconds, someone loses his or her identity.  Identity theft occurs when someone uses your personally identifying information, like your name, Social Security number, or credit card number, without your permission, to commit fraud or other crimes.

The FTC estimates that as many as 11 million Americans have their identities stolen each year.  In fact, you or someone you know may have experienced some form of identity theft.

How do thieves steal an identity?

Skilled identity thieves may use a variety of methods to get hold of your information, including:

• Dumpster Diving. Identity thieves rummage through trash looking for bills or other paper with your personal information on it.
• Skimming. Thieves steal credit/debit card numbers by using a special storage device when processing your card that captures the magnetic strip information on your card.
• Phishing. Cyber-criminals 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. Thieves 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, or bribe employees who have access.
• Spyware.  Occurs when malicious software invades a computer and collects personal information for criminal use.  The computer owner is often unaware it’s occurring.

This list contains some of the more common fraud techniques but is certainly not all inclusive.
Protect yourself from all fraud by being proactive. Monitor your accounts closely, check your credit score and sign up for Hometown Security.