FRAUD PROTECTION

Get the Card Suite Lite app today!

Fraud Prevention Tips

Identity protection

• Store your Social Security card, financial documents, and unused credit cards in a secure location.
• Never provide payment or sensitive information on a call that you did not initiate.
• Do not send any personal or sensitive information through email, as the channel is typically not secure.
• Shred documents that contain personal or financial information before discarding.
  
  

Account and card security

• Report lost or stolen checks and debit or credit cards immediately.
• Monitor your transactions online regularly and report suspicious charges promptly. Consider paperless options for your bill and financial statements.
• Set up account alerts so you will be notified of withdrawals and deposits to your account and suspicious card activity.
• Limit the amount of information printed on your checks to your name and address.
• Always keep your debit and credit cards in a safe and secure place.
• Do not give out your card number over the phone unless you initiated the call using the phone number on the back of your card or the company’s website.
• If you receive a replacement debit or credit card, cut up and discard your old card.
  
  

ATM PIN protection

• When selecting a Personal Identification Number (PIN), do not use a number or word that appears in your wallet, such as name, birth date, or phone number.
• Cover the keypad while entering your PIN at an ATM, grocery store, or any other location.
• Do not write your PIN anywhere, especially on your card, and never share it with anyone.
• Safely store or securely dispose of your transaction receipts.

Protect yourself online

Online security

• Use a unique username and password for your online accounts, update them regularly, and do not use any part of your email address or any personal data as your username or password.
• Protect your online passwords. Don’t write them down or share them with anyone.
• When shopping online, use secure websites to make purchases. Look for secure transaction signs such as a closed-lock icon and “https://...” in the address bar.
• Don’t overshare on social media by providing information used by your bank or other companies to verify your identity.
• Always sign off from any website after a purchase transaction is made with your credit or debit card. If you cannot sign off, close your browser to help prevent unauthorized access to your account information.
• Review the privacy options for the social media platforms you join to understand how to limit the amount of information you share.
  
  

Email security

• Protect your email passwords. If scammers gain access to your email account, they can reset your passwords for other financial websites, locking you out of your own account.
• Do not immediately open email attachments or click on links in unsolicited or suspicious-looking emails.
  
  

Online document storage (Cloud)

• Before saving financial documents to a third-party online document storage service, carefully review the provider’s security and privacy settings and terms of service. Peoples Bank and Trust cannot ensure the security of your information after you download it from our website or our servers.
• Do not store your information on websites that lack security features such as a required sign-on, data encryption, https, etc.

Protect your devices

Device security

• Safeguard your devices to help protect your accounts. Use the security functions that come with your device, such as the keypad lock or desktop password screen savers when it is not in use.
• Do not access your financial accounts through public Wi-Fi networks, such as in a coffee shop or library.
• Delete text messages from your financial institution before loaning out your device. Wipe your device before discarding or selling it..
• Avoid storing your banking password or other sensitive information on your computer, smartphone, or in an app where it could be discovered if your device is stolen.
• When you finish banking online or on your mobile device, always sign off - do not simply close the browser or app.
• Do not alter or "jail break" your mobile device. This may make your device vulnerable to malicious software.
• Avoid downloading programs and apps from unknown sources. Download programs and applications from a trusted source, like your phone’s app store or the manufacturer’s website.
• Keep security patches, anti-virus and malware software and plugins up to date for your devices.
• Configure your devices to prevent unauthorized users from remotely accessing your devices or home network. For example, if you use a wireless router for your home internet connection, follow the manufacturer’s recommendations to configure the router with appropriate security settings.
  
  

In summary

Understand the threats. Fraudsters use several forms of impersonation, advance fee, and phishing schemes. They might contact you and claim to be from SSA, the IRS, or another government agency and request your information. They might claim that you have won the lottery or become eligible for an investment if you pay an upfront fee. They might design emails or text messages that look legitimate and request your immediate response. Be aware of these types of schemes, so you can identify them and guard against them.

Exercise caution. In general, no government agency or reputable company will solicit your personal information over the phone or by email, or request advance fees for services in the form of wire transfers or gift cards. Build a habit of verifying the identity of anyone who asks for your personal information over the phone, and say you will respond through the entity's customer service channels. If anyone pressures you to provide information or money over the phone, just hang up.

Secure your information. Store your personal information in a secure location; Shred documents that list personal information such as your Social Security number and banking information. Avoid opening emails from unknown sources or clicking on suspicious hyperlinks. Equip your computing devices with strong anti-virus software and maintain strong passwords. Regularly check your credit reports for suspicious activity.