Protecting your identity

Basics

admin — Wed, 27 Feb 2019 06:41:28 +0000

Basics admin Wed, 02/27/2019 - 01:41

Identity Theft Protection program

SIL6504 — Wed, 27 Jun 2018 16:41:45 +0000

Identity Theft Protection program SIL6504 Wed, 06/27/2018 - 12:41

You are a target for identity theft. And once your identity has been stolen, it's hard to get it back in order. From prevention to restoration, our Identity Theft Protection Program has you covered.

Provided free of charge to all State Auto home, condo, renter and farm customers:

Identity Fraud Expense
Pays for expenses you incur as a result of identity theft - up to $15,000
Identity Theft Recovery Services
Guides you through the process of restoring your identity or means of personal identification if your identity is lost due to identity theft or a natural disaster.
Identity Theft Education and Prevention Assistance
Provides access to trained fraud specialists who will answer your questions about identity theft and prevention. They also can assist you with making changes in personal information.

Put your mind at ease by contacting us about identity theft protection today at 833-SAHelps (833.724.3577).

Credit card safety measures

SIL6504 — Fri, 15 Jun 2018 18:52:10 +0000

Credit card safety measures SIL6504 Fri, 06/15/2018 - 14:52

When protecting your credit there are many things to consider. You could become a victim of theft in many places including the grocery store, mall, or a parking lot. New chips have come out claiming to better protect your identity. These chips may create safer transactions that reveal less personal information in case criminal activity occurs, according to the FBI, but the risk of in-person theft is not reduced.

How can I protect my credit cards?

The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) offers tips to protect both your physical credit and debit cards and the account information they hold.

Here are a few suggestions from the FTC list. See the full list of tips.

Monitor your accounts frequently: If you only view your monthly statement then it could be too late. Get your bank's app to quickly view your accounts recent transactions.
Sign-up for text alerts: Then, you will know almost immediately if suspicious activity is occurring.
Leave your credit cards at home: When leaving, carry only the card you plan to use.

Have you ever wondered whether you should sign the back of your credit card? According to credit.org, merchants technically are not supposed to accept a card that is not signed. Some organizations have advised that writing "See ID" instead of a signature can help prevent fraud. Other experts advise that this practice doesn't help reduce your risk. You might consider both signing and writing "See ID" to encourage merchants to make sure it's you when you're using your card.

What if my credit card is stolen?

If your card is stolen, report it immediately. According to the FTC, federal law says you are not responsible for charges on your card after you've reported it lost or stolen. Get details and next steps from the FTC website.