Identity Theft
Identity theft involves stealing personal information – like SSNs, names, or financial data – to commit fraud, such as opening accounts, stealing tax refunds, or accessing medical care. Protecting your identity is more important today than ever! Read more to learn about Identity Theft and how to protect yourself from becoming an Identity Theft victim.
You Have An Important Role
While the Bank of Calhoun County works to protect your banking privacy, you also play an important role in protecting your information.
We will NEVER email, text, or otherwise contact you and ask for your username, password, account number, social security number, or other personal information. If you should receive a call, email, or text asking for this information, do not respond. Please let us know immediately by calling us at 618-576-2211.
Here are a few tips to help protect yourself from fraud and identity theft.
Consumer Tips:
Credit Report
Every consumer in the United States can obtain one free credit report every 12 months from each of the three major credit bureaus: Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion. Credit scores are not included in the free report, but they can be purchased from the credit bureaus for a fee. Experts strongly recommend that consumers obtain their free credit reports each year to help detect identity theft. Visit annualcreditreport.com or call 1-877-322-8228 for more information.
Be Protective!
Do not provide your Social Security number, account information, PIN number ,or passwords to anyone who contacts you online or over the phone.
Shred!
Shred receipts, bank statements, and unused credit card offers before throwing them away.
Watch Your Accounts
Monitor your accounts by keeping track of tansactions on your accounts and logging into your online banking.
Keep An Eye On Your Statements
Examine your bank statements immediately upon receiving to determine whether there were any unauthorized transactions. Report any unauthorized transactions that you find immediately to us.
Call Us!
Never respond to any phone calls, emails, or tects that you did not initiate. If you are in doubt, call us to verify!
Verify!
If you ever believe or doubt that you are not talking to a representative of a legitimate company, hang up and call the number in the telephone book or the number that is found on a previous bill to confirm.
Computer Security Tips:
High Security Passwords
Use a combination of letters and numbers for your passwords and change them periodically to help prevent unauthorized access.
Don't Reuse
Do not reuse passwords that you have used on other accounts or in the past.
Use 2FA (2-Factor Authentication)
When it is available, always enable and use 2FA with your logins.
Virus Scanning
Make sure that virus protection software on your computer is active and up to date.
Secure Browsing
Always look for an "S" after the "http" when you visit a website to make sure the site you are on is secure. If you do not see "https" or your browser gives you a security alert, do not accept any prompts from the site or purchase anything.
Be Wary
Never allow someone to remotely login to your computer. Scammers try to trick people into clicking links that will download viruses, spyware, and other unwanted software.
Don't Click Popups
Do not click on pop-ups or ads about your computer's performance. Scammers insert unwanted software into a pop-up message or ads that warn that your computer's security or performance is compromised.
Lock Up!
Use the passcode lock on your smartphone and other devices. This will make it more difficult for thieves to access your information if your device is ever lost or stolen.
Be Careful With Downloads
Use caution when downloading apps a they may contain malware!
Email Attachments
Avoid opening links and attachments, especially from senders you do not know.
Stay Up-to-Date
Update your comptuer operating system and web browsers on a regular basis to keep them current with the latest security updates.
Use The "X"
Close pop-up ads by clicking on the "X" instead of clicking within the advertisement itself.
Watch The Warnings
Pay attention to your browser's security warnings. Many browsers come with built-in security scanners that warn you before you visit an infected webpage or download a malicious file.