Safety & Security Tips for Account Holders

Top Tips for Debit and Credit Card Safety
Checking Account Protection Tips
ATM Security
Schemes and Scams
Parking Lot Security
Protecting Your Identity
Internet Safety Tips

Top Tips for Debit and Credit Card Safety

• Exercise care in protecting your bankcards - always sign your credit cards and check regularly to ensure that you have them. Report a lost or stolen card to the bank immediately. The longer you delay, the more time a thief has to run up charges.
• Review your monthly financial statements closely and immediately contact your bank or credit card company if you discover any unauthorized charges.
• Record your bankcard numbers and keep them where they will be safe but easily available to you. Your list should include the contact number needed to report lost or stolen cards.
• Open your credit card bills immediately - even if you intend to pay the bill later. Review the charges to see that they were for purchases YOU made. If you find unauthorized charges, call the issuer of the card immediately.
• Ensure that receipts or carbons containing your complete card number are securely destroyed.
• Don’t carry credit cards that you use infrequently. Keep them in a safe place.
• Don’t give credit card numbers to "telephone survey" people claiming to work for credit card companies, or to any unknown caller.
• Don’t be fooled by "Good Samaritan" callers who say they have found your credit cards and promise to mail them to you right away. This just gives thieves time to run up charges. CALL THE ISSUER IMMEDIATELY.
• Don’t ever lend your credit card to anyone.

To avoid becoming an unwitting victim of fraud schemes, you need to know about the existence and consequences of fraud, proper check issuing, and timely statement reconcilement. The following is a brief list of checking account protection tips.

• Guard your checkbook and extra (new) checks.
• Never give your account number and routing number to anyone over the telephone.
• Never use your deposit slip for "scrap" paper or notes and then give it to someone. Guard your deposit slips.
• Properly store or dispose of canceled checks.
• If your checkbook is lost or stolen, inform us immediately.
• When traveling for a period of time, it is wise to leave your checkbook and purchase traveler's checks.
• Always write checks using ink pens or typewriters - never in pencil.
• Write the payee name, and the dollar amount in both numbers and letters, as far to the left in the allotted space as possible and draw a line through the unused space to the right of the letters and numbers to prevent additions.
• Balance or reconcile your checkbook register with your monthly bank statements.
• When writing the payee name on the "Pay to the Order of" line, make sure the name is spelled out so it cannot be altered (e.g., I.B.M. could be changed to I.B. Maroney).

If possible, avoid using ATMs during hours of darkness. If you must do so, try to have another person accompany you.

If an ATM facility must be used at night, try to select one in an area that is well lighted.

When possible, try to choose a facility that has limited foliage and is well-trafficked.

Familiarize yourself with security devices that in place at the ATM you elect to use.

Thoroughly observe the area around the ATM before approaching and using the machine…look for suspicious persons loitering nearby, especially people who remain in parked cars.

Be cautious of anyone who engages you in conversation as you approach the ATM, while you are using it, or immediately thereafter.

Be suspicious of anyone who closely observes you while are using the ATM; protect your PIN from view.

Spend as little time at the ATM facility as possible.

Don't count or needlessly expose cash at the ATM. It should be counted in a secure place away from the machine.

Don't leave your receipt at the ATM because it may contain account information.

Don't reveal your PIN to anyone in person or over the telephone for any reason, even if the individual represents himself as a bank employee. This is especially important if you have recently lost or had your card stolen.

Schemes and Scams

"Bank Examiner Scam"
Swindlers and con artists attempt to convince bank account holders to withdraw funds, promising them an immediate windfall or telling them that their money will be immediately re-deposited. Don't withdraw large sums of cash at the request of a stranger even if they claim to be someone of repute such as a bank examiner, the financial institution’s auditor, a law enforcement officer, or an FBI agent.

"Phishing"
Criminals have gone "phishing". This is the act of sending pre-text emails to unsuspecting recipients who may think it is an email from their own bank or credit card company referencing problems with an account or some situation requiring a fast response. The emails are random, but sending thousands increases the likelihood that the scammers will reach some consumers who, indeed, do business with that particular bank. The email or its links will use the bank's logo and other graphics to give the impression that it is actually the bank sending the email, or "spoofing" it. The communication will then include a request to "verify" social security, account numbers, or passwords. Do not provide this information. Your bank or credit card company knows this information and does not need to ask you for it. This is a fraudster. A newer variation of this practice attaches "spy ware" to your PC, which can record keystrokes and other activity.

"Spoofing"
This malicious act can take several forms, but one of the most common vulnerabilities can occur when you make a mistake or a misspelling while typing in your bank's email address. This site where you are directed may look just like your bank's Web site, but it is not. If you make this mistake, the password and account information you provide thereafter could be stolen and could put your bank account at risk. Best advice - be sure the address is correct before you press the "enter" button.

Parking Lot Security

Be alert to your surroundings and other people around you.

Never display cash in a financial institution parking lot if possible, not even a "bank bag".

When you conduct banking business during the hours of darkness, have someone accompany you.

Park as near as possible to your destination, e.g., branch entrance, ATM, or night depository.

Protecting Your Identity

Identity theft is one of the fastest growing white-collar crimes in the nation. Here are a few pointers to help you avoid becoming a victim. Identity theft occurs when someone steals your personal information to establish credit… purchase items… or borrow money in your name.

Tips On Protecting Yourself

• Do not reveal personal identifiers unless you know how they will be used or shared.
• Don't release your financial information such as checking account and credit card numbers, or your Social Security number, to anyone over the phone or email, unless you know the person or organization that you're dealing with. Don't even release that information to someone claiming to be from your bank.
• Deposit your mail into a secure, official Postal Service collection box. Thieves may use your outgoing mail to steal your identity.
• If regular mail fails to reach you, call the company to find out why. Someone may have filed a false change of address notice to divert your mail to his or her address.
• Carry only the identification and bank/credit cards you actually need.
• Shred or tear up your charge receipts, credit cards, statements, checks or other sensitive personal information.
• Give your Social Security number only when absolutely necessary. Ask to use other identifiers if possible.
• Report lost or stolen checks immediately. Review new deliveries of checks to make sure none have been stolen in transit.
• Notify your bank of suspicious phone inquiries such as those asking for account information to "verify a statement" or "award a prize."
• Shred financial solicitations or financial statements before disposing of them.
• If your bills include questionable item, investigate immediately. This is often the first sign of identity theft fraud.
• Contact major credit reporting companies to review your file and make certain the information is correct. For a small fee, you can obtain a copy of your credit report at any time.

"Read between the lines"
Emails do not have boundaries. You may be the recipient of a fraudulent email from any country in the world. Pay attention to the finer details of any email that you receive. Are there typographical errors or unusual grammatical mistakes within the letter? Is there a hyperlink in the email that directs you to a Web site address that also bears noticeable errors in language and grammar? Use extreme caution. Do not input your personal information until you verify the Web site with your financial institution. Report any suspicious emails and web site addresses immediately

Most e-commerce Web sites maintain security departments that deal with spam, phishing, scam letters and other security breaches. Many illegitimate emails are sent daily asking you to update your password because of a purported "security compromise" that does not exist. Forward any unusual emails and Web site addresses to us immediately and we will investigate. A simple phone call to the organization in question will answer any question that you may have regarding security compromises.

"Pop up windows"
Beware of any window that "pops up" during an Internet banking session. If the window asks you to access another Web site or to enter your password you should be cautious. "Rats," or Remote Access Trojans, can be installed on legitimate Web sites by computer hackers who want to steal your personal information.

"Virus and firewall protection"
Use the best virus and firewall protection that you can afford. Virus protection and firewalls provide additional layers of protection that you need to insulate your risk exposure to viruses that can rob your computer hard drive of valuable personal information. Virus protection packages and firewalls can be purchased online or at reputable computer software stores nationwide. Remember, after you install virus protection you will still need to regularly update the software to ensure maximum protection.