IDENTITY THEFT FRAUD & YOU!
How to Safeguard Yourself
TREAT UNSOLICITED OFFERS WITH SUSPICION
Contact the Bank of Brodhead if you receive a request or offer via email, pop-up message or phone that requires you to provide or confirm personal information. Bank of Brodhead will never call you to verify personal information that we currently have on file. Do not give your Social Security or account numbers to anyone over the phone unless you initiated the call.
MAKE PAYMENTS ELECTRONICALLY WHEN POSSIBLE
When making payments electronically this reduces the amount of paper floating around with your personal information on it.
SHOP CAREFULLY ONLINE
When initiating an online transaction that you must provide your personal information, beware of indicators that are not on the website making it a secure website. Web addresses that do not have the "https" in them or a padlock icon in the bottom frame of your browser are indicators that these website are not secure.
USE UPDATED ANTI-VIRUS SOFTWARE, ANTI-SPYWARE AND A FIREWALL
Protect your identity and your computer from phishing and pharming attacks. Protect your PINS and computer password; use a combination of letters and numbers and change them often. Never carry this information with you!
REVIEW ACCOUNT STATEMENTS REGULARLY
Check your bank and credit card statements regularly and look for unauthorized transactions, even small ones. Frequently checking your accounts online and verifying all transactions helps identify unauthorized activity between monthly statements.
REVIEW YOUR CREDIT REPORT EVERY YEAR
Order copies of your credit report once a year to ensure accuracy. Call any of the three national credit reporting agencies listed to the right or go to annualcreditreport.com to order your free credit report.
PROTECT YOUR PURSE OR WALLET
Lost or stolen belongings are the leading cause of identity theft. Empty your mailbox every day, mail left unattended tells the thief's you are not home. Shred any old documents, bank statements, credit card statements and anything with your name and address on it. Crooks could steal information from your trash and use it to get credit in your name.
CLOSE ACCOUNTS
Change existing passwords on accounts and close affected accounts immediately if you are a victim of identity theft. Report any suspected fraud to the Bank of Brodhead and credit card issuers immediately so they can start to close accounts and clear your name right away. You may also contact the FTC's ID Theft Consumer Response Center toll free at (877) IDTHEFT.
Pick up a brochure at the Bank of Brodhead for more information on Identity Theft Fraud and You!