Identity Theft Help & Trusted Resources
Think someone may have used your personal or financial information?
Take action as soon as possible. Use the steps below to protect your accounts, report identity theft, and begin recovering from it.
Is Your FVSBank Account or Card Involved?
Contact us immediately if you notice an unauthorized transaction, shared information with a scammer, or believe someone has accessed your FVSBank account.
Call FVSBank:Â 800-242-7880
Lost or stolen debit card:Â 833-735-1894
Never provide your online banking password, debit card, PIN, or one-time security code to someone who contacts you unexpectedly.
What to Do After Identity Theft
1. Secure the Affected Accounts
Contact the bank, credit card company, retailer, or other organization where the fraud occurred.
Ask the organization to:
- Stop or dispute unauthorized transactions
- Close or restrict affected accounts
- Replace compromised cards
- Update account numbers, passwords, or PINs
Change reused passwords on other accounts and turn on multifactor authentication (MFA) when available.
2. Report the Identity Theft
IdentityTheft.gov is the federal government’s primary identity-theft recovery resource.
Answer questions about what happened to receive a personalized recovery plan, recommended forms, and step-by-step instructions.
3. Protect Your Credit
A credit freeze can prevent someone from opening a new credit account in your name. To fully freeze your credit, contact Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion separately.
You may also place a fraud alert. A fraud alert asks businesses to verify your identity before opening new credit in your name.
Learn About Credit Freezes and Fraud Alerts
4. Review Your Credit Reports
Check your credit reports for unfamiliar accounts, addresses, inquiries, or balances.
Free weekly credit reports are available from Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion through AnnualCreditReport.com
5. Save Important Information
Keep a record of:
- Unauthorized transactions
- Emails, texts, and screenshots
- Dates and times of phone calls
- Names and confirmation numbers
- Letters and reports you submitted
- Receipts showing money that was sent
Do not delete suspicious messages until you have saved the information you may need.
Find the Right Identity Theft Resource
IdentityTheft.gov
Best for: Reporting identity theft and creating a recovery plan
Receive personalized steps based on how your information was stolen or used.
Start a Recovery PlanAnnualCreditReport.com
Best for: Reviewing your Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion credit reports.
Look for accounts, credit inquiries, and personal information you do not recognize.
Check Your Credit ReportsCredit Freezes and Fraud Alerts
Best for: Preventing someone from opening new credit in your name.
Learn the difference between a credit freeze and a fraud alert and how to place each one
Protect Your CreditFTC Consumer Advice
Best for: Learning about identity theft, online security, data breaches, and current scams.
Find practical information from the Federal Trade Commission about protecting your personal information.
Visit FTC Consumer AdviceReportFraud.ftc.gov
Best for: Reporting scams, dishonest businesses, or fraudulent payment requests.
Use this resource when you have experienced a scam but may not have confirmed identity theft.
Report Fraud to the FTCFBI Internet Crime Complaint Center
Best for: Reporting internet-enabled fraud or cybercrime.
Report phishing, account takeovers, online payment fraud, investment scams, and other cyber-enabled crimes to the FBI's IC3.
File an IC3 ComplaintIRS Identity Theft Central
Best for: Tax-related identity theft.
Learn what to do if someone used your information to file a tax return. You can also learn about requesting an IRS Identity Protection PIN.
Visit IRS Identity Theft CentralSocial Security Administration
Best for: Concerns involving your Social Security number.
Learn what to do if your Social Security number was lost or stolen or you believe someone is misusing your number.
Get Social Security Help
Credit Freeze or Fraud Alert
Credit Freeze
A credit freeze restricts access to your credit report and can prevent new credit accounts from being opened.
- Free to place and remove
- Must be placed with all three credit bureaus
- Remains until you remove or temporarily lift it
- Does not affect your credit score
Fraud Alert
A fraud alert tells potential creditors to take additional steps to confirm your identity.
- Free to place
- Contacting one credit bureau generally alerts the other two
- Does not completely block access to your credit report
- May be used along with a credit freeze
Were You Contacted by a Scammer?
Do not use the phone number or link provided in an unexpected call, text, or email.
Instead:
- Stop communicating with the sender
- Do not send additional money
- Contact the organization through its official website, mobile app, or a verified phone number
- Contact FVSBank immediately if an account, card, or payment was involved
- Save the message and report the incident
Learn How to Avoid Scams
More Ways to Protect Yourself
Identity Theft Prevention Tips
Take everyday steps to protect your personal and financial information.
Learn more
Important Reminder
FVSBank will not ask you to provide your online banking password, debit card PIN, or one-time security code through an unsolicited call, email, or text.
When something does not feel right, stop and contact us directly at 800-242-7880