Fraud Prevention Tips

Stay safe while shopping

Monitor purchase activity: Review your account activity regularly, especially when you’re busy shopping. You can download our mobile banking app so you can view a snapshot of your accounts while on the go and monitor your purchase activity online from home. Before heading out the door or logging on to your favorite websites, review these tips to help you stay safe:

• Don’t over-share on social websites: Remember not to “over-share.” While social media websites may encourage you to share private information, avoid sharing full birthdates, place of birth, pet’s name, children’s names, or names of schools attended, especially if this information is used as a clue to account passwords or security questions. Never share your mother’s maiden name, Social Security number, bank account numbers, or usernames and passwords for any account including e-mail accounts. You’ll also want to keep your phone number and home address private. All this information could be collected and used by fraudsters to attempt illegal activity in your name.
• Be careful what you disclose: Don’t provide personal information to anyone who initiates contact with you. Be wary of special holiday offers or requests for personal or financial information via e-mail, text message, phone, or website for interactions you didn’t initiate. If you’re suspicious about a request for your information, verify that the request is legitimate by calling the number on the company’s website or billing statement.
• Protect your computers from malware with regular anti-virus updates: Updating anti-virus software on your computer is the first step toward protecting yourself. Remember not to download suspicious attachments or plug-ins. When making purchases, be sure the website address starts with “https.” The “s” helps ensure that your information will be passed along in a secure manner.
• Take the paperless route with online banking: Some fraudsters continue to access personal and financial information the old-fashioned way, by stealing bank or credit card statements from the mailbox. Reduce your risk of stolen mail by retrieving mail promptly and switching to online statements.
• Know what to do if you lose your purse or wallet: Take a moment to inventory or photocopy the personal and financial information you carry in your handbag or wallet, including items such as your driver’s license, bank cards, checks, and credit cards. Store your inventory list or photocopies in a secure location. This important step will help you know whom to contact if your handbag or wallet is lost or stolen.