ONLINE BANKING > Privacy and Security > Security Tips

Personal Information Protection

• Carry only necessary identification. Do not carry your Social Security card with you.
• Make copies of all the information that you carry daily, such as credit or debit cards, driver’s license, and insurance cards, and keep the copies in a secure place.
• Be cautious when providing your Social Security number. Verify every time you provide it whether it is needed for the application or transaction.
• Be cautious of telephone and door-to-door solicitations.
• Never provide personal information unless you have initiated the contact and have confirmed the business or person’s identity.
• Confirm the validity of all requests for sensitive personal, financial, or account information, particularly if they are made with an urgent or threatening tone.
• Opt out of all pre-approved credit card offers.
• Don’t leave personal information in your car. It’s even more valuable than your stereo sound system.
• Shred unnecessary financial documents immediately. Discard unused instant credit offers, ensuring that they are properly shredded.
• Eliminate as much paper as possible, and be cautious with the paper you receive.
• Take steps to reduce the amount of mail you receive that display personal information.
• Collect your mail promptly. Use U.S. Postal Service mailboxes for outgoing mail when possible.
• Monitor all of your banking and credit card accounts regularly.
• Check your credit report annually. You can order a free credit report once a year from each of the three major credit bureaus at Annual Credit Report Request Service: www.annualcreditreport.com. For a fee you can obtain a copy at any time directly from the credit bureaus.

Check these resources for more information on identity theft and your credit report:

• Annual Credit Report Request Service: www.annualcreditreport.com
  P. O. Box 105281, Atlanta, GA 30348-5281
  (877) 322-8228
• The Federal Trade Commission (FTC): www.ftc.gov/bcp/edu/microsites/idtheft
  (877) IDTHEFT
• Equifax: www.equifax.com (800) 525-6285
• Experian: www.experian.com (888) 397-3742
• TransUnion: www.transunion.com (800) 680-7289

Personal Computer Usage

• Use a current web browser. Newer browsers are being deployed with your security in mind.
• Install all security updates offered by your software provider(s).
• Install a personal firewall on your computer.
• Protect your computer against viruses and spyware by using anti-spyware software, anti-virus software, and turn on automatic upgrades.
• Scan your computer regularly for both spyware and viruses.
• Avoid downloading programs from unknown sources. Some sources may have hidden forms of spyware or viruses that could compromise the security of your computer.
• You can verify secure sites by “double-clicking” on the padlock icon located at the bottom of your browser application and reading the site information in the box that appears.
• Activate a pop-up blocker.
• Leave suspicious sites. If a Website does not appear to be what you expected it to be, leave immediately.
• When your computer is not in use, shut it down or disconnect it from the Internet.
• Be vigilant in your online activities. Always keep in mind that forging emails and creating fraudulent Websites are not difficult.
• Confirm the validity of all requests for sensitive personal, financial, or account information, particularly if they are made with an urgent or threatening tone.
• Read and familiarize yourself with the Privacy Policies and legal disclosures of software providers.
• Always sign off from your Online Banking session.

Email

• DO NOT include, in any email, confidential personal information such as your Social Security number, date of birth, driver’s license number, or confidential account information such as your account number, credit card number, debit card number, loan number, user code, PIN, or password.
• Question suspicious emails. We will never send you an email asking for your personal information, online ID or password.
• If you receive an email that appears to be suspicious, do not reply to it or click on the link it provides. Simply delete it.
• If you think you may have provided personal or account information in response to a fraudulent email or Website, report the fraud immediately, change your passwords, monitor your account activities frequently, and/or close your account and open a new one.
• Avoid clicking on links provided in emails. It is always better to type the Web address into your browser.
• Open email attachments only if you know the sender. It is best to scan attachments with your anti-virus software prior to opening.
• Most computer files have filename extensions, such as “.doc” for documents or “.jpg” for images. Any file that appears to have a double extension, like “heythere.doc.pif” is extremely likely to be a dangerous file and should never be opened.
• Never open email attachments that have file endings of .exe, .pif, or .vbs. These are file extensions for executables, and are commonly dangerous files.
• Be careful and selective before providing your email address to a questionable Website. Sharing your email address makes you more likely to receive fraudulent emails.
• Confirm the validity of all requests for sensitive personal, financial, or account information, particularly if they are made with an urgent or threatening tone.
• Confirm requests for personal or account information by going to the company’s Website directly. Open a new browser window, type the Web address, and check to see if you must actually perform any activity that an email may be asking you to do, such as change a password.

Password and PIN

• Choose passwords and personal identification numbers (PINs) that are difficult for others to guess (such as a combination of numeric, alpha, and special characters).
• Use a different password for each of your online accounts.
• Do not share your IDs, passwords, or PINs with anyone.
• Change your passwords often.
• Try not to use personal information in your passwords or PINs. Passwords that contain information such as your name, date of birth, or telephone number are not as secure as those with a combination of randomly selected characters.

Credit or Debit Card

• Never carry your credit or debit card personal identification number (PIN) with you. Memorize it, or keep the number in a safe place.
• Make copies of all the card information that you carry daily and keep them in a secure place.
• Review your monthly credit card and bank account statements thoroughly. Investigate suspicious items immediately to fence off any possible fraud before it occurs.
• Report lost or stolen cards immediately.
• Sign your card immediately.
• Always be sure to retrieve both your card and receipt after every transaction.
• Never lend your card to others.
• Keep all your receipts and statements in a safe place.
• Only give your card number over the phone if you have initiated the contact.
• Review your account statements to be sure that the accurate amounts have been charged.

Checking and Savings

• Have paychecks and other recurring credits deposited directly to your account with no more worrying about lost or stolen checks.
• Never have your Social Security number, driver’s license number, or telephone number printed on your checks.
• Protect yourself against fraud by using checks printed on paper with special security features.
• Store new and cancelled checks securely.
• Report lost or stolen checks immediately. Close the account and open a new one.
• Be aware of the check numbers that you are using. By using these numbers in sequence you can more easily recognize potential identity fraud.

ATM

• Use ATMs with surveillance cameras.
• Shield the ATM keypad with your hand or body while entering you PIN.
• If you notice anything suspicious or that seems unsafe, such as the lighting around the ATM not working, use another ATM or return later.
• Report lost or stolen ATM or debit cards immediately.
• Immediately put away your card or cash before exiting the ATM area. Count your cash later, in the safety of your locked car or home.
• Be aware of your surroundings and nearby strangers, especially after dark. If you must use an ATM at night, consider taking someone with you.
• Never leave your transaction statement behind.
• Treat your ATM or debit card like cash.
• If you use a drive-up ATM, make sure all doors are locked and all other windows are rolled up.