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Prevent Identity Theft

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Stay Safer From
Identity Theft

You trust us with your money, and we take that seriously. We’ve got your back! We use advanced security measures to safeguard the privacy of your confidential information. All Grow Visa® debit and credit cardholders are automatically enrolled for Grow Card Alerts, and under the protection of Visa’s Zero Fraud Liability policy, you won’t be held liable when you report unauthorized charges made with your card. Plus, our team members are trained to help you navigate dealing with scammers, so if you ever need us, stop by a Grow store or contact us.

Tips to Protect Yourself From Identify Theft

With the increase in data breaches, scams of all kinds, ransomware and other threats, it has never been more important for consumers and business owners to secure their personal information. Here are some steps you can take:

  • Use strong passwords.
  • Check your credit report frequently.
  • Keep important documents secure.
  • Be mindful of sharing too much information on social media.
  • Stay alert about common scams and look out for warning signs.
  • Don’t give out personal information by phone, text or email.
  • Be skeptical of unsolicited requests to verify account information.
  • Enable Multifactor Authentication (MFA) for your accounts.
  • Never wire money or send gift cards to someone you don’t know.
  • If you operate a business, secure your IT Infrastructure with a firewall and anti-virus software and back up your data regularly.

Remember, Grow will never make unsolicited contact with you to request verification codes over the phone. 

How to Report Scams and Fraud

Phishing emails

  • If you receive a phishing email and want to help law enforcement identify and stop the scammer, you can forward it to the Anti-Phishing Working Group at phishing@antiphishing.org.
  • If you’ve already clicked on a suspicious email or downloaded something malicious, visit the FTC’s OnGuardOnline for help.

Suspicious text messages

If you suspect a text message phishing scam, take these steps:

  • Forward the message to 7726 (spells SPAM). You’ll receive a message back that reads: “Free Msg: Thank you for reporting spam. Please reply with the source phone number or email address of the offending message.”
  • When prompted, reply to 7726 via text message with the source number “XXX.XXX.XXXX” or “XXXXX”. When you forward the original message, it does not send the scammer’s address, only the message content, so for your report to be effective, you must also reply with the offending number that originated the message for your mobile provider to investigate.
  • Add the offending number to your block list.

 IRS-related scams and tax fraud

  • If you’ve received an email that claims to be from the IRS, forward it directly to phishing@irs.gov.
  • If you’ve been the victim of tax fraud, you can call the IRS ID Protection Unit directly at 800.908.4490.

Warning Signs of Identity Theft

There are several warning signs that may indicate you’ve been a victim of identity theft, including:

  • Receiving mail about loans or credit cards you did not apply for.
  • Unknown inquiries on your credit report.
  • Unauthorized transactions on your bank accounts.
  • Tax return rejections marked “previously filed.”
  • Your health plan rejects your legitimate medical claim because their records show you’ve reached your benefits limit.

If you believe you’ve been a victim of identity theft, it’s important to act quickly.
You should immediately contact:

Stay Informed About Scams

You may have heard of phishing scams, tech support scams and romance scams, which are just a few of the increasingly common types of fraud. Scammers never stop inventing new ways to get after your personal information and hard-earned cash. That’s why it’s critical to stay in the know about what scams are out there and how they may affect you. When you’re armed with information, you’ll be safer from fraud. To help keep members safe, we regularly share tips and resources designed to help you spot a scam. Check out our latest security education.

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