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Minimizing Risk Through "Best Practice" Guidelines

What You Can Do

Identity thieves use a variety of tactics to obtain your personal information such as your Social Security number, login credentials or credit card details to commit fraud.

The Federal Trade Commission has formulated the following three-step approach for identity theft protection: Deter Detect Defend

Deter Identity Thieves by Safeguarding Your Information

Protect your Social Security number. Never carry your Social Security card.
Shred financial documents before disposing of them.
Keep your personal information and sensitive items, like checks and credit cards, in a secure place both at home and work.
Do not share your personal information unless you know who you're dealing with. If you did not initiate the communication, you should not provide any information.

Detect Suspicious Activity.

Monitor your financial accounts and billing statements regularly, looking closely for charges you did not make.
Be aware of bills or other mail that no longer arrive. Identity thieves may change your billing address to cover their tracks.
Obtain and review your credit report. For a free annual report, call 1-877-322-8228 or visit www.annualcreditreport.com.
Investigate denial of credit or less favorable terms like a high interest rate.
Investigate debt collection letters and phone calls about merchandise or services you didn't buy.

Defend Against Identity Theft.

Contact your financial institution immediately and alert them to any instance of identity theft.
Contact one of the three major credit bureaus to place a fraud alert on your file. This will help prevent new accounts from being opened in your name.
- Equifax 1-800-525-6285 www.equifax.com
- Experian 1-888-397-3742 www.experian.com
- TransUnion 1-800-680-7289 www.transunion.com
File a police report in the community where the identity theft took place.
File a complaint with the Federal Trade Commission.
- www.ftccomplaintassistant.gov
  1-877-ID-THEFT (438-4338)
Close accounts that have been opened or used fraudulently.

Follow Online Security "Best Practices"

Use hard-to-guess passwords.
Do not use security questions with answers available on social networking sites — for example, the name of your high school.
Minimize the amount of personal information added to social networking websites.
Never click on links sent in an unsolicited email (SPAM).
If you receive an attachment from someone you do not know or are not expecting, do not open it; delete it.
Do not include sensitive information in emails.
Beware of emails asking for personal information. First Republic Bank will not send these types of emails.
Ensure anti-virus and anti-spyware software are installed on your computer and schedule frequent updates and scans.
Turn on your computer's firewall.
Check your computer operating system's automatic update settings to ensure you're receiving updates.
Use newer versions of Web browsers with built-in security features.
Check your software programs for updates that may be available in the "Help" menu or on the software vendor's website.
Download the Trusteer Rapport free online banking protection software offered by First Republic Bank
Avoid using unsecured wireless (Wi-Fi) for any online activity requiring a login.
Avoid banking on computers provided by Internet cafes, hotels and public kiosks.
Only download items from the Internet from trusted sources.

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