'Tis the Season to Prevent Identity Fraud

Tis the Season to Prevent Identity Fraud

Nothing can spoil the holiday season like discovering that someone has stolen your credit card information, social security number or other personal information. In addition to causing you potential financial losses, dealing with identity theft can take time away from your celebrations with loved ones as you deal with resolution and credit restoration.

Letting your guard down amid the bustle of the holiday season, whether in pursuit of that perfect gift for a special someone or chatting excitedly about plans to visit a new ski resort, can be a recipe for disaster, according to the Consumer Federation of America. Identity thieves resort to everything from picking pockets to deciphering location codes in digital photos to see where the house is with that brand-new home theater system or the diamond bracelet adorning the wrist of the lady of the house. Don’t let everyone in on your plans for the holidays, especially the trip you’re planning to Aunt Martha’s or the cool new electronics you know will be under the tree. Don’t publish photos on social networking sites, either, lest they contain geocodes that give thieves your address—something else never to post—so they can relieve you of your holiday plunder. Ditto for birthdays, Social Security numbers, and other personal info—all clues to lighten your wallet and ruin your credit.

BENEFITS
As we all get busy during this holiday season, Platte Valley Bank wants to remind you about IDProtect®, our comprehensive identity theft protection service offered at no additional cost with your checking account. IDProtect includes credit file monitoring that constantly scans your credit files at Experian, Equifax and TransUnion and alerts you if key changes occur. This service is provided to you at no additional cost, but you must register and activate it in order to take advantage of its protection.

Registration and activation of IDProtect benefits, including credit file monitoring, is easy:
1) Go to www.IDProtectMe247.com, using the Access Code provided by Platte Valley Bank, and follow the simple
step-by-step instructions to register and activate benefits, or
2) Call 1-877-610-7889 for assistance with activation or to learn more about all that IDProtect offers.
If you or an eligible family member discover you have been a victim of identity fraud and need assistance please call 1-877-610-7889 to learn more about IDProtect’s comprehensive fraud resolution services that can assist
you in resolving your fraud issue.