Prevent Identity Theft

Steps you can take to protect against fraud.

Protect your good name — and your good credit.

When someone steals your good name to commit fraud, it’s called Identity Theft. It involves using another person's name and information to obtain credit, steal money from existing accounts, or apply for loans (that you could be held responsible for). Some estimates show that nearly a million people have their identities stolen every year — a frightening statistic that costs consumers billions of dollars.

Although no one is completely immune, you can take action to avoid having your identity stolen.

FAQs

Carefully guard your personal information and be selective about with whom you share it. Personal information includes your full name, address, phone number, driver's license number, social security number, credit card numbers, birth date, and mother's maiden name.

Carry as few credit cards and forms of ID as possible.

Typically, there's no reason to carry your social security card in your wallet. Keep a list or photocopies of all information you carry in your wallet or purse. Store this information in a secure location.

Shred documents that contain your personal information and account numbers before you throw them away. This includes unsolicited credit card applications.

Don't print your driver's license or social security number on your checks.

Examine your credit report from each of the three major credit-reporting agencies at least once a year.
If you are a victim of identity theft, immediately take the following actions:

File a police report.

Contact the fraud departments of all three major credit-reporting agencies to request that they place a "fraud alert" on your file and that no new credit be granted without your approval.

Call the Golden 1 Member Service Contact Center at 1-877-GOLDEN 1 (1-877-465-3361) to close your defrauded accounts and open new accounts.

Contact a Golden 1 Loss Prevention Analyst at 1-916-733-5580 and press 2.

More about security.

• Don’t share your password.
• Don’t use the same password for multiple accounts or different sites.
• Make your password strong:
o Use both upper- and lower-case letters and include a special character (such as “!” or “&”)
o Create longer passwords
o Use a phrase with a combination of words, such as the lyrics of your favorite song, to make a longer password easier to remember
• Don’t share your device.

• Sign out of the Golden 1 mobile app when you’re done.

• Never store passwords on unsecure apps such as note-taking apps.

• Update your apps when prompted.

• Avoid downloading apps that modify the mobile device operating system.

• If you lose your mobile device, change your Golden 1 password as soon as possible.
Phishing scams are emails or text messages that attempt to get usernames, passwords, credit card details, or other sensitive information. They are often disguised as official documents and may even pretend to be from Golden 1. Here’s what you need to know to protect yourself:

• Golden 1 will never send an unsolicited text asking for personal information or instructing you to call us.
• Do not reply to an email or text message that:
o Threatens to close or suspend your account if you don’t take immediate action
o Invites you to fill out a survey that requires account or personal information
o Informs you that fraudulent activity has been detected, then asks for account information to access the activity
• Make sure you know who or where an email is from before opening any attachments.
• Ensure your computer has comprehensive virus-protection software installed, and keep your browser and operating system up to date with the latest patches or updates from the vendor.
• If you believe that your password has been compromised, you should change your password as soon as possible.
• Check for our Extended Validation (EV) security certificate when visiting our site. If you do not see this green lock with the name The Golden 1 Credit Union (US) behind it, you are not on a Golden 1 site.
Golden 1 does not endorse or guarantee the products, information or recommendations provided by linked sites. Golden 1 is not liable for any failure of products or services advertised on linked sites. Third-party websites may provide less online security than the Golden 1 website. Further, each third-party link may have a privacy policy different than ours. Thus, we encourage you to review each privacy policy for your own protection. Read Golden 1 Credit Union's Privacy Policy here.
In addition to the steps above, you should:

• Check your financial statements for any unauthorized charges
• Review your credit report at least once a year
• Shred documents before throwing them away
• Sign up for electronic statements — don't leave mail sitting in your mailbox
• Leave your Social Security card at home
• Avoid unusual-looking ATMs.
• When using an ATM, stand directly in front of the ATM and cover your hand when you type in your PIN.
• If you notice that the card slot, pin pad, or any part of the ATM seems to have been tampered with or altered, do not use the ATM.
• Notify the ATM owner if your card has been captured and not returned.
• If you are at a Golden 1 ATM and the card is not returned, enter the branch or call our Member Service Contact Center.
If your Golden 1 Credit, Debit, or ATM card has been lost or stolen, please call 1-877-465-3361 as soon as possible to report it and request a new card. Our toll-free number is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. You should receive your new card within 5 business days. If charges are made after your card has been stolen, please call our Member Service Contact Center at 1-877-GOLDEN 1 (1-877-465-3361) and we'll tell you how to file a claim.

What protection do I have against unauthorized transactions?

Unauthorized Transactions
Under federal law, Regulation E (Electronic Fund Transfer Act) establishes limitations on a consumer’s liability for unauthorized account activity. Regulation E covers transfers of funds from consumer checking or savings accounts through electronic methods such as debit card purchases, ATM withdrawals, transfers initiated by phone, direct deposits, and automated clearing house (ACH) transactions. Unauthorized transactions must be reported promptly. See your Disclosure of Account Information for more details.

Zero Liability Protection
Golden 1 debit and credit cards come with Zero Liability Protection against unauthorized transactions if the cardholder reports them promptly. Certain conditions and limitations can apply, including if the cardholder was negligent in handling the account or engaged in fraud. See your Disclosure of Account Information or credit card agreement for details.

How we protect you online

We do not knowingly market to or solicit information from children under 13, nor do we post offensive material that is harmful to children. We recognize that protecting children's identities and privacy online is important and that the responsibility to do so rests with both the online industry and with parents. We encourage parents and legal guardians to supervise the activities of children when using websites. We are not responsible for the data collection and use practices of nonaffiliated third parties to which our websites may link.