Fraud Prevention Tips

Fraud Prevention Tips

There are millions of customers who fall victim to fraud annually in the United States. Anyone with a bank account must take additional precautions to protect and secure their personal information. Guarding yourself from fraudsters requires minimal time and can be easier than you think. Here are some simple ways to secure your bank account and help prevent fraud.

• Check your account activity regularly. View your account and make sure there are no unexpected transactions. Report any discrepancies to your financial institution immediately.
  
• Do not give out account information over the phone or through email. Your bank WILL NOT call you or email you requesting your account number, PIN or password.
  
• Do not click links embedded in emails.
  
• Keep your PIN and passwords secret. Do not give them out to anyone, and never write them down on paper, in an email, or in a text message.
  
• Use a strong password for online banking. When possible, use lower case, upper case, special characters and numbers.
  
• Change passwords frequently. Get a new password every few months and do not reuse the same password on multiple platforms.
  
• Use anti-virus protection software and keep your device updated with the most recent security patches.
  
• Do not use public Wi-Fi or public computers for online banking.
  
• Report lost or stolen debit cards immediately.
  
• Be aware of your surroundings at ATM machines and watch for skimming devices. Always take your ATM receipts with you.
  
• Shred documents and old checks and bank statements. Anything with account information should be destroyed beyond recognition.
  
• Minimize check writing: Checks display a lot of personal information, including your phone number, address, bank, account number and signature. If you are going to write a check, use permanent ink and do not leave any blank spaces on your check.