Identity Theft and Fraud

• Dumpster diving: Criminals rummage through trash looking for bills and other paper with your personal information on it.
• Skimming: They steal credit/debit card numbers by using a special storage device when processing your card.
• Phishing: They pretend to be financial institutions or companies and send spam or pop-up messages to get you to reveal your personal information.
• Changing your address: They divert your billing statements to another location by completing a “change of address” form.
• Old–fashioned stealing: They steal wallets and purses; mail, including bank and credit card statements; pre-approved credit offers; and new checks or tax information.

Detect suspicious activity by routinely monitoring your financial accounts and billing statements. Be alert to signs that require immediate attention:

• Bills that do not arrive as expected
• Unexpected credit cards or account statements
• Denials of credit for no apparent reason
• Calls or letters about purchases you did not make

Inspect your financial statements every month, looking for charges you didn't make. Also, order your free credit report each year from www.annualcreditreport.com, a service created by the three credit reporting agencies:

Take these actions as soon as you suspect fraud or identity theft:

• Place a “Fraud Alert” on your credit reports, and review the reports carefully. The alert tells creditors to follow certain procedures before they open new accounts in your name or make changes to your existing accounts. The three nationwide consumer reporting companies have toll free numbers listed in the Detect Fraud section. Placing a fraud alert entitles you to free copies of you credit reports. Look for inquires from companies you have not contacted, accounts you did not open and debts on your account that you cannot explain.
• Close any accounts that have been tampered with or established fraudulently:
  • Call the security or fraud department of each company where an account was opened or changed without your okay. Follow up in writing, with copies of supporting documents.
  • Use the ID Theft Affidavit at www.ftc.gov/idtheft to support your written statements.
  • Ask for verification that the disputed account has been closed and the fraudulent debts discharged.
  • Keep copies of documents and records of your conversations about the theft.
• File a police report to help you with creditors who may want proof of the crime.
• Report the theft to the Federal Trade Commission to law enforcement officials across the country in their investigation:
  • Online at www.ftc.gov/idtheft
  • By phone at 1.877.ID.THEFT (1.877.438.4338) or TTY 1.866.653.4261
  • By mail at Identity Theft Clearinghouse, Federal Trade Commission, Washington DC 20580

In the event you have misplaced or suspect your Paducah Bank debit card may be stolen or misused, please contact us at 270.575.5700 immediately during business hours (Monday-Friday 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. and Saturday 9:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.) so we can cancel your card and issue a new one. Outside of business hours, you may call 800.575.5705; this is a 24-hour service line to cancel your card. To order a new card, please call the bank during the business hours listed above.

Paducah Bank will never call or e-mail you to ask for personal information (account number, Social Security number, debit card PIN, credit card number, etc.). If you receive an inquiry from someone claiming to be a Paducah Bank employee, simply ask for the caller's name and immediately contact us at 270.575.5700. Never give your personal information over the telephone or by e-mail.

All of this information is provided by the Federal Trade Commission. To learn more about ID theft and how to deter, detect and defend against it, visit www.ftc.gov/idtheft or request copies of ID theft resources by writing to:

Consumer Response Center
Federal Trade Commission
600 Pennsylvania Ave., NW, H-130
Washington, DC 20580