Privacy Policy
Our privacy policy is provided for your assurance that the Teachers' Retirement Fund protects your financial and personal privacy. Our policy applies to all personally identifiable information about members that is obtained by the Teachers' Retirement Fund:
Except as provided by law, TRF will not share any information related to you or your retirement account, be it financial, demographic or in any other way identifiable to you.
How we Keep Information Secure
Information security is one of our highest priorities. This priority is emphasized by our internal Employee Code of Conduct, this Policy, and physical, electronic, and procedural safeguards that we maintain.
Recognizing and Preventing Identity Theft
Rarely heard of a decade ago, identity theft has become a serious concern for anyone who has a social security number. Knowing how to limit the risk of being a victim could save you time, trouble and a lot of money.
Identity theft occurs when an individual uses another person's name, birthdate, social security number, credit card number or other banking or personal data as his or her own. The "stolen" information is then used to obtain employment, or to open credit card accounts, take out loans, make purchases, obtain utility service and such, all with the purpose of the "thief" getting the goods and services and the victim paying the bill.
According to Federal Trade Commission reports, more than 500,000 Americans will have their identities stolen in the year 2002. 42% of the top ten consumer complaints reported to the FTC were related to identity theft. During 2001, 1 in 20 consumers was a victim of credit card fraud and 1 in 50 had their identities stolen.
While nothing can prevent you from being targeted100%, you can reduce your risk of being victimized by forming some new habits in dealing with your personal paperwork.
Social Security Card. . . .
Be protective of your social security number. Memorize it and keep the card in your lockbox at home or your bank safety deposit box.
Be cautious about giving your social security number or other personal information out over the phone, on line or in the mail. This is particularly important when someone has contacted you. You are safer when YOU initiate the contact.
Do not have your social security number preprinted on your checks.
Ask to use another identifier rather than your social security number. Choose to identify yourself by account number if possible,
Credit Cards and Bank Accounts . . .
Keep the credit cards you carry with you down to a minimum. In fact, carry them away separately from your wallet. Close any credit card accounts you are not using.
Pay attention to the statements you receive. Are there charges you don't recognize? Have withdrawals been made or checks written that you don't recall or of which you do not have a record? Thieves count on your looking at the amount due or balance figures without really paying attention to the individual line items.
If you didn't receive a statement, call the bank or charge card company. Identity thieves have been known to change the address on an account to delay the time before the fraudulent withdrawals or charges are noticed.
In General. . .
Invest in a shredder. Office supply stores sell them for about 20 to 30 dollars. Shred any statement, bill, credit card offer, receipt, or form that you are not going to keep. Remember to shred those pre-approved credit card applications you receive in the mail.
Take outgoing mail to the post office or deposit it in a postal box rather than putting it in your personal mailbox. Try to retrieve your mail from the your personal mailbox in a timely manner. Indiana news sources have often reported stories of identity thieves scanning personal mailboxes for information or of checks being taken out of envelopes and "washed" in order that the payee may be changed.
Check your credit report annually at all three credit reporting companies. Review the reports for accuracy. Consumer Reports, in its July 2000 issue, cited a survey which indicated over 50% of the credit reports studied were inaccurate. An annual review will not only help you determine if you have been a victim of identity theft, it will also allow you to clean up any inaccuracies found. Since, It takes generally 60 to 90 days to clear up a problem, you will want to deal with any found immediately rather than wait until you are ready to buy a new car or get a new mortgage.
Did you open the accounts listed? Are the closed accounts noted as such? Do you recognize and remember dealing with the sources listed as making inquiries about your credit? If a specific company is noted as making fraudulent inquiries, you will want to notify the Indiana Attorney General's Consumer Complaint Division. (800-382-5516). See the Winter 2001 newsletter article on identify theft for more information.
What if You Become a Victim. . .
If you suspect you have been a victim of identity theft, immediately notify the three credit bureaus and request that a fraud alert be placed on your record. Close the fraudulent accounts. File a police report and notify the FTC (800-ID THEFT).
Credit Reporting Bureaus
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