When your wallet is lost or stolen, you're protected from unauthorized use of your credit and debit cards and subsequent financial liability if you promptly notify your card issuers. But it's not so easy to guard against identity theft. Each year a growing number of people are victimized by a criminal element interested in stealing their identities. Armed with personal data, such as your Social Security Number, date of birth and mother's maiden name, these thieves can, within a matter of hours, take over your existing accounts, open new ones, and obtain credit cards, a passport, a driver’s license, Social Security benefits and loans. And they can even change your mailing address!

For more information on Identity Theft and to download forms for reporting identity fraud, go to:

• http://www.ftc.gov/bcp/edu/microsites/idtheft/
• Call their hotline toll-free 1-877-IDTHEFT (438-4338)
• Write Identity Theft Clearinghouse, Federal Trade Commission, 600 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20580.

Important Security Information for D.C. Teachers FCU Online Account Access Users

Internet Security is frequently in the news. If your personal computer (PC) doesn't have adequate security, others may gain unauthorized access to the information stored on your PC and/or your PC's browser; and, with this information, they may also gain unauthorized access to your accounts and personal information. You should take precautions to protect your PC from unauthorized access and use.

Here are a few tips to help you safeguard your personal and account information when using online services:

• Install anti-virus software, a firewall and spyware-detection software on your PC; and update this software on a regular basis, as recommended by the software providers. Remember, new viruses continue to be created. Always check to make sure the security software is running before accessing the Internet.
• Keep your PC and browser updated with current patches that are released by your system vendor. Be sure to download patches only from official vendors' Web sites, and not from third-party Web sites.
• Do not respond to emails, Web pages or telephone inquiries requesting you to verify your account information. D.C. Teachers Federal will never ask you to verify your account information, user name or password, via an email using a non-secure Web site. Never provide personal or account information or respond to any attempt to collect this information. Forward all suspicious emails to us at info@dctfcu.org and your Internet Service Provider. Never share your password with anyone - even someone you know.
• At D.C. Teachers Federal, you can select your own online password and change it as often as you'd like. We suggest that you choose an alphanumeric password that contains a mix of numbers and letters. Do not use numbers or words that can be easily guessed (such as your phone or street number, or your child's name).

D.C. Teachers Federal Credit Union is committed to ensuring that your account information via the Internet is safe. We take all possible steps to establish a secure, encrypted connection after you enter your Account Access sign-on information and click on the sign-on button, on D.C. Teachers Federals home page. We ask that you help protect your PC and account information too.