Protect Yourself from Identity Theft & Fraud

Your trust in Fifth Third is important to us - and we want to help you guard your personal information and protect yourself from identity theft and fraud. Identity Theft Education is key to fraud protection and the best line of defense against fraud begins with you. Understanding the different types of fraud will help you avoid becoming a victim.

Fifth Third does not contact customers via email, phone, or text message to request or verify personal or company information, including account numbers, passwords, personal identification numbers (PINs), Social Security numbers, or Tax ID numbers for security or any other purposes.

For your protection and privacy, Fifth Third representatives will ask for certain information to verify your identity when you contact us.

What is Identity Theft?

Identity theft (ID theft) occurs when someone assumes another person's personal identifying information (e.g., a name, social security number or date of birth) with the intent of committing fraud. Identity theft is often characterized as the largest growing crime in America. Experts estimate it takes fourteen months for an average victim to discover an identity theft and approximately two years to correct credit information.

Your identity can be stolen in a variety of ways:

• Loss or theft of your wallet, purse, or credit card
• Mail theft
• Skimming information from the magnetic strip on credit or debit cards
• "Dumpster diving" through the trash
• "Shoulder surfing" -- looking over your shoulder when you are entering a PIN or password
• Eavesdropping
• Scam phone calls where a stranger asks for personal or financial information
• Phishing and spyware
• Computer hacking

How Does Identity Theft Work?

Using one or more of the methods identified above, the fraudster obtains key pieces of personal information (e.g., Social Security number, driver's license number, home address, etc.) that is then used to open new bank accounts in your name, apply for mortgages, apply for credit, etc.

Below are links to information about different types of fraud and what you can do to protect yourself, as well as links to the latest fraud alerts impacting Fifth Third Bank and its customers. If you believe your accounts or identity have been compromised in any way, contact us immediately to report the fraud.