your Security



What is Cyber Security?

It seems that everything relies on computers and the internet these days - communication (email, cellphones), entertainment (digital cable, mp3s), transportation (car engine systems, airplane navigation), shopping (online stores, credit cards), medicine (equipment, medical records), and the list goes on. How much of your daily life relies on computers? How much of your personal information is stored either on your own computer or on someone else's system?

Cyber security involves protecting that information by preventing, detecting, and responding to attacks.

For cyber security tips to keep your computing safe visit US-CERT



Steps to take if you are a victim of identity theft or fraud...
  • Notify the police, banks, loan agencies and creditors. Get a copy of the police report and keep record of all contacts with legal and financial institutions.
  • Contact the Federal Trade Commission to report the situation 1-877-ID-THEFT.
  • Cancel all credit cards, bank accounts, Personal Identification Numbers (PINs) and passwords.
  • Call the Social Security Administration at 1-800-269-0271 to report the fraud.
  • Call the major credit reporting agencies and ask them to attach a fraud alert and victim statement to their report.
    • Equifax 1-800-525-6285
    • Trans Union 1-800-680-7289
    • Experian 1-888-397-3742
  • Notify the Post Office if you suspect your mail is being diverted due to a change of address form being filed.
  • Alert utility companies that your identity is being used fraudulently and ask that your account be flagged.
  • Contact the Department of Motor Vehicles and ask if a license has been issued. You may be asked to change your license number; however, procedures vary from state to state.
  • Notify the passport office in writing to watch for anyone who may order a new passport in your name.
  • If tax fraud is suspected, contact the Internal Revenue Service at 1-800-829-0433.
  • If a civil judgment has been entered in your name for actions taken or debts incurred by the thief, contact the court where the judgment was entered and report that you have been a victim of identity theft. Ask how your name can be cleared.
  • If bank accounts were set up fraudulently or checks were stolen, contact check verification agencies
    • CheckRite 1-800-766-2748
    • ChexSystems 1-800-428-9623
    • CrossCheck 1-800-552-1900
    • NPC 1-800-526-5380
    • SCAN 1-800-262-7771
    • TeleCheck 1-800-710-9898


Take Steps to Help Recognize Fraudulent Checks

"When I win the Lottery" and "When my rich uncle dies", or "When I make my first million", are all common fantasy statements that keep us dreaming of big houses, fast cars, and exotic vacations. But every day, thousands of people receive the 'good' news of receiving an unexpected windfall. The bad news is that often someone has been hard at work to make you think your "Ship has come in." Many of these scams involve fraudulent checks with instructions to deposit or cash them, and then send a cashier's check or wire back to cover some legitimate sounding fee. How can you avoid falling prey to such a trick? Well, you need healthy doses of reality, common sense, and restraint along with a little information.

- If asked to send funds by Western Union or Moneygram to someone you don't know don't do it!

- If you are overpaid with a check for merchandise you sell over the Internet - there is about a 100% chance it is a scam.

- If you deposit or cash a fake check and it is charged back against your account, you are responsible. The scammer is long gone.

- If it sounds to good to be true, it mostly likely is.

For more help to avoid the fraudulent check scams, go to the Federal Trade Commission website.



Take Steps to Safely Shop Online

Each day millions of people safely shop on the Internet at merchants which are open at any hour, 365 days a year. Just as shopping at your neighborhood mall requires being aware of your surroundings, taking care with your possessions, and making informed decisions, safely shopping on the World Wide Web requires precautions as well. Avoiding sites with "to good to be true" claims, realizing that "Free" rarely is, and protecting your personal information are good beginnings. Some other precautions might include:

  • Making sure the business you are dealing with is legitimate
  • Looking for 'https' at the beginning of the web site URL. It indicates the use of a secure server.
  • Reading the site's privacy policy before deciding to provide any personal information and know why each piece of personal information is required
  • Reviewing all banking and credit card statements for correct posting of purchase amount and promptly reporting any fraudulent charges.

To learn more Steps to Safely Shop Online, visit the following sites...