Lima, OH - On Credit Check Wednesday, Dec. 1, 2021, Crime Victim Services and participating financial institutions encourage you to check your credit report and Put Up Your Guard Against Scams. This year, four institutions with 15 branches will be set up to help people get their credit reports: Citizen’s National Bank, First National Bank, Premier Bank and Superior Credit Union.
Now in its sixth year, Credit Check Wednesday takes place the Wednesday after Thanksgiving. It follows some of our largest spending days: Black Friday, Small Business Saturday, Cyber Monday and Giving Tuesday.
Since 2016, participating financial institutions have provided in-person assistance for checking credit reports on AnnualCreditReport.com. Checking credit reports is a step that Elder Victim Ministry Advocates have observed most identity theft and scam victims do not do on their own.
How to participate in Credit Check Wednesday
Bring your photo ID to one of our participating bank locations. A representative will run your credit report free of charge using annualcreditreport.com. If needed, referrals for credit counseling will be made.
Participating locations include:
Premier Bank: Ottawa and Shawnee Rd. Lima branches
First National Bank: Ottawa, Pandora and Bluffton branches
Citizens National Bank: Elida and Downtown Lima branches
Superior Credit Union: Delphos, Ottawa, Lima: Elida Rd., N. West St., Allentown Rd., W. Market St./St. Rita's, Kibby St., and Blue Jacket Ct./Shawnee branches.
Put up your guard against scams
Twenty percent of 2020 Elder Victim Ministry cases were monetary crimes, many of which were scams. According to the Federal Trade Commission, common scam signs include:
Scammers pretending to be from an organization you know.
Scammers saying there’s a problem or a prize.
Scammers pressuring you to act immediately.
Scammers telling you to pay in a specific way.
For more information, contact Elysia Bush, director of Elder Victim Ministry at 419.222.8666
Crime Victim Services is a local, independent non-profit victim services agency that believes communities thrive when all members prevail over trauma and support one another with empathy and respect.