Identity Theft
Identity theft is one of the fastest-growing crimes. You can help protect yourself by following a few important steps:
- Never give your personal information over the phone, through the mail, or over the internet unless you initiated the contact.
- Change passwords often and always choose strong passwords with at least 12 characters, including numbers and symbols.
- Use different username and password combinations on different websites, especially for financial accounts.
- If unsure about a contact, verify it by visiting the company's website directly or contacting them through official channels.
- Memorize your Personal Identification Numbers (PINs) and keep them secure.
- Make online purchases only from credible stores and monitor your account for any suspicious activity.
- Review account statements regularly and report any discrepancies immediately. Use online banking to monitor activity.
- Review your credit report annually.
- Shred all personal financial documents before disposing of them.
- Keep your Social Security card in a safe place and only share the number when necessary.
- Never leave your laptop, tablet, or cell phone unattended and use passwords for startup on all devices.
- Encrypt sensitive data on your devices to prevent data theft if the device is lost or stolen.
|
Phishing and Impersonation Scams
Phishing and impersonation scams can occur over the phone, text, email, paper, or face-to-face. Stay aware of the types of scams and keep personal information private:
- Account Takeover: Criminals gain control of a victim's bank account by stealing online banking credentials, often through malware.
- Baiting: Using something of value to entice a victim to click a web link, which may then infect the user’s system with malware.
- Email Account Takeover: Scammers hack into and take over email accounts. Confirm suspicious emails through different communication forms.
- Fake Checks: Scammers send fraudulent checks and request the victim to send them a check for the difference. Funds availability does not mean the check has cleared.
- Fraudulent Emails: Emails that look like they are from known contacts but are actually from fake contacts or compromised accounts.
- Malware: Malicious software like viruses, spyware, and Trojans, intended to steal personal information or access systems.
- Phishing: Emails that direct users to click a web link to deceive them into submitting login credentials or other personal information.
- SMSishing: Scammers use texting to falsely request private information for identity theft.
- Spam: Junk mail that can deliver malware, phishing, or other threats.
- Spoofing: False information to look like something else (e.g., caller ID spoofing or misleading web links).
- Vishing: Scammers use false identities over the phone to obtain private information for identity theft.
|
Trending Scams
Trending scams include new and evolving methods that criminals use to defraud individuals:
- ATM Skimming: Devices on ATMs capture data from the card's magnetic stripe. Check for tampering of the machine and cover the PIN-pad when entering your PIN.
- Common Scams: Work-at-home scams, sudden riches, rental schemes, overpayments, romance scams, scammers pretending to be distressed family members, and foreign business offers.
- Do not let pressure from a scammer influence you into making a hasty decision.
|
Check Fraud
Types of Check Fraud:
- Counterfeit Checks: Fake checks created to look like legitimate ones.
- Altered Checks: Legitimate checks that have been tampered with to change details like the payee or amount.
- Check Kiting: Writing a check from one bank account and depositing it into another without sufficient funds in either account.
- Forged Checks: Checks signed without the account holder's authorization.
- Stolen Checks: Intercepting checks in transit or from the victim's possession and using them fraudulently.
Common Scams Involving Check Fraud:
- Overpayment Scams: Scammers send a check for more than the amount due and ask the victim to send back the difference.
- Employment Scams: Victims are sent fake checks as payment for a job and asked to send money back for various fees.
- Lottery or Prize Scams: Victims are told they have won a lottery or prize but need to send money to cover taxes or fees using a check.
How to Protect Yourself:
- Verify Check Authenticity: Always verify the legitimacy of checks you receive by contacting the issuing bank.
- Be Cautious with Overpayments: Avoid transactions where someone overpays and requests a refund of the difference.
- Monitor Your Accounts: Regularly check your bank statements and online banking accounts for unauthorized transactions.
- Secure Your Checks: Keep your checkbook in a safe place and report lost or stolen checks immediately.
- Use Positive Pay: Businesses should use Positive Pay services where available to detect and prevent check fraud.
|
Special Tips for Seniors
Scams targeting seniors can be particularly devastating. Here are some tips to stay safe:
- Be skeptical of unsolicited calls, emails, or offers that seem too good to be true.
- Verify all requests for personal information with trusted family members or friends before taking any action.
- Regularly review your bank statements and credit report for unusual activity.
- Keep personal information secure and never share it over the phone or online unless you are certain of the recipient's identity.
|
How We Protect You
At The Equitable Bank, we use advanced security measures to protect your accounts and personal information. Here’s how we do it:
- Fraud detection systems that monitor and analyze account activity for suspicious behavior.
- Secure online and mobile banking platforms with multi-factor authentication.
- Real-time alerts for unusual activity on your accounts.
- Secure person-to-person transfers with Zelle.
- Debit Card Control: Additional security measures to require approval and the ability to turn on or off a debit card.
|
Reporting Fraud
- Keep records of fraudulent transactions.
- Notify creditors and financial institutions in writing and by phone.
- Report the crime to your local police and the Federal Trade Commission.
- Contact the credit bureaus to place a fraud alert on your credit report; Experian, TransUnion, and Equifax.
- For further assistance, please contact us at (414) 475-1690.
|
|