The
Internet is a great tool…for information and to conduct
online business, as long as you take the proper precautions
to protect your private information. As a valued customer
of Skowhegan Savings, the security of your personal and
account information is extremely important to us. By practicing
good security habits, you can help us ensure that your
information is protected.
We have
designed this area of our Web site as a resource for our
customers to learn about
email and Internet fraud and how you can better
protect yourself and your accounts.
Email and Web Site Fraud
As a bank customer you need to
be especially vigilant to some of the frauds at work
on the Internet. Internet fraud can be any type of scheme
that uses the Internet to deceive prospective victims.
As the level of doing business electronically increases,
so does the level of criminal activity on the Internet.
If they can, criminals will gain control of your assets
by acquiring your credit card or bank account information.
Protect yourself by learning about some of the methods
that are commonly used.
Phishing: Fraudulent emails, appearing to be from a trusted source
such as your bank or a government
agency that direct you to their Web site, and then ask
you to verify personal information such as account numbers
or passwords, are phishing. If you receive an email that
warns you with little or no notice that your account
will be shut down unless you reconfirm certain information,
do not click on the email link. Should you reply to such
an email you are actually providing sensitive information
to a thief, not to a legitimate company.
Web
Site Fraud: Web spoofing allows an attacker to create a "shadow copy" of a legitimate Web site. Usually, you receive an email that appears to be from
a business with which you are familiar, asking that you
follow the provided link in order to update your password,
credit card information, etc. Often these links take
you to a page that looks legitimate, but is maintained
by the
individual running the scam. To ensure that you are always
visiting a trusted Web site, avoid clicking on any links
in an unsolicited email asking you to update or verify
personal or account information. If an unsolicited email
arrives, treat it as you would a phishing source and
do not click on the link.
Identity
Theft: Identity theft will affect over 30 million Americans
this year, but you
can protect yourself and your personal information by
following some simple tips.Safeguard your financial information
such as checking and credit card numbers, and your social
security number.
Don't
give it out to someone you don't know even if they
claim to be from your bank.
Report
lost or stolen checks immediately, as well as lost or stolen
debit or credit cards.
Shred documents that contain account numbers or other
sensitive material before discarding them.
Be on
alert should you fail to receive regular account statements
or bills. If your bills
include questionable items, investigate them immediately.
Other
Resources
For
more information on the prevention of identity theft visit:
Federal
Trade Commission
Consumer Protection Bureau Web site
Call 877-FTC-HELP (382-4357)
Identity
Theft Resource Center Web site or call: 858-693-7935
ATM
Security Awareness and Fraud Prevention
ATM
(Automatic Teller Machine) fraud is one of the most prevalent
illegal
activities in
today's banking environment. Skowhegan Savings is committed
to providing you with helpful
information on how to best protect your personal and account
information.
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