|
Security Savings Bank is committed to protecting our customers’ personal information. We strive to ensure that your online transactions are confidential and secure. Although Security Savings Bank has established thorough policies and procedures to protect our customers’ personal information, your role is especially important in protecting your own information. Staying informed about the most current Internet scams is very important. Please review the following information to learn what you can do to safeguard your information.
Security Savings Bank will never contact you through pop-up windows, email, or phone calls to request social security numbers, account numbers, ATM or debit card numbers, passwords or any other personal information. If you ever receive an email, pop-up, or phone call that appears to be from Security Savings Bank requesting information, never respond, and immediately contact Security Savings Bank @ 1-800-457-7438.
Email is not a secure transmission of data; therefore, you should never disclose confidential information in an email. “Phishing” is a common scam where emails are sent disguised as legitimate businesses, usually suggesting that your records need to be updated. They request you to either reply to the email or click on a link that resembles the legitimate businesses’ web address and enter this information into a form. If you feel like you have been a victim of an email such as this please follow the steps below under the “Actions to take if you think you've been a victim of Identity Theft” section.
“Pharming” is a scam similar to “phishing” except the scammer uses other methods to entice their victims to disclose their personal information. These scammers install malicious software or use other procedures to redirect a customer to a fraudulent website. It is possible for you to be redirected to one of these fraudulent sites even when you type in the web address correctly. However, there are steps you can take to prevent yourself from becoming a victim of this scam. When providing personal information across the Internet you can identify that your online session with Security Savings Bank is secure by:
- …ensuring that the URL reads “https://…” instead of “http://” The “s” represents that you are performing a transaction across a “secure” connection.
- …verifying that a locked padlock icon or unbroken key icon appears at the bottom of your browser.
SECURE  UNSECURE 
- Choose an effective password that will not be easily identifiable to others. Suggestions for selecting an effective password:
- Avoid using information that is common knowledge to others such as: date of birth, street address, telephone numbers, etc.
- Select a password that uses a combination of numbers and letters, such as “mary123”, not something found in a dictionary.
- Review your online credit card and bank accounts statements to make sure there are no unauthorized charges. If you notice any unusual transaction(s) on your bank account statement contact us immediately so that we can take the appropriate steps to avoid further misuse of your accounts.
- Utilize the most up-to-date virus protection software.
- Use a personal firewall on your computer.
- Always use the “log out” icon when you finish your online banking session.
- Review your credit report from the three major agencies at least annually to confirm there were no unauthorized credit inquiries made or accounts opened in your name.
- Effective September 1, 2005, you are eligible for a free copy of your credit report under the Fair and Accurate Credit Transactions Act (FACT Act). The FACT Act requires the three major credit reporting agencies to provide consumers with a free copy of their own credit report each year.
- To obtain a free credit report contact:
Annual Credit Report Request Service
P.O. Box 105281
Atlanta, GA 30348-5281
Annual Credit Report Website
1-877-322-8228
- If you think you've been a victim of identity theft, immediately contact the fraud division of the credit reporting companies and request that a "fraud alert" be placed in your file. Ask that no new credit be granted without your approval. The credit reporting agencies have agreed to notify one another when an individual places a fraud alert in his credit file. The individual need only call one of the credit reporting agencies.
| Major Credit Reporting Agencies |
|
1-800-525-6285 |
|
1-888-397-3742 |
|
1-800-680-7289 |
- If you have given out your bank account information:
- Contact us as soon as possible so that we may close your account and reestablish a new account for you.
- If you have given out your credit, debit or ATM card information:
- Report the incident to the card provider as soon as possible; cancel the existing card and request a new card with a new card number.
- Notify the Social Security Administration by calling 1-800-772-1213.
- Notify any other grantors of credit of the fraud, and then file a police report. You should never send originals of your documentation -- always make copies.
- Report the fraud to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) toll free at 1-877-438-4338 or TDD: 202-326-2502. The FTC is the clearinghouse for identity theft complaints. They provide information to help resolve financial problems that result from identity theft. The FTC provides an ID Theft Affidavit, which you should complete as soon as possible after you become aware of the fraud. Completing this affidavit can help protect you from responsibility for fraudulent charges on your accounts.
- Once you ascertain that your identity has been stolen, remember to keep detailed records of all events. Include names, telephone numbers, and the date and time you made contact with individuals or companies requesting assistance in recovering your good name.
- You can read more about electronic fraud or report suspicious email activity on the Federal Trade Commission website.
- You can find resources provided by the FDIC regarding Consumer Protection on the FDIC Consumer Protection website.
- Consumer Fraud Protection Information, and a link to sign up for consumer alerts, are available from the North Carolina No Scam website.
|
