General Online Security Tips for Consumers
- Use a current browser that supports secure and private
transactions.
- Install and regularly update virus detection software.
- Do not allow unauthorized access to your PC.
- Do not install pirated software or software from an
unknown source.
- If using cable modems for Internet access, don't keep
the connection active when not in use; install personal
firewall software.
- Do not open e-mail attachments from unknown sources.
Consumer Tips for Securing Online Financial Transactions
- Conduct financial transactions first in any online session.
After completing financial transactions online, including
a credit card purchase, logoff before continuing other
online activity. This may help to protect your confidential
data (account numbers, passwords, etc.).
- Protect your PINS and passwords; create alpha-numeric
PINS and passwords that do not use readily identifiable
information like names, birth dates, phone numbers or
other familiar words.
- When applying online for any financial account, ensure
that you are dealing with a reputable, federally insured
institution with secured Web pages.
- Notify us immediately of any changes in your account
information.
Tips for Preventing Identify Theft
- Do not give personal information, such as account numbers
or Social Security numbers on the telephone, through the
mail, or over the Internet unless you initiated the contact
or know with whom you are dealing.
- Store personal information in a safe place and tear
up old credit card and ATM receipts, old account statements,
and unused credit card offers before throwing them away.
- Protect your PINS and other passwords. Avoid using
easily available information like your mother's maiden
name, your birth date, the last four-digits of your Social
Security number, your phone number, etc.
- Carry only the minimum amount of identifying information
and the number of credit cards that you need.
- Pay attention to your account billing cycles and statements.
Make sure they arrive the same time each month.
- Check account statements carefully to ensure all charges,
checks, or withdrawals were authorized.
- Guard your mail from theft. If you have the type of
mailbox with a flag to signal the box contains mail, do
not leave bill payment envelopes in your mailbox with
the flag up. Instead, deposit them in a post office collection
box or at the local post office. Promptly remove all incoming
mail.
- Order copies of your credit report from each of the
three major credit bureaus once a year to ensure they
are accurate. Consumers are entitled to receive one free
credit report from each of the three major bureaus annually.
Visit www.annualcreditreport.com
for more information.
- If you prefer not to receive preapproved offers of
credit, you can opt out of such offers by calling 1-888-5
-OPTOUT or visiting www.optoutprescreen.com.
- If you want to remove your name from many national
direct mail lists, send your name and address to: DMA
Mail Preference Service, PO Box 643, Carmel, NY 10512.
- If you want to reduce the number of telephone solicitations
from many national marketers, send your name, address,
and telephone number to: DMA Telephone Preference Service,
PO Box 1559, Carmel, NY 10512.
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