Identity Theft

If you are or if you suspect you are a victim of identity theft, please contact a personal banker by calling 608-253-1111 or 608-745-4300 or stop in at one of our branch locations in Wisconsin Dells, Lake Delton or Portage.

Identity theft happens when someone steals your personal information and uses it without your permission. It’s a serious crime that can wreak havoc with your finances, credit history, and reputation — and can take time, money, and patience to resolve.

What to Do Right Away

  • Place an initial fraud alert – A fraud alert permits creditors to get your report as long as they take steps to verify your identity. Fraud alerts are federal rights intended for people who believe they are, or who actually have been, identity theft victims.
  • Order your credit reports – from the 3 credit reporting companies: Equifax 800-525-6285, Experian 888-397-3742 and Trans Union 800-680-7289.
  • Create an identity theft report – An Identity Theft Report will help you deal with credit reporting companies, debt collectors, and businesses that gave the identity thief credit or opened new accounts in your name.

What to Do Next

  • Extended fraud alerts – last for 7 years
  • Credit freezes – A freeze generally stops all access to your credit report. The availability of a credit freeze depends on state law or a consumer reporting company’s policies. Fees may apply.

Specific Types of Identity Theft

Tax-Related Identity Theft – An identity thief may use your Social Security number to get a tax refund or a job. Contact the IRS if they send you a notice saying their records show:

you were paid by an employer you don’t know more than one tax return was filed using your Social Security number

Child Identity Theft – A child’s Social Security number can be used by identity thieves to apply for government benefits, open bank and credit card accounts, apply for a loan or utility service, or rent a place to live. Check for a credit report to see if your child’s information is being misused. Take immediate action if it is.

Many school forms require personal and, sometimes, sensitive information. Find out how your child’s information is collected, used, stored, and thrown away. Your child’s personal information is protected by law. Asking schools and other organizations to safeguard your child’s information can help minimize your child’s risk of identity theft.

Medical Identity Theft – A thief may use your name or health insurance numbers to see a doctor, get prescription drugs, file claims with your insurance provider, or get other care. If the thief’s health information is mixed with yours, your treatment, insurance and payment records, and credit report may be affected.

If you see signs of medical identity theft, order copies of your records and check for mistakes. You have the right to see your records and have mistakes corrected.

Protecting Your Identity

Protecting your personal information can help reduce your risk of identity theft. There are four main ways to do it: know who you share information with; store and dispose of your personal information securely, especially your Social Security number; ask questions before deciding to share your personal information; and maintain appropriate security on your computers and other electronic devices.

If your wallet, Social Security card, or other personal, financial or account information are lost or stolen, contact the credit reporting companies and place a fraud alert on your credit file. Check your bank and other account statements for unusual activity. Order a free copy of your credit report periodically to monitor your accounts. You have a right to one free copy of your credit report from each of the national credit reporting companies every year. If you stagger your orders, you can get a credit report every four months.

Your state law controls the rights you have if your information is lost in a data breach. When the organization that lost your information lets you know about the breach, they should explain your options.

Click here to visit Federal Trade Commission-Consumer Information for complete details.