Fraud Protection Tips

Fourth Dimension Technologies, Inc. Take these important steps today to protect your name, credit and reputation:

Annual Credit Report www.annualcreditreport.com/ If you have specific questions about your credit file, you should contact the nationwide consumer credit reporting company directly using the contact information provided with your credit report. ​Equifax www.equifax.com/ To report fraud: 800-525-6285 ​Experian www.experian.com/ To report fraud: 888-397-3742 To order your credit report:  888-397-3742 ​Transunion www.transunion.com/ To report fraud: 800-680-7289 To order your credit report:  855-681-3196 If It Seems Too Good to Be True, It Probably Is.  Be sure to question anything that seems suspicious, especially if someone is trying to pressure you to do something quickly because it is “time sensitive”.  For example, if you are not a Fourth Dimension Technologies, Inc. customer and have no business with Fourth Dimension, definitely do not cash a check or verify a wire transfer you receive that appears to be from Fourth Dimension. Try to Contact the Real Source.  If you receive a suspicious looking check or wire transfer, notice, or request, the best course of action is to contact the company by a known verified method, such as the phone number listed on your billing statement or the number posted on the company’s official website.  Do not use the contact number provided by the individual who mailed you the check or wired funds. Electronic Messages. If you receive a suspicious email or text message, don’t click on any links, don’t reply with your personal information, don’t call the phone number, and don’t wire or otherwise provide money to the organization or person.  The same rules apply if you get a suspicious phone call or postal mail solicitation. Websites.  Typing in a domain name or website address directly into your browser window can help for two reasons.  First, it keeps you from clicking on links in emails that may direct you to a scam.  Second, it helps you avoid lookalike sites – fake sites that mimic, say, a banking site but use a slightly different yet very similar looking domain name or website address.  Logging in or providing information to such a site could result in identity theft. Review Your Credit Report Annually.   Be familiar with your credit reports from Experian, Equifax, and Transunion; they each provide one free credit report per year through AnnualCreditReport.com.  You may spot fraudulent accounts opened in your name or other signs of identity theft.   See if there are accounts or addresses you don’t recognize.  Is your social security number correct?  Have there been more credit inquiries than normal?  Any of these may be early signs of identity theft.  If you find something suspicious on your credit report, call the agency’s fraud hotline immediately.  You also may want to add a consumer fraud alert, which asks creditors to telephone you each time a new account is opened in your name. Limit the Use of Your Social Security Number.  Provide your social security number only when necessary and never provide it in response to an unsolicited email or phone call.  Don’t carry the card in your wallet and never print it on your checks. Secure and Shred Unneeded Important Papers.  Consider purchasing a home safe to store important documents, such as tax returns, birth certificates, and passports. Secure the safe to a wall or the floor so it can’t easily be carried off.  Use a crosscut shredder to destroy sensitive documents you don’t need to keep. Create and Use Complex Passwords.  Use a strong password, a unique one for each account.  Don’t use an easily discoverable password, like your mother’s maiden name.  When creating a password, include letters, numbers and symbols (for example: E$G%2Q) since they are more difficult for identity thieves to guess. Don’t Give Out Financial Information Online or Over the Phone.  Unless you initiated the contact and you know the party you are dealing with, do not give out financial information online or over the phone. Protect Your Digital Life.  Keep your operating system and software up to date, as well as your firewall, spyware, and virus protection programs.  Furthermore, before recycling or donating an old computer, remove and destroy the hard drive. For more information about protecting your identity or responding to identity theft, visit the Federal Trade Commission or the Internet Crime Complaint Center at IC3.gov. Additional Resources Learn more about identity theft and how to protect yourself by visiting: ​Anti-Phishing Working Group www.antiphishing.org/ ​Federal Trade Commission www.consumer.ftc.gov/features/scam-alerts ​Identity Theft Resource Center www.idtheftcenter.org/ ​Internet Crime Complaint Center www.ic3.gov/default.aspx ​Privacy Rights Clearinghouse www.privacyrights.org/ ©2022 Fourth Dimension Technologies, Inc. 1201 West Peachtree St. NW Suite 2300 Atlanta, GA 30309