Three CUs Take on ID Theft

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. – Los Angeles Police Federal Credit Union (LAPFCU), Williston, Virginia-based New England Federal Credit Union, and California-based Monterey Credit Union have stepped up to help their members fight identity theft by providing Identity Theft 911 (www.identitytheft911.com) free of charge. Under the new program, some of the services now available to members range from access to a personal advocate who works with the victim one-on-one until the crisis has been resolved and systematic notification of agencies, businesses, institutions to case file preparation. The program also includes a consumer education component, which will provide all members with ongoing emailed fraud alerts, a monthly newsletter, and a dedicated Web site with articles, interviews, and white papers covering every aspect of identity theft. “The Los Angeles Police Federal Credit Union was founded for one reason: to serve the sworn and civilian employees of the L.A.P.D. and their families,” said LAPFCU President/CEO Stephen M. Endaya. “We wanted to make world-class identity theft protection available to our members and their families, at no cost to them and without compromising their privacy. The Identity Theft 911 program will be a significant step forward in protecting them against the damage this crime can inflict.” According to NEFCU Executive Vice President/COO John Dwyer, offering free access to identity theft victim assistance and consumer education is simply part of the credit union’s dedication to protecting its members’ privacy and security. “That’s why we’ve been working actively to inform our members about identity theft since 2000. By making them safer and more secure against identity theft, the Identity Theft 911 program will make a major contribution to our members’ peace of mind,” said Dwyer. NEFCU also offers its members a credit monitoring service to help them prevent identity theft from ever taking place, along with up to $25,000 in potential compensation that will help to defray lost wages or legal fees involved in restoring a stolen identity.