Arizona Attorney General Terry Goddard Educating • Protecting • Empowering Arizona Consumers Arizona Attorney General’s Office 1275 West Washington Street Phoenix, Arizona 85007 602.542.5763 400 West Congress South Building Suite 315 Tucson, Arizona 85701 Fraud Fighter Accounts 520.628.6504 Outside the Phoenix or Tucson metro area 800.352.8431 www.azag.gov Protect Your Money Message from Attorney General Terry Goddard Many people today have concerns about the security of their finances, especially with the increase in identity theft. My goal is to help you stay safe and well-informed. Fraud Fighter Accounts are not for everyone. They are intended for people most vulnerable to identity theft, coercion or fraud because of health issues, disabilities or because their financial security has been compromised. Fraud Fighter Accounts will allow consumers to choose among several options to better protect their money and help them avoid becoming victims of high-pressure sales, financial scams or overreaching by caregivers and family members. Fraud Fighter Accounts will provide an important extra measure of safety for those who need it. If you want this added protection or know someone who does, ask your financial institution about providing this service. Please share this important information with others. Sincerely, Terry Goddard Arizona Attorney General What Is A Fraud Fighter Account? A Fraud Fighter Account lets you choose from several security options to better protect your money. These provisions can help protect you from becoming a victim of high-pressure sales, financial scams, overreaching by caregivers and family members or identity theft. The options include: • Setting fixed limits on daily and monthly withdrawals from your checking or savings accounts • Notifying you and/or a trusted third party before suspicious transactions are processed • Limiting or preventing electronic access to your accounts. Do I Need A Fraud Fighter Account? Fraud Fighter Accounts are not for everyone. They are designed for consumers who have predictable expenses and do not need quick access to large sums of cash. The extra protections make it more difficult for anyone, including you, to remove large sums from your accounts. Make sure they will work for you. You might need a Fraud Fighter Account if your financial identity has been compromised. For example: • Someone else has used or tried to use your identity to obtain credit in your name • Your wallet was recently stolen 1 • You have noticed strange credit requests on your credit report • You have noticed charges for purchases you did not make You are at increased risk of identity theft or financial exploitation if: • You have been diagnosed with early stages of Alzheimer’s disease • You have health problems that make it more difficult to manage your own finances • You have concerns about caregivers or others accessing your financial information 2 • You have experienced recent thefts or frauds How Do I Obtain Fraud Fighter Account Protection? It’s simple – ask your bank or credit union! Most financial institutions already offer some protections, such as daily limits on ATM withdrawals and zero deductible insurance protection for thefts due to fraud. If you need Fraud Fighter Account protection, ask your financial institution to add this service. Updated information about participating financial institutions is posted on the Fraud Fighter Accounts page of the Attorney General’s Web site (www.azag.gov). How Else Can I Protect My Money? Shred documents and mail containing personal financial information, especially credit card offers and blank checks Protect your Social Security number • Be careful who you give it to • Remove it from your driver’s license • Don’t carry it with you Use great caution when providing personal information over the Internet • Do not provide any personal information on the Internet unless you initiate contact with a secure Web site • Never respond to emails requesting personal and financial information, even from “official” looking businesses or government sources • Use your billing statements or the phone book to find a customer service number and call to verify whether information requests are valid • Many thieves create fake Web sites that look like legitimate Web sites so they can steal your money and obtain personal information • Use a credit card, not a debit card, for Internet purchases 3 Control Access to Your Credit You are eligible to receive a free credit report from each of the three credit reporting bureaus every year. To order your free credit reports, call 1.877.322.8228 or request online at www.annualcreditreport.com (the central Web site established by the three credit bureaus). If your personal information is stolen or you notice any suspicious activity involving your credit, immediately contact one of these credit reporting companies: • Equifax, www.equifax.com or 1.888.766.0008 • Experian, www.experian.com or 1.888.397.3742 4 • TransUnion, www.transunion.com or 1.800.680.7289 You may request that reporting companies exclude your name from lists for pre-approved, unsolicited credit and insurance offers by calling 1.888.567.8688 (1.888.5OPTOUT). You can ask your credit card companies and financial institutions to put photo identification on cards. Write “Ask for Photo ID” on the backs of credit and debit cards in addition to signing them. Visit www.azag.gov for more information on how to protect yourself from identity theft. Be sure and sign up for emails from the Attorney General to receive late-breaking scam alerts and other consumer news. Endorsed by: AARP Arizona ABIL (Arizona Bridge to Independent Living) The Arc of Arizona Arizona ACORN (Association of Community Organizations for Reform Now) Arizona AFL-CIO (American Federation of Labor and Congress of Industrial Organizations) Arizona Alliance for Retired Americans Arizona Alzheimer’s Association Arizona Area Agencies on Aging Arizona Consumers Council Arizona Federal Credit Union Arizona PIRG (Public Interest Research Group) Arizona Retired Teachers Association Beatitudes Center Developing Older Adult Resources (D.O.A.R.) Pima County Public Fiduciary Anita Royal SEIU Arizona (Service Employees International Union) UFCW Local 99 (Arizona) (United Food and Commercial Workers) Pinal County Attorney Carter Olson For more information on Fraud Fighter Accounts, please call 602.542.5763 (Phoenix), 520.626.6504 (Tucson) or 800.352.8431 (outside the Phoenix and Tucson metro areas), or visit our Web site at www.azag.gov. The Attorney General’s Community Services Program includes S a t e l l i t e O f f i c e s and the F r a u d F i g h t e r Va n . Satellite Offices make it easier for residents to get information on consumer fraud and civil and victims’ rights issues in their own neighborhoods. Volunteers are available to make educational presentations to community groups and distribute materials at local events. Satellite Offices are located throughout Arizona. A complete list of locations and schedule of events are posted on the Community Services page of the Attorney General’s Web site. The F r a u d F i g h t e r Va n is the newest tool to bring services and information to senior centers, libraries and neighborhoods. The Fraud Fighter Van is filled with information about identity theft, scam alerts, Internet safety and much more. For more inf ormation, contact: Community Services Program Arizona Attorney General’s Office 1275 West Washington Street Phoenix, Arizona 85007 602.542.2123 or 1.866.358.6661 communityservices@azag.gov Flagstaff Lake Havasu City Sedona Prescott Payson Wickenburg Sun City Phoenix Apache Junction Tempe/ASU Mesa Florence Yuma Somerton San Luis Tucson South Tucson Sierra Green Valley Vista Tubac Nogales Other Consumer Publications a va i l a b l e f rom the Arizona A t t o rn e y G e n e r a l ’s Of f i ce i n cl u d e: • • • • • • Top 10 Consumer Scams Consumers’ Guide to Buying a Car Fraud Fighter Accounts Identity Theft Internet Safety Predatory Lending w w w. a z a g . g o v