Fraud Prevention
Your Most Trusted Partner in Financial Security
As your lifelong trusted financial partner, TMH Federal Credit Union utilizes state-of-the-art security technology to detect suspicious activity and safeguard members' accounts and personal information. Additionally, we provide members with a comprehensive set of tools to monitor their accounts and promptly report any potential concerns.
How do I report suspected fraud?
Promptly reporting fraudulent account activity or identity theft is crucial. If you need to report fraud on your account, you can do so by logging into Virtual Branch and sending us a secure message, emailing us at TMHFCU@TMHFCU.org, or calling/texting us at 850-402-5301.
If your debit card is lost or stolen, please report it immediately by calling our dedicated line at (800)262-2024.
To report a lost or stolen credit card or to report fraudulent activity, please contact our dedicated hotline immediately at (844)334-3872.
Please report any suspicious emails, texts, or social media messages to the credit union by emailing tmhfcu@tmhfcu.org or by calling/texting 850-402-5301.
Set up instant account alerts within Virtual Branch under the Services tab to receive notifications via email or SMS/text message. These alerts can notify you of account activity, balances, and upcoming loan payment due dates. Account alerts can be customized for each account. To set up your account alerts, navigate to the Self-Service section of Virtual Branch.
Place a Fraud Alert on Your Credit Reports
A fraud alert places a red flag on your credit report, signaling lenders and creditors to take extra steps in verifying your identity before extending credit. To initiate a 90-day fraud alert across all three major credit reporting agencies—Experian, Equifax, and TransUnion—you only need to contact one of them. The agency you contact will automatically notify the other two on your behalf.
When you place a fraud alert, you’re entitled to a free copy of your credit report from each of the three agencies, so be sure to obtain them. If you discover fraudulent items on your credit reports, you can start the dispute process by clicking the dispute button while viewing your report online. Some items may require written disputes with supporting documentation. While hard inquiries cannot be disputed, they can provide clues as to where a thief has applied for credit in your name.
Initial fraud alerts are free and remain in place for 90 days. In some cases, extended fraud alerts may incur a small fee, but typically these services are free for identity theft victims.
A more robust identity theft prevention measure is to place a security freeze on your credit reports. A security freeze blocks creditors (except those with whom you already have an account) from accessing your credit report, effectively preventing most new credit applications from being approved. With a freeze in place, you’ll need to take additional steps to apply for new credit, including temporarily "thawing" your credit report to allow a legitimate application to proceed. Unlike a fraud alert, you must contact each credit reporting agency individually to place a freeze. For more information on credit freezes, consult reputable sources such as the credit reporting agencies’ websites.
Remember you can get a FREE credit report from each of the three credit bureaus once per year.
Experian Equifax TransUnion
Directly Contact Affected Institutions
If you know your credit card has been stolen, immediately report the theft to your credit card issuer. If your checkbook or debit card is stolen, contact your financial institution right away.
It's beneficial to have a list of institutions and their contact numbers prepared in advance. Avoid writing down account numbers, PINs, or passwords, as this could provide additional opportunities for a thief to access your personal information. Instead, maintain a list of the items in secure location. The safest place to store this list is on a secure, encrypted online file storage site.
Reach Out to the Federal Trade Commission
To address identity theft, it is essential to file an Identity Theft Affidavit and a police report. Additionally, you should create a comprehensive Identity Theft Report. You can submit your report through several convenient methods: online, by telephone at 1-877-ID THEFT (877-438-4338) or TDD (toll-free) at 1-866-653-4261, or by mailing your documents to 600 Pennsylvania Avenue, Washington, DC 20580.
Once you have submitted your report, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) will provide you with guidance on the appropriate steps to take based on the nature of the fraud that has occurred or is suspected.
Submit a Police Report
To finalize the Identity Theft Report, you must first contact your local law enforcement agency to file a report regarding the theft. Ensure that you obtain a copy of the police report or, at a minimum, the report number. This police report, combined with the FTC Identity Theft Affidavit, constitutes your complete Identity Theft Report. Having this comprehensive report will be instrumental when dealing with credit reporting agencies or any other organizations that may have been contacted by the identity thief to open accounts in your name. This report serves as crucial evidence in resolving and mitigating the effects of identity theft.
Safeguard Your Social Security Number
If you have reason to believe that your Social Security number may have been compromised, it is essential to promptly contact both the Social Security Administration (SSA) and the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) to report the situation. You can reach the SSA at 800-269-0271 and the IRS at 800-829-0433.
It is important to reach out to these agencies even if you have not yet detected any clear signs of financial fraud. A compromised Social Security number can be exploited in various ways, including unauthorized attempts to access your tax refund, secure employment in your name, or obtain health care services. By notifying the SSA and IRS, you initiate important steps to safeguard your identity and prevent further misuse. These agencies can provide guidance on protective measures and help monitor for any suspicious activity linked to your Social Security number. Addressing the issue proactively can significantly reduce the risk of more severe consequences.
Reach Out to the Postal Office
If you have reason to believe the identity thief may have submitted a fraudulent change-of-address to the post office or has used the U.S. mail to commit the fraud against you, contact the Postal Inspection Service, which is the law enforcement and security branch of the post office. Fill out the online form.
This list is not exhaustive. These are only the first few steps. Indeed, clearing the wreckage of identity theft can be a laborious and complex process. For more information about how to prevent or recover from identity theft, the U.S. Department of Justice and the Federal Trade Commission offer a wealth of information and will walk you through the steps.
TMH Federal Credit Union highly recommends member NOT send personal checks from their resident mailboxes. Any documents with financial information including personal check should be placed inside a post office location. Should you need to send a large amount of money, please consider getting a Cashiers Check at a branch location. Also, Bill Pay is a secure, free service for all members with a Checking Account, enroll within Virtual Branch.