How YOU can avoid Identity Theft!

At Black Diamond Mortgage Corporation, we take great care to protect your personal information. Strict policies and procedures are in place to ensure your account information is kept confidential. Only authorized individuals can access your account information.

Be wary of emails or individuals who ask for private personal information!

IMPORTANT: If you’re a Black Diamond Mortgage Corporation customer and have replied to such an email, please immediately call Black Diamond Mortgage Corporation at 406-862- 4999 immediately and we can research the problem in accordance with our Red Flags Policy.

What is Identity Theft?

Identity theft occurs when someone acquires key pieces of another person’s identity with the intent to commit fraud. Information such as name, date of birth, social security number, mother’s maiden name, etc., can help a criminal impersonate another individual.  Once this person has access to this information, they can commit different kinds of fraud, including accessing bank accounts, obtaining loans, making purchases, renting apartments, etc.

How Does It Happen?

Identity theft can happen to anyone, regardless of whether or not you use the Internet. In fact, experts say your mailbox and garbage are the easiest ways criminals can access your personal information.

Who Does It Affect?

Identity theft can happen to anyone in hundreds of different ways. It’s the fastest growing crime facing every citizen. Identity theft is a felony crime; however, police cannot help with your credit record or undo the damage that has been done. Delayed discovery of identity theft and the various ways criminals can now gain access to your personal information, can complicate a criminal investigation. Proper precautions with your information are the best protection.

How Black Diamond Mortgage Protects You

Your protection is the highest priority for us.

  • Verification:  when you contact us to discuss your transaction details, we request specific information about you to verify your identity before making any changes, or providing any information.
  • Communication:  we will contact you regarding any suspicious activity associated with your Black Diamond Mortgage Corporation account(s).

How You Can Avoid Being Victimized

Minimize your risk by completing the following steps (pertaining to information at Black Diamond Mortgage Corporation):

  • Never provide personal information over the phone unless you initiated contact or know with whom you are speaking to. Ask how your personal information will be used and protected and whether the information you’re asked to provide is voluntary or mandatory to complete the transaction.
  • Do not put outgoing mail in your home mailbox to be picked up. Take it to a postal box.
  • Get a locked mail box or post office box.
  • Shred all personal documents and unwanted mail. Criminals often work in groups going through garbage.
  • Order a credit report from all three agencies twice per year and review them carefully. Report any discrepancies in writing to each credit agency and explain the situation.

What To Do If You Suspect Identity Theft

  • Immediately contact the Black Diamond Mortgage Corporation at 406-862- 4999.
  • Contact the Federal Trade Commission’s Identity Theft Hotline: 877-ID- THEFT (877-438- 4338).
  • Notify local law enforcement to file a report.
  • Call the three main credit bureaus to get copies of your credit report (see the numbers below). With the bureau’s help, add fraud flags and statements to your report saying that all potential creditors should contact you to verify credit applications.
  • Equifax:  to order a report, call 800-685- 1111 or write P.O. Box 740241, Atlanta, GA 30374-0241. To report fraud, call 800-525- 6285 and write P.O. Box 740241, Atlanta, GA 30374-0241.
  • Experian:  to order a report or to report fraud, call 888-397- 3742 or write P.O. Box 949, Allen, TX 75013-0949.
  • Trans Union:  to order your report, call 800-916- 8800 or write P.O. Box 1000, Chester, PA 19022. To report fraud, call 800-680- 7289 and write Fraud Victim Assistance Division, P.O. Box 6790, Fullerton, CA 92384.

Learn More About Identity Theft

Visit these sites to find out more about identity theft and ways to protect yourself: