| Internet Banking Tips: | | | | account daily and follow-up on any questionable |
| Protect your accounts by keeping your password | | | | charges. Even small charges could signal identity |
| and pin number secure. Do not give your | | | | theft. If your bills do not arrive on time or you |
| information to anyone, even someone claiming to | | | | begin receiving information on credit card accounts |
| work at a bank. Banks do not ask for your | | | | you do not have, check your credit report. |
| personal information over the phone, and there is | | | | Your credit report will inform you of any |
| no reason to verify your pin. You should also | | | | unauthorized accounts and help you determine |
| change your password periodically in order to | | | | whether or not you are a victim of identity theft. |
| make it more difficult for people to steal. | | | | You should also check your credit report if you |
| Be careful when you log on to your account. Use | | | | are denied credit for any reason or you receive |
| your home computer and keep the spyware and | | | | calls or letters from debt collectors for debt you |
| antivirus software current. Spyware and firewalls | | | | are not aware of. |
| can help protect your computer from hackers | | | | Bank Security: |
| and keep your account safe. Password protect | | | | Before opening a bank account, check the bank's |
| your personal internet connection. Many people | | | | security and policy on identity theft. Most banks |
| borrow their neighbors' wireless internet | | | | are eager to protect the privacy of their |
| connections. Not only does this bog down your | | | | customers and advertise their online banking |
| server, it is also a security risk. You should also be | | | | security features. Make sure that your bank is |
| wary about who you let use your computer. | | | | doing everything possible to protect your privacy |
| Always log off from your account once you are | | | | before you open an account. Should identity theft |
| finished conducting your business. If you simply | | | | occur and your account is accesses without your |
| close the browser, the account might stay open | | | | permission, you must report it to the bank |
| and allow hackers access. | | | | immediately. |
| If you must access you accounts from a public | | | | As a general rule, banks are willing to work with |
| server or another person's computer, be careful. | | | | you and block future withdrawals from your |
| Look for a certificate or other indicators in the | | | | balance, and you are protected to a certain |
| URL that prove the connection is secure. Again, | | | | extent. The investigation process is not always |
| be sure to log off completely. This is especially | | | | pleasant for the victim of identity theft, but the |
| important when using a computer or server that | | | | faster you identity that there was theft the |
| is not yours. | | | | easier it is to clear up. |
| Early detection is the best way to handle identity | | | | Internet banking is a useful tool, but like any other |
| theft. Monitor your accounts closely. Internet | | | | tool, it must be used wisely. Banks do have an |
| banking makes this a relatively painless chore. | | | | obligation to protect their customers, but you are |
| Catching any abnormal activity early can save you | | | | your best defense against identity theft. Do |
| from a bigger headache down the road, and it | | | | everything in your power to ensure that you |
| makes it easier to catch the culprit or culprits | | | | enjoy the benefits of internet banking without |
| trying to steal your identity. | | | | experiencing identity theft. Practice the tips above |
| Indicators of identity theft: | | | | to protect yourself, and monitor all of your |
| The obvious sign of identity theft is spotting | | | | accounts closely. |
| charges that you do not recognize. Examine your | | | | |