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Frequently Asked Questions
GENERAL
How can I be proactive in protecting my
privacy?
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Read all of your statements carefully
keeping a close eye on anything that looks suspicious.
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Keep all of your statements in a safe
place.
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You can receive a free credit report
once a year. Check to make sure all information is accurate
and any accounts you have closed are reflected on your report.
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Never provide any account information
over the phone or online, unless you have initiated the process.
Is online banking safe despite all the
online scams?
Online banking is an efficient and safe way
to handle your money. However, you must be cautious when viewing your accounts. If you are using a public
computer such as a library or school PC, make sure you are COMPLETELY
logged out of your online banking session when you are done. Most
importantly, confirm that the site
you are on is secure. This can be easily identified by the yellow lock
in the bottom right hand corner of your browser window. You can
also identify a secure site by the "https:" at the beginning of the web
address.
EMAIL FRAUD
What is phishing?
Phishing involves bogus email messages that
use legitimate materials, such as a company's website logo, to entice
email recipients to provide personal information such as credit card and
social security numbers.
How do I recognize email fraud?
It is almost impossible to visually identify
a phony email. People who create fraudulent sites usually steal corporate logos and graphics to
trick their prey. The only way to protect yourself is to never
respond to an unsolicited email that asks for detailed personal or
financial information.
How do I report suspicious email?
You can contact the Internet Crime Complaint
Center at
http://www.ic3.gov/.
The ICCC is a partnership between the FBI and the National White Collar
Crime Center. Do NOT reply or give any information if you
believe this is a "phished" email.
Can I get a virus or "Trojan Horse" from
phished emails?
Yes. "Smart Hackers" can install programs called "key generators"
that secretly install on your computer without your knowledge.
These programs can capture your credit card numbers, user names and
passwords, and Social Security Numbers.
How can I avoid "key generators" being
downloaded on my PC?
Here are some tips to minimize the risk.
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Change your passwords regularly.
It is recommended that you change them every 30 days.
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Install anti-virus,
anti-spyware,
and personal firewall software.
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Update your virus software. Just
because you have it installed does not mean it will protect your PC.
Contact the manufacturer to determine the most efficient way to keep
your virus definitions up-to-date.
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Last but not least... KEEP YOUR GUARD UP!
TheBANK of Edwardsville will NEVER email you to
verify financial information.
If you receive a phone call or email for such reason,
give TheBANK's
Security Department a call at 618/659-4430 or 618/659-4410.
CREDIT CARD FRAUD
How do I protect my credit/debit card?
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Make sure your financial institution and
TheBANK has your current phone number so you can be reached if there has
been a suspicious pattern of charges on your card.
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Keep a record of your last five transactions in
the event you're asked about them.
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If you are notified about suspicious
activity on your account, give no information over the phone or
internet. Take the representative's name and call back using the
number on the back of your credit/debit card.
Who do I contact if there is fraudulent
activity on my credit/debit card?
Call the phone number located on the back of
your credit card to report any suspicious activity.
If you believe your debit card
or PIN has been lost of stolen, or that someone has transferred money or
may transfer money from your account without your permission, notify
TheBANK's Card Services Department immediately at 618-656-0012.
**If you tell us within
two business days, you can lose no more than $50 if someone uses your card or
PIN without your permission.
If your statement shows transfers that you
did not make, call TheBANK at once. If you do not tell us within
60 days after the statement was mailed to you, you may not get back any
money you lost.
CHECK SCAMS
How do I know if a check is fraudulent?
There is no easy way of detecting if a check
is fraudulent. If someone over pays you with a check and asks you
to deposit the check into your checking/savings account then wire them
the difference, it is a great possibility that it is a fraudulent check.
How can I avoid being a victim of check
scams?
Before depositing the check, you can bring
it into any of TheBANK's locations and have a Customer Service Representative
contact the financial institution that the check was drawn on. If
the check is from a fraudulent account, you or the CSR can contact Nancy Thornburgh with
TheBANK's Security Department at
618/659-4410 or Cindy Ray at 618/659-4430.
Who is responsible for the loss to my
account?
TheBANK's employees have no way of
determining a fraudulent check that looks legitimate. You are
responsible for the items you deposit into your account.
How can I tell if I maybe involved in a
fraud or a scam?
If you can answer "yes" to any of the
following questions you may be involved with a scam or fraud.
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Is the CHECK from an item
you sold on the Internet, such as a car, boat, jewelry, ect?
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Is the amount of the CHECK
more than the item's selling price?
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Did you receive the CHECK
via an overnight delivery service?
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Is the CHECK connected to
communications with someone by email?
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Is the CHECK drawn on a
business or individual account that is different from
the person buying your item or product?
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Have you been informed that
you were the winner of a LOTTERY, such as Canadian,
Australian, El Gordo, or El Mundo, that you did not
enter?
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Have you been instructed to
either "WIRE", "SEND" OR "SHIP", "MONEY", as soon as
possible, to a large U.S. city or to another country,
such as Canada, England, or Nigeria?
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Have you been asked to PAY
money to receive a deposit from another country such as
Canadian, England, or Nigeria?
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Are you receiving PAY or
COMMISSION for facilitating money transfers through your
account?
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Did you respond to an email
requesting you to CONFIRM, UPDATE, OR PROVIDE your
account information?
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Please contact our Fraud/Security Department
directly by calling Cindy Ray at
618.659.4430 or Nancy Thornburgh at 618.659.4410.
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