Tips for Protecting Your Account Numbers and PINs
Few pieces of information are as desirable to identity thieves as account numbers and PINs. Because they provide direct access to your money, they are often the fastest route to stealing your money and wrecking your credit.
Follow these tips to protect these valuable pieces of personal information:
Never share your PINs, usernames or passwords with anyone. Be cautious of emails or individuals asking for this information. The Principal will never ask for your personal password via email or telephone.
Refrain from writing down account numbers or PINs. If you do need to write them down, keep them in a safe and secure place; do not carry them in your wallet.
Identify one secure storage place in your home to keep all of your financial records. This could be a drawer or file cabinet. It is better if you can lock it. Keep all of the following there:
- All account statements and new and cancelled checks.
- A photocopy of the front and back of all of your credit cards and ATM/debit cards. This will be helpful if you ever need to contact the issuers about a problem with the card or if one is lost or stolen.
Shield the keypad with your hand or body while entering your PIN at an ATM.
Always wait for all ATM and credit card receipts. Do not leave them at the ATM or store counter. Avoid any ATM that appears to have additional hardware affixed to it.
Change all passwords regularly using a mix of numbers and characters. Your password is more secure and harder for criminals to guess if you include a special character (like an asterisk or an exclamation point). Memorize passwords and store written records of them only in a secure place.
Immediately report lost or stolen checks, cards, deposit tickets or statements to your financial institution.
Purchase checks from your bank's suggested vendor instead of an unfamiliar vendor that may not be as reliable.
Review and balance your account statements on a regular basis. Watch for any transactions showing unfamiliar payees or amounts you do not recognize. The more often you review your statements, the sooner you'll be able to detect fraudulent activity on the account. If you have Internet access to the accounts, including any accounts with The Principal, review the activity in them on a regular basis.
Do not write the full account number on correspondence or checks to a bank or creditor. Instead, write only the last four to eight digits of a credit card account number on the check. Better yet, rather than writing a check, use an online bill-paying service like Principal Bank® Online Bill Pay features and/or an automatic payment system tied to your bank account.
Take the next step...
If you suspect a breach of the account held for your benefit with The Principal, call our fraud hotline at 1.800.642.3788 or report unethical or fraudulent activity via our website.
