Following are several tips to help you prevent fraud on your accounts:
- As stated by the Federal Trade Commission, phishing is "when internet fraudsters impersonate a business to trick you into giving out your personal information. Don't reply to email, text, or pop-up messages that ask for your personal or financial information. Don’t click on links within them either – even if the message seems to be from an organization you trust. It isn’t. Legitimate businesses don’t ask you to send sensitive information through insecure channels. For more information on phishing visit https://www.consumer.ftc.gov/articles/0003-phishing.
- Enroll in smsGuardian, our text alert service. If you have a State Bank of Bement VISA QuikChek Card, utilize smsGuardian, our Check Card Transaction alert system. smsGuardian will send you a text every time your check card is used. Click here for more information on how to enroll.
- Safeguard your information and shred any documents with personal information.
- Don’t give out personal information over the phone, through the mail, or over the Internet unless you know who you are dealing with.
- Protect your Social Security number. Don’t carry your Social Security card in your wallet or write your Social Security number on a check. Only give it out when absolutely necessary or ask to use another identifier.
- Inspect your credit report and financial statements for charges you did not make. Visit www.AnnualCreditReport.com or call 1-877-322-8228 to order a free credit report each year.
- To place a fraud alert on your credit reports, call one of the three nationwide consumer reporting agencies
- Equifax: 1-800-525-6285
- Experian: 1-888-EXPERIAN (397-3742)
- TransUnion: 1-800-680-7289
- Should you have fraud on any accounts, close the account(s) and follow up in writing with copies of supporting documents. Ask for verification that the disputed account has been closed and the fraudulent debts discharged keep copies of documents and records of your conversations about the theft.
- File a police report with law enforcement officials to help you with creditors who may want proof of the crime.
- To learn more or to report theft to the Federal Trade Commission online at ftc.gov/idtheft, by phone at 1-877-ID-THEFT (438-4338), or 1-866-653-4261, or by mail at Identity Theft Clearinghouse, Federal Trade Commission, Washington, DC 20580.