Southern Security FCU - Direct Deposit Advantages

Identity Theft

How do I protect myself?

Here are some simple steps you can take to guard against identity theft.

Shred all documents – those offers of credit that come in the mail should not just be tossed. Someone can easily take that from your trash, mail it in and wait for a new credit card to come to your mailbox where they take it before you get home. You may not even know it’s happened until the bills arrive.

Eliminate extra credit cards from wallets/purses. It can’t be stolen if you don’t have it with you.

Do not provide personal information over the phone or internet from someone who contacted you first. Your financial institutions will not contact you and ask for your account numbers, access numbers/passwords or PINs (personal identification numbers). They already have that information!

Remove mail from your mailbox or PO Box promptly/daily.

Remove your name from mailing lists. By calling (888) 5OPT-OUT, you can get your name off the marketing lists of the three primary credit bureaus. (This will, in turn, decrease the number of pre-approved credit offers you receive.)

Keep your ATM/debit receipts. Many times your account number and/or name is on the receipt. Don’t simply toss it aside. Keep it or shred it.

Memorize all PINs and passwords. Don’t keep these in your wallet. And don’t write your PINs on your cards! That’s giving two pieces of the puzzle to a thief.

Do not keep your social security card or number in your wallet. Unfortunately, over half of all Americans do. But if your wallet is stolen, your name, SSN, address – everything can be used against you by thieves.

If your driver’s license contains your social security number, request that it be removed. If you live in Tennessee, your number will appear below your address unless you ask that it be withheld. If you live in Mississippi, Arkansas or another state where your social security number is your driver’s license number, request a different number be issued. States are required to comply with your request. Also, be sure any work or student ID does not include your SSN. The idea is to separate your social security number from your name and address whenever possible.

Match receipts to your monthly statements – whether credit or ATM/debit card. If there are more purchases than receipts, make sure they are indeed your purchases. If not, report them immediately.

If you have a change in your address, tell your financial institutions in advance.

Southern Security & You

Southern Security does not initiate email to members. At Southern Security we do not send unsolicited emails. So if you have not contacted us via email, we will NOT be contacting you! Should you receive something that appears to be from us, delete it immediately and take no action based on the content of that email.
Secured vs. unsecured email. Southern Security provides two types of email through which you can contact us. If you are simply requesting applications or have a general question, you may contact us at MyCU@SouthernSecurity.org. However, if you have a specific question about your account we have a secured email. This is the only email through which you should provide account numbers or details regarding your personal information. To access this, log on to CU Online. Once inside CU Online there is an email option (top or bottom of page). This information is completely secure from you to us. However, when we respond back, this will be unsecured. So we will intentionally NOT use your account number in our response. If you have a complex question or issue, you may prefer to contact us during normal business hours via phone or in person.
SSL. Southern Security uses the highest level of encryption to secure your account information online as well as any loan application.

If your identity has been stolen…
If you think your identity has been stolen,

Contact your financial institutions immediately so that alerts may be placed on your accounts or new account numbers can be assigned.
Check your credit reports as these will show any inquiries made under your social security number. You can also place a “fraud alert” with each bureau.
Contact your local police to file a report.
Contact the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) at (877) 438-4338 or Consumer.gov. Fill out the ID Theft Affidavit, make copies and send them to creditors. While federal investigators only tend to pursue larger, more sophisticated fraud cases, they do monitor identity theft crimes of all levels in the hopes of discovering patterns and breaking up larger rings. The agency also has an online complaint form.
Check your credit reports again in regular intervals to watch for new activities that are not your own. Some thieves are very patient and may wait at least 90 days (after fraud alerts expire) before attempting to use your personal information to steal your identity. Experts suggest checking your credit reports with all three credit bureaus every six months.

Source: Bankrate.com.

Quick Links
If you think or know your identity has been stolen or compromised, please use these links to notify authorities:

SSFCU Debit MasterCard
SSFCU Checking Account
SSFCU VISA Credit Card
Visa Traveler’s Cheques

Credit Bureaus
Everyone is entitled to a free copy of your credit report from each of the credit bureaus annually. For your free reports, click here.

To contact a specific credit bureau about identity theft, please click one of the links below. Once you request any credit bureau to place a fraud alert on your credit report, that credit bureau notifies the other two.

Trans Union
Experian
Equifax

Federal Trade Commission
Federal Trade Commission

Direct Deposit Advantages

Sign up now to have your payroll or government check directly deposited to your Southern Security accounts. Many employers and the government are mandating that you name a financial institution to receive your payments. There are many benefits to this electronic fund transfer (EFT) - and Southern Security adds even more!

Faster - You no longer have to wait for your government check to arrive at your post office box or your mail box, then make the effort to drive to the credit union. Or, leave your work on your lunch break to make a mad dash to deposit your payroll. Why? Your money is already in your account at the credit union.

Safer - No more worrying about a check getting lost in the mail or someone "intercepting" it. Did you know that if you receive the traditional paper check, you're 20 times more likely to have a problem with it?

More Reliable - You always know when your check is to be deposited. And you can always check on its status via CU Online or MoneyTalk.

More Convenient - Now, even if you're out of town, your deposit is still made for you at the regular date and time.

Southern Security's added benefits:

Direct deposit is offered at no cost to you.

Southern Security will split your deposit any way you request. Other financial institutions may require the deposit be made into a checking account. We allow you to designate which accounts receive deposits - Christmas Club, loan payments, savings, and of course, checking. Just let us know!

Remember, there is no minimum deposit requirement for checking AND our checking account is FREE. What a perfect combination for direct deposit.

To set up direct deposit...

For your payroll, simply request a new payroll deduction card from your payroll department and indicate "direct deposit" on the back. Don't forget to tell us how you want the deposits split (Checking, savings, Christmas Club). Some employers have an additional direct deposit form, as well. You can also request a new payroll deduction card from us.

For government checks, call us and we'll set it up for you in minutes. Or if you have questions about your Federal or military payments, call them directly:

Social Security	800-772-1213
Veteran's Affairs	800-827-1000
Office of Personnel Management	888-767-6738
Railroad Retirement Board	800-808-0772