Identity Theft: Protect the Health of Your Financial Accounts

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What is Identity Theft?
Identity theft occurs when someone uses your name or personal information, such as your Social Security, driver’s license, credit card, telephone or another account number, without your permission. Identity thieves use this information to open credit, bank and telephone service accounts, and make major purchases or withdrawals — all in your name. Information can be used to take over your existing accounts or open new accounts. Identity theft can damage your credit rating and denials of credit and job offers. If this happens, you can take steps to help limit the damages and restore your good name.

Protect your Identity
• Keep your information private. Before disclosing any personal information, ensure you know why it is required and how it will be used.

– Don’t respond to email, text or phone messages that ask for personal information. Legitimate companies don’t ask for information this way. Delete the message.

– Request to see a privacy policy. A legitimate business should have a privacy policy explaining why personal information is collected, how it’s used, and who will have access to it.

• Destroy old documents. Shred information you no longer need that contains personally identifiable information and account numbers. For example, credit card receipts, billing statements and pre-approved credit offers should be shredded before you discard them.

• Safeguard your mail from theft. Promptly remove incoming mail from your mailbox or consider a locking mailbox, and place outgoing mail in post office collection boxes.

• Carry only the essentials. Do not carry extra credit cards, your birth certificate, passport or your Social Security card with you, except when necessary.

• Review your credit report. The law requires the three major credit bureaus — Equifax, Experian and TransUnion — to provide a free copy of your credit report once per year. – Visit annualcreditreport.com or call 1.877.322.8228 to order your free credit reports each year. – Consider staggering your credit report requests from each agency throughout the year. Look for inquiries and activities on your accounts that you can’t explain.

• Review your statements. Carefully and promptly review all transaction confirmations, account statements and reports. Regularly review your accounts by logging into the secure site at www.ameriprise.com. If you suspect or encounter any unauthorized activity on your Ameriprise Financial accounts, call your personal financial advisor or contact Client Service at 1.800.862.7919.

• Enable text or email alerts. Many financial institutions offer text or email notifications when information on your financial accounts changes.

Protect yourself Online
• Be wary of any unsolicited emails and offers that seem too good to be true. Never click on a link sent in an unsolicited email.

• If you are in doubt, don’t reply. Call the institution at a known number.

• Use only secure websites when entering personal information or making online purchases. Secure websites can be recognized by the prefix https:// and a padlock icon in the web browser’s status bar.

• Avoid accessing your financial accounts online from public computers at libraries, hotel business centers or airports. These are prime target areas for thieves using keystroke monitoring tools to steal your usernames and passwords.

• Create unique passwords and personal identification numbers (PINs) using letters, characters and numbers.

• Use firewalls, anti-spyware and anti-virus software to protect your home computer and regularly update these programs.

• Educate yourself. There are educational materials about many of the online scams at onguardonline.gov.

• Limit the personal information you make public on social media sites, including information about leaving for vacation or information about your routines

What to do if your Personal Information is lost or stolen
• Contact one of the three major credit bureaus and request a “fraud alert” be placed on your file. The alert instructs creditors to verify your identity via phone before opening any new accounts or changing your existing accounts.

• If you suspect or encounter any unauthorized activity on your Ameriprise Financial accounts, call your personal financial advisor or contact Client Service at 1.800.862.7919.

At Cebert Wealth Management, we aim to help you feel confident, connected, and in control of your financial life. The right financial advice can help prepare you for whatever life brings – both the expected and the unexpected. When you work with us, you receive 1:1 financial advice based on your goals and needs. We offer personalized recommendations for a diversified portfolio and solutions to help protect you from uncertainty. We schedule regular meetings to review your goals, progress, and investments. Our team provides you with anytime access to your investments and digital tools to help you stay on track. Ready to learn more? Getting started is as easy as meeting for a complimentary initial consultation whenever it’s convenient.

Cebert Wealth, a private wealth advisory practice of Ameriprise Financial Services, LLC.

The initial consultation provides an overview of financial planning concepts. You will not receive written analysis and/or recommendations.

Investment products are not insured by the FDIC, NCUA or any federal agency, are not deposits or obligations of, or guaranteed by any financial institution, and involve investment risks including possible loss of principal and fluctuation in value. Investment advisory products and services are made available through Ameriprise Financial Services, LLC, a registered investment adviser. Ameriprise Financial Services, LLC. Member FINRA and SIPC. © 2023 Ameriprise Financial, Inc. All rights reserved.

Cebert Wealth has 2 convenient locations in The Villages:

Main Office
11714 NE 62nd Terrace, Suite 100
The Villages, FL 32162-8624
352.674.4200

Brownwood Office
2765 Brownwood Blvd
The Villages, FL 32163
352-674-4200