Fraudulent E-mails and Web Sites
SmartyPig will never send e-mails containing attachments, or require customers to
send personal information to us via email or pop-up windows. If you encounter a
suspicious email, website, or unsolicited pop-up window that claims affiliation
with SmartyPig, please call SmartyPig Customer Service immediately.
If you provided personal information through an email, website, or pop-up window,
call SmartyPig Customer Service to report fraud at
888-567-6278
.
If you did not provide any information but just encountered a fraudulent email or
website, forward the fraudulent email or information to
report_fraud@smartypig.com
.
Identity Theft
Identity theft occurs when someone steals your personal information and uses it
to open new accounts or initiate transactions in your name. It is easily confused
with fraud. To help determine your situation, learn more about identity theft and
how fraudsters operate.
If the fraudulent activity is limited to your SmartyPig account(s): Contact us immediately
at
888-567-6278
.
If you believe you are a victim of identity theft that extends beyond your SmartyPig
account(s), consider the following:
Contact the major credit bureaus
You can request that the three main credit bureaus place a short or long-term “fraud
alert” on your credit file. This alert requires creditors to verify your identity
before opening any new accounts in your name or changing any existing accounts.
You will only need to contact one bureau, which will notify the others.
Credit bureaus must provide victims of identity theft a free copy of their credit
report. You should request one from each bureau, as the information can differ.
Look them over carefully to see if any fraudulent accounts have been opened. If
so, notify the credit bureau and the companies where accounts were opened to report
the fraud directly.
Once a dispute has been resolved, the credit bureaus you contacted will send you
another copy of your credit report. Review the report to make sure that all fraudulent activity
has stopped and your file has been corrected.
For more information about the steps to take and for credit reports, contact
Contact other creditors
Contact your other creditors, including credit card and phone companies, banks,
and other lenders, to notify them of potential fraud. Always follow up any telephone
conversations with a letter. Close any accounts that have been breached and reopen
them with new account numbers and passwords. (Do not use your Social Security number
as a username or password).
File a report with the local police
Contact your local police department if you suspect that your personal information
was stolen. A police report will lend weight to your case when dealing with creditors,
who may require proof of criminal activity.
Report the criminal activity to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC)
Call the FTC hotline at 1-877-ID THEFT (1-877-438-4338) to speak with a trained
identity theft counselor. Or submit a complaint to the FTC's secure online database
at www.consumer.gov/idtheft. Your
information may be shared with other law enforcement agencies investigating identity
theft.
Contact other agencies as appropriate
- Postal Inspection Service: If you believe your
mail was stolen or redirected, notify the Postal Inspector at your local post office.
- Social Security Fraud Hotline: 1-800-269-0271. If you suspect someone is using your
Social Security number for fraudulent purposes, call the hotline.
- Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV): If you believe
someone is trying to get a driver’s license or identification card using your
name and information, contact your local DMV.
Carefully review all of your accounts
Since identity theft takes time to resolve, you should continue to review all charges
and transactions appearing on account statements and online. Immediately report
any discrepancies.