The USPS is the most recent victim of a data breach. For approximately 750,000 USPS employees and retirees, compromised data includes names, dates of birth, Social Security numbers, addresses, beginning and end dates of employment, and emergency contact information for employees. For the approximately 2.9 million customers, compromised information includes names, home addresses, phone numbers, and email addresses.
Individuals are encouraged to report any suspected instances of identity fraud to the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center at www.ic3.gov. Additionally, you may contact one of our branches to be submitted to our Identity Care Recovery Center if you find suspicious activity involving the use of your identification information.
It is important to know the following information:
- It has been reported that the USPS will provide monitoring services for individuals whose information was compromised. HOWEVER, credit monitoring only alerts you to new credit or changes to your existing credit. Since credit card information was not included in the compromised data, a criminal use of your data may not trigger a credit monitoring alert.
- Connect Credit Union includes identity theft protection for all its Checking Account Members, unless you have opted out of the program. If you suspect identity fraud of any kind, whether financial or non-financial, even if it is not connected to this incident, just let us know. You will be assigned to a certified, professional Recovery Advocate at no cost to you. These professionals are standing by to answer questions, place fraud alerts, research potential fraud, dispute fraudulent transactions on your behalf, and perform the legwork to return you to pre-theft status, no matter how long it takes. If you suspect any fraudulent transactions, please contact Connect Credit Union Member Services immediately at 954-730-2047 (Broward) or 800-445-7418 (Toll Free).
Be wary of emails or telephone calls that request information. Neither the USPS nor Connect Credit Union will ask you to provide any information in relation to this possible data breach incident.
Below are recommended steps to remain vigilant against possible identity fraud:
- Check your bank statements. Review your statements carefully and repeatedly. Any purchases, large or small, should be verified as a purchase you made.
- Get Help. You need to notify us as soon as possible if you see any suspicious activity. If you are concerned about fraud beyond the transactions on your current account, you may have access to an Identity Theft Protection program that includes Fully Managed Identity Fraud Research, Remediation, and Recovery Services. We will submit your name to our Recovery Care Center and, within 24 business hours, you will be contacted by a Recovery Advocate who will investigate the situation and remediate any fraud on your behalf. Contact us with any questions.
- Take Action. If you suspect that your identity has been compromised, you can place a fraud alert on your credit file by calling any one of the three major credit reporting agencies shown below. A fraud alert is a notation on your credit file to warn credit issuers that there may be a problem. The credit issuer is asked to contact you at the telephone number that you supply to validate that you are the person applying for the credit. This is not the same as credit monitoring.
Transunion: 1.800.916.8800
Experian: 1.888.397.3742
Equifax: 1.800.685.1111
In accordance with the Fair Credit Reporting Act, it is permissible for consumers to request a free copy of their credit report once every 12 months from each of the three major credit reporting agencies (TransUnion, Experian, and Equifax). To order a free credit report:
Online: www.annualcreditreport.com or by Telephone: 1.877.322.8228
We appreciate your trust in our financial institution. It is important to us to provide professional identity theft protection services for our Connect Credit Union Checking Members for any identity theft incident that affects you and/or your family.