Alerts & Safeguards

Craigslist Personal Safety Tips & Scam Alerts
Follow the links below to learn how to stay safe and avoid scams when using Craigslist. 

Personal Safety Tips
How to Recognize and Avoid Scams
Craigslist Scam Examples

If you think that you have been a victim of a scam or identity theft, contact Middlesex Federal immediately at 617-666-4700 and notify the appropriate agencies.  

Internet Fraud Complaint Center
FBI complaint form and hotline: 877-FTC-HELP (877-382-4357)

Marriott's Starwood Hotels & Resorts Data Breach
In November 2018, the Marriott International hotel chain announced a data breach had exposed the personal information of anyone who made a reservation at one of its Starwood hotels or timeshare properties on or before September 10, 2018. 

To learn more about the breach and free monitoring services for affected customers, visit https://answers.kroll.com/.

If you think that you may have been impacted by the Marriott Starwood data breach here are some additional steps you might want to take:

Monitor Your Financial Accounts
Regularly monitor your accounts for fraudulent transactions.  Use online and mobile banking to keep a close eye on your accounts. Set up automated alerts to receive notification of unusual transactions

If you requested a replacement card, remember to update any scheduled automatic payments.

Monitor Your Credit Report
You can order a free copy of your credit report from all three of the credit reporting agencies at annualcreditreport.com. You are entitled to one free report from each of the credit bureaus once per year.

Place a Fraud Alert or Security Freeze on Your Credit Report
Place a free, one-year fraud alert by contacting one of the three credit bureaus.  As soon as that company  possesses your alert, it will notify the other two. 

To prevent a credit reporting company from releasing your credit report without your consent, you can place a security freeze by contacting each credit reporting company.

Equifax
Experian
TransUnion

Before deciding whether to place a fraud alert or security freeze on your credit report, consider your personal situation. If you plan on applying for credit soon or think you might need quick credit in an emergency, it might be better to place a fraud alert. A fraud alert puts a red flag on your credit report which requires businesses to take additional steps to verify your identity before opening a new account, issuing an additional credit card, or increasing the credit limit on an existing account. The initial fraud alert will stay on your credit report for 90 days and can be renewed at the end of this period. An Extended Fraud Alert offers the same protection over a longer period (up to seven years) but requires additional documentation. Fraud alert services are free at all credit reporting agencies.

A security freeze, also known as a credit freeze, is designed to prevent a credit reporting company from releasing your credit report without your consent. Although a freeze may prevent an identity thief from opening a new credit account in your name, it also restricts prospective creditors from accessing your credit file. While a freeze is in place, the only entities that can see your file are creditors of accounts you currently hold, certain government agencies like child support agencies, and companies that you’ve authorized to monitor your credit file. A personal identification number or password will provide you with the opportunity to temporarily lift, or permanently remove the freeze. Fees and requirements for adding and removing a freeze vary by state.  Identity theft victims may be eligible for free credit freeze services.

Tips From Reliable Sources
The best defense is knowledge.  For bank related information and tips from reliable sources, reference the links below.

Do Not Call Registry
https://www.donotcall.gov/

Fraud Protection
http://www.consumer.ftc.gov/articles/0060-10-ways-avoid-fraud

Free Credit Report
https://www.consumer.ftc.gov/articles/0155-free-credit-reports
https://www.annualcreditreport.com/index.action

Protect Your Identity
https://www.consumer.ftc.gov/articles/0005-identity-theft
https://www.irs.gov/uac/Taxpayer-Guide-to-Identity-Theft
https://www.irs.gov/Individuals/Identity-Protection
https://www.ssa.gov/

Recovering From Identity Theft
https://www.identitytheft.gov/  

Safety Online
http://www.onguardonline.gov/