ID Theft Awareness & Prevention
Security Center

What every customer should know.

Identity theft occurs when a person's identification (such as name, address, social security number, driver’s license, or any account number) is used or transferred by another person for unlawful activities.

How Identity Theft Can Affect You

The consequences of identity theft can be staggering considering extensive time spent closing bad accounts, opening new ones, and fixing credit records; high out-of-pocket expenses related to clearing your name; denied loans and jobs; and the possibility being mistakenly arrested as a result of crimes committed in your name. Now that you know what can happen, knowing how it happens and how you can prevent yourself from being a victim keeps you ahead of the game.

How Identity Thieves Get Your Personal Information

• Personal information could be stolen by someone you know (a friend, an ex-friend or ex-spouse, a family member, former roommate, etc);
• Personal information could be stolen from your car at a service shop, at home by service people, or from you purse/wallet by a stranger;
• Information stolen from dumpster, a.k.a. dumpster diving; from mail boxes at home, businesses, mail drop-off area; or from a postal worker’s truck while on delivery;
• Sometimes identity thieves target stores, car dealers, repair shops, etc, either by breaking in or working with someone on the inside; or
• Identity thieves may request your personal information directly from you through email, regular mail, or by phone posing to be someone from your bank or other creditors.

Steps to Prevent Your Information from Being Stolen

• Below are simple things you can do to help ensure no one can get your personal identifying information.
• Do not give your information to solicitors online, by phone, or survey, especially if you did not initiate the contact. Remember your bank already has your information so they wouldn’t ask for it again. Contact your bank to verify any requests using contact information you know, but NOT the one provided in the mail.
• Keep all personal information in a safe location.
• Shred any papers that have your personal information before you throw them away, including junk mails.
• Review free credit report and bank statements regularly. AnnualCreditReport.com provides you with a secure way to obtain a free credit report annually.
• Don’t open email you are not expecting; use firewall and virus protection software to protect your computer system.

What to Do If You’re a Victim of Identity Theft

• Contact the following:
  • Southwest National Bank at (316) 838-5741
  • Credit bureaus – Equifax, Experian, and Trans Union: obtain a recent copy of your credit report, place fraud alerts on your credit report, or to place a credit/security freeze on your credit file
  • Law enforcement (make a report) and other government agencies

Useful phone numbers and information are listed below for your convenience.

OCC Offers Identity Theft Help

OCC Guide on Identity Theft

Identity Theft Resources

Chexsystems:

(800) 428-9623

FTC: (877) IDTHEFT (438-4338)

Innovis:

(800) 540-2505

Telecheck:

(800) 366-2425

3 National Credit Reporting Agencies

Federal Government Resources

Identitytheft.gov is the federal government’s one-stop resource for identity theft victims. The site provides streamlined checklists and sample letters to guide you through the reporting and recovery process.

Nonprofit Resources

Direct Marketers