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PROTECT YOUR IDENTITY! In the past five years, The Federal Trade Commission estimates that about 27.3 million Americans have been victims of identity theft. By remaining alert and aware, you can help to stop these thieves. Identity theft occurs when someone uses your personal information . Victims of identity theft find that their name, social security number, or credit card information was used without their permission to commit fraud or other crimes. Just stealing one check from your mailbox can provide the identity thief with a wealth of information about you. Identity theft is a frightening crime because victims often don’t realize what is happening, and the effects can be long-lasting. A thief can ruin your credit, and it can take years to straighten out. In the meantime, you could be refused financing for loans or mortgages. Citizens State Bank has implemented policies to protect your identity. If you call for information about your account, we will ask you for specific information to verify your identity before providing information. In the coming months, we will discontinue the return of cancelled checks to assure that a thief cannot obtain your personal information or signature to steal your identity. Citizens State Bank Consumer Loan Officer Cindy Holmes also recommends that you take precautions when speaking on a cell phone or on a cordless phone at home. Cindy states, “Whenever we take loan information from a customer by phone, we ask if they are speaking on a ‘land line’ to assure that no one can overhear their conversation and obtain personal information about them. We strongly recommend that all customers take this precaution when providing information such as their social security number or credit card information.” Other suggestions to protect your identity are: buy a shredder to assure that sensitive information cannot be found in your trash, know when important mail should arrive and contact the sender if you don’t promptly receive it, never carry important information in your purse or wallet, and never respond to e-mails or phone calls requesting personal information. If at any time you suspect that your identity has been stolen, you should:
Citizens State Bank, an independent locally owned and operated community bank, has been headquartered in New Baltimore, Michigan since its inception in 1922. Branches are located in Chesterfield, Clinton, Shelby, and Ira townships. Learn more about Citizens State Bank at www.mycommunitybank.com or call 888.598.8900. © 2005 All Rights Reserved. No part of this article may be published without advance written approval.
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