Seven Steps to Avoid Identity Theft

Don't be a  statistic, here are 7 ways to avoid identity theft. 

  • Identity theft is widespread: 2023 saw approximately 5.7 million fraud and identity theft reports with a median loss of about five hundred dollars and total losses of around ten point two billion dollars.

  • Avoid carrying your social security card and keep copies of wallet cards at home so you can report them accurately if they are lost or stolen.

  • Use strong passwords, be wary of suspicious emails and calls, and remember that Chessie will never ask for personal information by phone; if you receive such a call, hang up and call 301‑777‑1781 to verify.

  • Protect yourself by securing and regularly updating electronic devices, shredding personal documents (Chessie hosts a yearly Shred Day) and monitoring online banking and credit reports at annualcreditreport.com every few months.

  • Chessie Federal Credit Union serves members through multiple branches, ATMs and shared branching facilities across the United States, emphasizing its commitment to personal financial services and member support.


According to identitytheft.org in 2023, there has been 5.7 million total fraud and identity theft reports. 1.4 million of those were identity theft cases and the median loss of fraud cases for victims is about $500. Total losses are estimated to be $10.2 billion.

Don’t be one of those cases, follow these steps…

            Step 1: Don’t carry your social security card with you. Make copies of all your cards in your wallet so that if they are stolen you will be able to report it accurately.

            Step 2: Don’t use easy passwords and pin numbers. Use a combination of letters, numbers, and special characters.

            Step 3: Use your instincts when answering emails/phone calls. NEVER click on links that are not trusted.

            Step 4: Chessie will not call you and ask for personal information. If this happens, hang up and call 301-777-1781 to check to see if there is a problem with your account.

            Step 5: Secure your electronic devices and update them regularly.

            Step 6: Shred your personal documents. Chessie Federal Credit Union has a yearly Shred Day in September.

            Step 7: Check your online banking and credit reports regularly. Go to annualcreditreport.com to check a different bureau every 4 months.


The mission of Chessie Federal Credit Union is to provide personal financial services to our membership in an efficient, friendly, and convenient manner. Chessie has 8 branches, 14 ATMs, and over 5,000 shared branching facilities in the United States. We’re here for you.