Report Fraud

Along with contacting the credit bureaus to file your initial report, we advise regularly reviewing your credit reports.

Free, secure online credit reports are available weekly from Equifax, Experian and TransUnion through annualcreditreport.com. You should review your reports at least annually or if your information has been exposed in a data breach.

You can also contact the individual credit bureaus. 

Call Beach Municipal FCU at 757.333.7787 or email memberservices@beachmunicipal.org as soon as you suspect fraud.

Other important steps include:

• Review all your accounts for signs of fraud. Inform credit card issuers and other financial institutions if those accounts are also affected by fraud. 
• Put a stop payment order on any missing checks. You may be required to close the account and open a new one.
• Request a “hold” on accounts affected by the fraud, and close any new accounts opened by the fraudster. Write down the names of the representatives with whom you speak, and document your calls for future reference. 
• Follow up your calls in writing, detailing any unauthorized activity you have noted. To support your claim, circle fraudulent items that appear on your account statements, and attach the statements to your written communication.
  • Send these documents to your credit union/bank or credit card issuer by certified mail with a return receipt. Keep copies for your records.
• Notify the three major credit bureaus to place a fraud alert on your credit report. This will inform creditors that your credit history may not be accurate.
  • Also, request the bureau to place a statement in your file asking creditors to call you directly before opening new accounts in your name or before making changes to your existing accounts.
• File a police report detailing the theft with your local police department or in the community where the fraud occurred. Make photocopies of the report, as you may need to provide copies to help resolve your case.
• Contact the Federal Trade Commission at 1.877.ID.Theft (438.4338) and add your name to the national database of identity theft cases. This step will help law enforcement agencies prosecute your case.
• Alert other applicable authorities, such as the Social Security Administration, United States Postal Inspection Service, or the Securities and Exchange Commission, as needed. 
• Open new accounts to replace any accounts you had to close.
• Change all your personal identification numbers (PINs) and passwords – even on accounts that weren’t affected. Don’t forget email accounts, frequent-flyer accounts, and online merchants – everywhere you use a password.
• Continue to monitor your credit union/bank, credit card, and brokerage accounts frequently for any new activity that may be unauthorized.

If you believe you have been a victim of a scam, your Debit or Credit Card has been lost or stolen, or you suspect fraudulent or unauthorized card transactions, please contact us immediately. 

You can reach our Card Services Department during normal business hours by calling 757.416.6161.

To report fraud during non-business hours:

Credit Card 
       571.526.3518 lost-stolen
       833.763.2013 fraud alerts

Debit Card 
      800.472.3272 lost-stolen
      833.735.1894 fraud alerts

The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) offers several resources for victims of identity theft, including: 

IdentityTheft.gov
This website provides step-by-step guidance and resources for reporting and recovering from identity theft. Users can create an account to track their progress, update their recovery plan, and pre-fill forms and letters. 

Identity Theft Hotline
This is a toll-free number that consumers can call to speak with a counselor about identity theft. The hotline is available Monday through Friday, 9am–8pm, excluding federal holidays. The number is 1.877.ID.THEFT (438.4338). 

Identity Theft Clearinghouse
If you prefer, you can write to the FTC at 600 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20580.