Account Security

• Protect Yourself From Identity Theft/Fraud
• What To Do If You're A Victim Of Identity Theft
• Account Hijacking
• Be Aware of Counterfeiters
• Fraud Alert
• Additional Account Fraud/Scams
• Protecting Yourself
• ATM & Debit Card Safety
    

Protect Yourself From Identity Fraud

According to the Federal Trade Commission, one in five Americans has experienced identity theft in the past five years. Typically a thief or con artist steals your identity and then uses it to run up debts or take over your existing financial accounts. In effect, they become “you” and they go on a spending spree with your money.

Tips to defend yourself against identity theft:

• Don’t give out your credit card numbers, Social Security number or other personal identification information on the phone or online – unless you initiate the contact.
• Consider opting out of pre-approved credit card offers and insurance offers at (888) 567-8688.
• Watch anyone who handles your credit card. Make sure they swipe it only once. Never let your card out of sight. In restaurants, pay at the wait station.
• In your wallet, carry one credit card and one debit card. Leave your credit cards that you use infrequently at home in a safe place. Also, don’t carry your Social Security card or other information that displays personal information in your wallet.
• DO make copy of your credit cards, driver’s license (front and back) and other important information. Place those copies in a safe place such as a safe deposit box. Listed on credit cards are important phone numbers that you may need if your wallet is stolen.
• If possible, promptly remove your incoming mail from your mailbox each day.
• Open all your mail each day. You may think it’s junk mail, but some may be credit card bills that someone else applied for in your name and could tip you off of ID theft.
• Keep track of your mail – notice if a bill or statement doesn’t come one month.
• Be sure to review your credit card bill and bank statements each time you receive them. Look for and report any charges that you did not authorize. Report any discrepancies to your bank.
• Drop off all credit card statements and any mail with personal information in a blue US Postal Service Mailbox or go to the post office to mail that personal information.
• Shred ATM receipts, credit card slips, bank statements or loan checks before you throw them in the trash.
• Monitor your credit history by obtaining a free credit report from each of the three credit reporting agencies: Equifax, Experian and TransUnion. Each person is allowed one free report in a 12-month period. You can request your free credit report online or by calling toll-free to (877) 322-8228.

At Evergreen State Bank, we have installed a number of safeguards to protect your money and your account information. You can protect yourself and your money by following the guidelines shown above.

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What to do if you are a Victim of Identity Theft

You may be a victim if you experience these warning signs:

• You begin receiving bills or credit card statements showing purchases you know nothing about.
• You begin receiving calls from businesses or collection agencies about outstanding bills or accounts with a past due balance.

Place a Fraud Alert on your credit file. Fraud Alerts prevent anyone from opening new accounts or obtaining credit without your approval. You can place an Initial Alert which will be active on your credit report for 90 days. Use this if someone has gained access to personal information that could be used to open accounts in your name. Examples include your social security number and your date of birth. You can also place an Extended Alert on your credit file. Your file will remain guarded for seven years with an Extended Alert. This is recommended if your identity has been stolen. To place a Fraud Alert, contact one of the credit reporting agencies because the other two will be automatically notified:

Equifax
Order a Credit Report: (800) 685-1111
Report Fraud: (800) 525-6285
www.equifax.com

Experian
Order a Credit Report: (888) 397-3742
Report Fraud: (888) 397-3742
www.experian.com

TransUnion
Order a Credit Report: (800) 888-4213
Report Fraud: (800) 680-7289
www.transunion.com

To remove a Fraud Alert you will need to send requests in writing to one of the credit reporting agencies.

Be sure to report any suspicious activity or individuals to your local law enforcement officials. There are times you have to prove you’re a victim. Also report the crime to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) at (877) IDTHEFT or online. The FTC collects complaints and provides information on ways to resolve problems resulting from identity theft. Register your complaint online with the Wisconsin Office of Privacy Protection or by calling (800) 422-7128.

By law, you are only liable for the first $50 of unauthorized charges against a credit card – but restoring your credit can be a tremendous inconvenience. Contact your credit card companies and close those accounts. Explain you’re a victim of identity theft so it’s on your record and so they know you’re not closing the accounts because of bad credit, etc. Follow up with a certified letter.

• Report stolen mail to the US Postal Inspection online or by calling (312) 983-7900.
• Report a stolen Social Security number to your local social security office:
  Dane County: (608) 270-1141
  Rock County: (608) 752-1399
• Report a stolen driver’s license to your local Department of Motor Vehicles or click here for more information.
  

Account Hijacking

Account Hijacking is the fastest growing form of identity theft. Over 2 million people were victimized last year alone. Account Hijacking occurs when criminal obtains your personal banking information and uses it to take over your bank accounts. It can take weeks or months to discover it. Fortunately, there are steps you can take to protect yourself.

Hijacking by Phishing

This type of account hijacking deceives customers into providing their user names, passwords, and account numbers via deceptive e-mails, fake websites, or both. The classic phishing attack involves a deceptive e-mail that purports to be from a legitimate financial institution. The e-mail typically tells the customer that there is some sort of problem with the customer’s account, and instructs the recipient to click on the included hyperlink to “fix” the problem. In reality, the customer spoofed website is simply collecting customer user names and passwords in the order to hijack accounts.

It is the policy of Evergreen State Bank not to send unsolicited emails to you asking for your account information. If you receive such emails they are likely phishing attempts to gain access to your account information. You should report this type of email activity to Evergreen State Bank immediately at 800-863-2265 or by calling an Evergreen State Bank office nearest you.

Hijacking by Spyware

This type of account hijacking works by inserting malicious software, often referred to as “spyware” on a person’s personal computer. Spyware can be loaded when a user opens a seemingly innocuous e-mail attachment or clicks on a pop-up advertisement. The spyware collects selected information (e.g. user names, passwords, and account numbers) and forwards that information to the fraudster.

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Be Aware of Counterfeiters

Counterfeit Cashier's Checks & Money Orders

Cashier’s check fraud is prevalent in online auction sites, chat rooms, and in classified ads. In a typical scenario, a seller advertises an item on the internet and a buyer usually in another country agrees to buy the item with a cashier’s check or money order. When payment is arranged the buyer mentions that there is someone in the United States who owes them money. The person who owes the buyer money then offers to send a cashiers check for an amount over the purchase price and asks you to wire back the difference. You agree because they offer a small dollar amount for brokering the deal. You receive the check, deposit it, and wire the leftover sum to the buyer. Days later the bank informs you that the cashier’s check was fraudulent and that you are responsible for any money drawn on that check. You have now lost your money and merchandise to a scam. No legitimate company will offer to pay you for arranging to send you a check and ask to have money sent back.

What You Should Know

• If you accept a counterfeit cashier’s check or money order you are responsible – not the institution or entity whose name is on the phony document and not our bank. 
• Once you cash or deposit the cashier’s check or money order our bank is required by law to make these funds available to you within a specified number of days outlined in our Funds Availability Policy.  The funds may be available to you but that doesn’t mean the issuing bank has determined it’s counterfeit.  Banks can take up to 10 Business days or longer to determine if a check is counterfeit.
• We may in our sole discretion refuse to accept particular instruments as deposits.
• Con artists are also issuing “authorization letters” advising a financial institution that the check or money order is legitimate.  Don’t believe it – the letter is also fake.  Financial institutions and the United States Postal Service do not send authorization letters.

What can you do

• If you don’t know the person involved, avoid situations where someone is asking you to wire them money.  Use caution when dealing with foreign buyers and sellers. Be especially careful of e-mails from overseas.  Law enforcement officials often find it difficult, if not impossible, to identify and prosecute the perpetrator of the crime.
• To check the validity of a cashier’s check or money order, don’t call the number on the check – that may be a phony as well.  Typically legitimate financial institutions do not print their telephone number on cashier’s checks and money orders.  Contact the issuing bank or entity before cashing or depositing the check by checking an independent white page service or contacting your telephone company’s directory assistance. 
• For additional information visit the FBI website and the National Consumers League website.

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Fraud Alert

Are you involved in a fraud or scam?  Questions you should ask yourself while making a financial transaction to make sure you’re not involved in a fraud or scam.

• Have you been asked to wire funds within or out of the country?
• Are you receiving payment for completing money transfers?
• Does this transaction involve the internet or a communication by email?
• Have you been informed that you have won money in a lottery?
• Have you received a cashier’s check from an item you sold on the internet or in person?
• Have you had contact with or from a bank officer or examiner?
• Are you withdrawing to provide a stranger with “good faith” money?
• Has someone promised to redeposit this money for you?
• Has an official person asked you to withdraw this money in cash?

If the answer to any of the above questions is YES, YOU may be a VICTIM of a FRAUD or SCAM and YOU will be responsible for the funds you withdraw.  Immediately contact your bank or your local police department. 

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Additional Account Fraud/Scams

Debit Card Fraud

Debit cards are popular because they are easy to use and are very convenient. Debit cards offer the convenience of easily getting cash and “pay-as-you-go” purchasing. Unfortunately this same convenience can turn a debit card into a blank check in the hands of fraudsters and enables them to empty an account before the victim realizes the card is missing. In fact, the card is not even necessary. With just a name and a card number, fraudsters can clean an account while the card is still in your pocket.

A new threat linked to debit cards is called “skimming.” With this fraud, thieves set up a device that captures the debit card magnetic stripe and keypad information from ATM machines and gas pumps.

Your Defense

• Do NOT keep your PIN with your card.
• Be careful when using the card that no one is watching.
• Look for possible fraudulent devices attached to the ATM. If the ATM looks suspicious, consider that it may be a skimming device and go to another location.
• Notify Evergreen State Bank of any suspicious activity on your account immediately.

Advance Fee Loan Scams

Jury Duty Scams

The newest form of identity theft is targeting an American obligation, jury duty. Scammers pretend to be court officials taking victims' private information over the phone. Scammers call their victims at home claiming to be a jury coordinator. They say that you didn't show up for jury duty and a warrant has been issued for your arrest. When you say you didn't get a summons they ask for your Social Security number and date of birth to verify their information, and that's where they get you.

Jury coordinators say they never call and ask anyone for their Social Security number, date of birth, or other personal information. They only communicate with potential jurors by mail, not by phone. That includes no-shows. In rare cases jury coordinators do make phone calls, but only at a judge's request, and the coordinator will never ask for personal information. Your best defense is to not provide any personal or banking information unless you know exactly who you are speaking with.

Protecting Yourself

• Password Protections - If your password is easy for you to remember, the chances are good it is also easy for an Internet hacker to figure out. Experts advise a combination of letters and numbers… and avoiding pet names, your home address, and similar easy-to-crack codes.
• Virus Vaccines - Your computer’s anti-virus software is like a vaccine – it works at first, but you need to keep it up-to-date to guard against new strains.
• Zap the Spyware - Anti-spyware programs are readily available, and every computer connected to the Internet should have the software installed… and updated regularly.
• No "Phishing" Allowed - If you receive an unexpected email, or one that you consider suspicious, delete it. Remember: your bank will never email you and ask you to go to another site to “verify information.”
• Bank Statements - Check your statements regularly. If something seems irregular, contact your bank to discuss it. A recent study showed that customers who monitor their accounts online discover any problems sooner.
• Credit Reports - Check your credit reports at least annually. You are entitled to one free credit report annually from each of the three major credit bureaus. If a hijacker is misusing your credit, clues are likely to show up here.

ATM & Debit Card Safety

Safety Tips

• Treat your card like cash. Keep it in a safe place.
• Keep your personal identification number (PIN) a secret.
• Do not disclose card information over the phone to anyone. No one needs to know your PIN, not even your financial institution.
• Never disclose information about your card in response to an unsolicited e-mail or request.
• Make certain your Internet shopping sites are secure.
• Protect your card's magnetic stripe. Do not expose your card's magnetic stripe to magnetic objects.
• Report a lost or stolen card at once.
• Carefully review your account statements.

ATM Safety

• Observe the ATM surroundings before approaching a walk-up ATM. If anyone or anything appears to be suspicious, cancel your transaction and leave the area at once.
• If an ATM is obstructed from view or poorly lit, go to another ATM. It is a good idea to take along a companion when using an ATM, especially at night.
• Minimize time spent at the ATM by having your card out and ready to use. Do not let anyone see how much money you withdrew, and never count your money at the ATM.
• Never allow a stranger to assist you in conducting an ATM transaction, even if you have trouble or if your card is stuck.
• Stand between the ATM and anyone waiting to use the terminal so that others cannot see your PIN or transaction amount.
• Look for possible fraudulent devices attached to the ATM. If the ATM looks different or appears to have any alterations or attachments to the card slot or PIN pad, do not use it.

Drive-Up ATM Safety

• Keep the doors locked, windows up and engine running at all times when waiting in line.
• Leave enough room between cars to allow for a quick exit should it become necessary.
• Before lowering the window to use a drive-up ATM, observe the entire surrounding area. If anyone or anything appears to be suspicious, cancel your transaction and drive away at once.
• Minimize time spent at the ATM by having your card out and ready to use. Once your transaction is complete, take your money, card and receipt and immediately drive away from the terminal.
• If anyone follows you after you have completed your ATM transaction, go immediately to a crowded, well-lit area and call the police.

PIN Debit Safety

• Never allow the cashier or anyone else to enter your PIN for you, even if they are assisting you with the transaction.
• Block the view of others when using a POS terminal.
• Be sure the transaction is complete and you have received a receipt before leaving.
• If you received cash back, put it away before leaving the terminal.
• When using an outdoor POS terminal such as at a gas station, observe your surroundings before making a transaction. If anything looks suspicious, leave the area at once.
• It is a good idea to take someone with you when using an outdoor POS terminal at night.
• If anyone follows you after you have completed your POS transaction, go immediately to a crowded, well-lit area and call the police.