The (ABA) American Bankers Association has declared that this year’s "Get Smart About Credit Day" was Oct. 16. Employees from banks everywhere are encouraged to invest in their communities by educating people on the benefits of establishing and maintaining a good credit history.
There are three major credit reporting agencies: Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion. Each of them will give consumers one free credit report per year. If you request one from Equifax in January, one from Experian in May, and one from TransUnion in September, you can check your credit three times a year, absolutely free of charge. AnnualCreditReport.com will help you get started, or you can contact each credit reporting agency individually – Equifax.com or 1-800-685-1111; Experian.com or 1-888-397-3742; Transunion.com or 1-800-916-8800.
Protect your account information. Don’t write your personal identification number (PIN) on your ATM or debit card. Don’t write your social security number or credit card account number on a check. Cover your hand when you are entering your PIN number at an ATM.
Don’t carry your Social Security card, passport or birth certificate unless you need it that day. Take all but one or two credit cards out of your wallet, and keep a list at home of your account information and customer service telephone numbers. That way, if your wallet is lost or stolen, you’ll only have to notify a few creditors and the information will be handy.
Never provide personal or credit card information over the phone, unless you initiated the call. Crooks are known to call with news that you’ve won a prize and all they need is your credit card number for verification. Don’t fall for it. Remember the old saying, “if it sounds too good to be true, it probably is.”
These are just a few tips that will help to establish, maintain and protect your financial credit history. Your local banker will likely have several more suggestions that they would like to share with you. Contact them today and ask your local bank to help educate our communities.
Kerrie L. Zubrod is the V.P. of Marketing & Training with Century Bank of the Ozarks & Legacy Bank and Trust Company in Gainesville, Mo.
