As the multitude of online services has expanded, so has the rate of fraudsters engaging in identity theft. Here are ten quick tips to help you avoid identity theft.

• Require a PIN or strong password to unlock devices and accounts, plus 2-step verification. Also, do not use the same password for multiple accounts.

• Regularly sign in to online accounts to monitor transaction accuracy.

• Switch to paperless statements so there is less sensitive information in your mail. Click here to get started!

• Shred old documents, such as bank or credit union statements, tax forms and medical bills.

• Do not open emails, click on links or answer calls from suspicious addresses or numbers.

• Do not carry your Social Security card or documents including your SSN on them.

• Do not tell anyone your SSN by phone unless you are 100% sure who they are and why they are asking for it.

• Do not use public Wi-Fi when making any financial transactions, such as online banking or shopping, or to check your email or browse social media.

• Do not leave personal information in your car, even if it is locked.

• Take advantage of your Benefits Plus® checking account: Once you upgrade your basic checking account to a Benefits Plus^® checking with SeaComm, you will gain access to identity theft services, free annual credit reports, IDT Restoration Rescue^® and more! You may even upgrade to Benefits Plus^® Premium, which provides you with all of the advantages of a Benefits Plus^® checking account, plus additional protection from Ultimate ID^®, which includes: 3 bureau credit monitoring, Internet monitoring, Instant inquiry alerts, Remediation and lost documentation replacement services.

Visit your local SeaComm branch to enroll, today!

For complete information, terms, conditions and exclusions please visit www.benefits-plus.org or call 866-329-7587.

If you are a victim of Identity Theft:

• Contact at least 1 of the 3 main credit bureaus: TransUnion, Experian, or Equifax.
• Report it to the FTC at www.identitytheft.gov or call 877 438 4338.
  • Online theft can be reported to the FBI at www.ic3.gov.
  • Tax ID theft can be reported to the IRS at www.irs.gov.
  • For credit card fraud, call the card issuer to dispute charges and block it from further use.