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General Prevention Tips |
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Online Tips |
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Identity
Fraud versus Identity Theft
Identity
fraud is usually limited to an isolated attempt to steal money
from an existing account – such as a charge on a stolen credit card.
With identity theft, a thief uses stolen
personal information, such as a Social Security number or bank account
number, to open accounts or initiate several transactions in your name.
This may cause financial loss or damaged credit.
In general, identity theft is more extensive than identity fraud. If
fraudulent transactions occur on your account, it does not automatically
mean your identity was stolen. It may be an isolated incident of theft
that can be quickly resolved.
Where does identity theft and identity fraud
happen?
Identity theft and identity fraud are portrayed as high-tech crimes
affecting only those people who shop, communicate, or do business
online. However, while thieves can obtain personal information via
online methods. The majority of identity theft and identity fraud
occurs offline. Stealing wallets and purses, intercepting or rerouting
mail, and rummaging through garbage are some of the common tactics that
thieves use to obtain personal information.
How can I protect myself?
Learn how to safeguard yourself and your accounts by reading the
following tips.
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Bank Account, Credit Card and Debit Card Security Tips
Bank Account Security Tips
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Report
lost or stolen checks immediately.
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Review account statements carefully. Regular account review helps to
quickly detect and stop fraudulent activity. Ask about suspicious
charges.
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With Bank of Glen Ullin you can monitor your account online any time
and as frequently as you like.
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Limit the amount of information on checks. Don’t print your driver’s
license number or Social Security number on your checks.
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Store new and cancelled checks in a safe and secure location.
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Carry your checkbook with you only when necessary.
- Use
tamper-resistant checks. Bank of Glen Ullin checks include many
safety features such as tamper-resistant packaging and chemically
sensitive paper to deter alterations.
Credit Card and Debit Card Security Tips
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Always keep your credit or debit card in a safe and secure place.
Treat it as you would cash or checks. Contact Bank of Glen Ullin
immediately at 1-800-659-0928 if your card is lost or stolen, or if
you suspect unauthorized use.
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Do not send your card number through email, as it is typically not
secure.
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Do not give out your card number over the phone unless you initiated
the call.
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Review account statements carefully. Ask about suspicious charges.
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Cancel and cut up unused credit and other cards.
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If you receive a replacement card, destroy your old card.
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When selecting a Personal Identification Number (PIN) don’t use any
number or word that appears in your wallet (such as name, birth
date, or phone number).
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Ensure no one sees your PIN when you enter it.
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Memorize your PIN. Don’t write it down anywhere, especially on your
card, and never share it with anyone.
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Shop with merchants you know and trust.
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Make sure any internet purchase activity you engage in is secured
with encryption to protect your account information. Look for
“secure transaction” symbols like a lock symbol in the lower
right-hand corner of your web browser window, or “https://…” in the
address bar of the website. The “s” indicates "secured" and means
the web page uses encryption.
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Always log off from any website after a purchase transaction made
with your credit or debit card. If you cannot log off, shut down
your browser to prevent unauthorized access to your account
information.
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Safe-keep or securely dispose of your transaction receipts.
When using
your card at an ATM:
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Be aware of your surroundings when withdrawing funds.
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Watch for suspicious persons or activity around the ATM. If you
notice anything out of the ordinary, come back later or use an ATM
elsewhere. If you observe suspicious persons or circumstances, do
not use the ATM at that time. If you are in the middle of a
transaction, cancel the transaction, take your card and leave the
area, and come back at another time or use an ATM at another
location.
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Report all crimes immediately to the operator of the ATM or local
law enforcement.
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Consider having someone accompany you when using an ATM after dark.
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Never allow a stranger to assist you with using an ATM.
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When using a drive-up ATM, keep your car doors locked and your
engine running.
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Ensure no one sees your PIN when you enter it.
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Refrain from displaying cash, and put it away as soon as your
transaction is completed. Wait to count your cash until you’re in
the safety of a locked enclosure, such as a car or home.
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Take your receipts with you so potential criminals will not know how
much you withdrew or how much money is in your account.
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After completing your transaction, remember to remove your card,
cash and any printed documents such as receipts or statements.
- Safe-keep or
securely dispose of your ATM receipts.
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General
Fraud Prevention Tips
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Follow these tips to help protect yourself from fraud.
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Carry only necessary
information with you. Leave your social security card and
unused credits cards at home in a safe and secure location.
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Make photocopies of vital
information you carry regularly and store them in a secure
place, such as a safety deposit box.
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Do not provide your Social
Security number unless absolutely necessary.
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Replace paper invoices,
statements and checks with electronic versions, if offered
by your employer, bank, utility provider or merchant.
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Shred documents containing
personal or financial information before discarding. Most
fraud and identity theft incidents happen as a result of
mail and garbage theft.
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Review your credit report at
least once a year, looking for suspicious or unknown
transactions. You can get a free credit report once a year
from each of the three major credit bureaus at
www.annualcreditreport.com. For a small fee you can
obtain a copy at any time directly from:
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Place outgoing mail in a
U.S. Postal Service mailbox to reduce the chance of mail
theft.
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Promptly retrieve incoming
mail to limit the opportunity for theft.
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Know your billing and
statement cycles. Contact the company’s customer service
department if you stop receiving your regular bill or
statement.
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Online, Mobile, Computer and Email Security Tips
Online Security Tips
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Avoid downloading programs from unknown sources.
- Do not use
your Social Security number as a username or password.
Change your usernames and passwords regularly and use
combinations of letters, numbers, and "special characters"
such as “pound” (#) and “at” (@) signs.
If your current Bank of Glen Ullin username or password is
your Social Security number, change it following these
directions:
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Sign in to an Online
Banking session
- Click
on the My
Preferences tab
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Click on
Change Username or
Change Password
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Protect your online passwords. Don’t write them down or
share them with anyone.
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Protect your answers to security questions. Select questions
and provide answers that are easy for you to remember, but
hard for anyone else to guess. Do not write down your
security questions or answers or share them with anyone. If
you have selected security questions on other websites,
avoid using the same questions to protect your Bank of Glen
Ullin online account. Please note that we will never ask you
to provide answers to your security questions via email.
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Use secure websites for transactions and shopping. Shop with
merchants you know and trust. Make sure internet purchases
are secured with encryption to protect your account
information. Look for “secure transaction” symbols like a
lock symbol in the lower right-hand corner of your web
browser window, or “https://…” in the address bar of the
website. The “s” indicates "secured" and means the web page
uses encryption.
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Always log off from any website after making a purchase with
your credit or debit card. If you cannot log off, shut down
your browser to prevent unauthorized access to your account
information.
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Close your browser when you’re not using the internet.
Mobile Banking Security Tips
When you use a mobile device (cellular phone, blackberry, etc.)
for browser or text-based account access, keep these tips in
mind:
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Use the keypad lock or phone lock function on your mobile
device when it is not in use. These functions
password-protect your device so that nobody else can use it
or view your information. Also be sure to store your device
in a secure location.
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Frequently delete text messages containing your account
information (including your account balance), and especially
before loaning out, discarding, or selling your mobile
device.
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Never disclose via text message any personal information
(account numbers, passwords, or any combination of sensitive
information like your social security number or birth date
that could be used in ID theft).
Computer Security Tips
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Keep your computer operating system up to date to ensure the
highest level of protection.
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Install a personal firewall on your computer.
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Install, run, and keep anti-virus software updated.
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Turn your computer off completely when you are finished
using it – don’t leave it in sleep mode.
- Conduct
online banking activities on secure computers only. Public
computers (computers at internet cafes, copy centers, etc.)
should be used with caution, due to shared use and possible
tampering. Online banking activities and viewing or
downloading documents (statements, etc.) should only be
conducted on a computer you know to be safe and secure.
Email Security Tips
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Be wary of suspicious emails. Never open attachments, click
on links, or respond to emails from suspicious or unknown
senders.
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If you receive a suspicious email that you think is a
phish
email,
do not respond or provide any information.
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