Take Action Against Cyber Fraud

At Origin Bank, we value our customers’ most vital information and their right to financial privacy. Although proactive steps are taken, from debit card alerts to fraud monitoring, we understand that immediate and timely response to a potential breach is a necessity.

If you’re affected by a cybersecurity breach, move quickly to protect your personal identification and credit information from being compromised. As soon as possible, contact one of the three nationwide credit reporting companies and place a fraud alert on your credit report.

Here are the three major companies and their contact information:

  1. Equifax
  2. Experian
  3. Transunion

A fraud alert requires creditors to verify your identity before opening a new account, issuing additional credit cards or increasing credit limits. A fraud alert placed with any one of the three agencies requires it to notify the others. It’s recommended you provide a phone number when placing fraud alerts. Doing so gives creditors direct access to you, and they’re required to call.

Place an initial fraud alert on your credit report if you suspect you are or about to become a victim of fraud or identity theft. The alert lasts for one year, and it can be extended for another year. An initial alert entitles you to one free copy of your credit report from each of the nationwide reporting companies. This report does not count as the free annual report you’re allowed to request.

Place an extended fraud alert if your identity has been stolen, and you filed an identity theft report. An extended alert lasts seven years, and it entitles you to two free copies of your credit report every 12 months.

In addition, you can freeze and unfreeze your credit record for free with the three companies. A security freeze, also called a credit freeze, prevents new creditors from accessing your file, and it stops others from opening accounts in your name until you lift the freeze. This prevents opening new accounts in your name, though it does not prevent identity thieves from taking over existing accounts.

Two other important notes. The federal law establishing free security freezes does not apply when your credit report is requested for employment, tenant-screening or insurance matters. And unlike fraud alerts, the three credit reporting companies do not contact each other with a security freeze, so you may need to contact each one individually.

Have more questions about cybersecurity and protecting your identification? Here are some other ways to guard yourself. And remember, always contact the Origin team at the first sign of an account breach.