Identity Theft

At THE National Bank, we are dedicated to protecting our customers’ sensitive information; however, we need your help. Recently, criminals have become more sophisticated in using technology in order to obtain valid personal information to use for illegal purposes. We want to make you aware of these crimes to avoid becoming a victim of identity theft.

• Protect personal information to avoid identity theft and phishing scams
• Avoid common scams
• Advice for victims of phishing

Protect Personal Information

Scam artists employ a variety of sophisticated techniques to trick consumers into divulging personal information, such as social security numbers, bank account numbers and passwords.

• Never provide any personal information to e-mails or requests asking you to confirm personal data. No legitimate company, including THE National Bank, would originate e-mail requesting information already on record.
• Exercise extreme caution when shopping online and make certain to monitor your bank, credit card and all other accounts regularly to make sure the transactions are legitimate.
• We recommend that customers check their credit report annually. A free copy of your credit report is available at www.annualcreditreport.com or by calling 1-877-322-8228.
• Currently, security incidents commonly involve fraudulent e-mails from offenders posing as either E-Bay or Paypal. If you should receive e-mail from either of these companies requesting personal information, reveal nothing.
• Only enter credit card information and personal data when it involves a transaction you initiate.
• Whether you are accessing the Internet at home or on a public computer (hotel, library, airport, school, internet cafe), make sure current versions of virus detection software, firewall and spyware scanning tools are installed. Also, be sure to update these tools regularly to combat new threats.
• Always use a secure Web site when submitting credit card numbers or personal information. Before sending any secure information, make certain there is a “lock” icon on the browser status bar or look for “https” in the web address.
• Do not be intimidated by e-mails requesting information immediately in order to prevent an account being closed. Any communication received with a sense of urgency attached to it should be treated as suspect.
• Report suspicious e-mail/phone activity to www.consumer.gov/idtheft or 1-877-IDTHEFT.

Common Local Scams

We have recently noticed an increase in fraudulent activity. As a bank customer, we would like to inform you of new frauds and scams that are currently circulating.

Fraudulent cashiers checks and money orders - Be wary if you are contacted by someone unfamiliar and asked to deposit seemingly valid cashiers checks into your account. The perpetrator may appear to have a genuine reason for not being able to open an account, however, the cashiers checks are actually stolen or fake. Prior to the checks being returned, the perpetrator instructs the victim to wire all or a portion of the money to an out-of-state bank or overseas.

Lottery Scam - A sophisticated new scam involves contacting people and telling them they have won a lottery they have never entered. The victim is sent what seems to be a genuine check and is then instructed to wire funds to cover the ‘taxes’ incurred on the winnings. In reality, the lottery is a scam and the check the victim receives is eventually returned as fraudulent.

Mystery Shopping Scam - This scam involves you receiving notification you have been selected to be a mystery shopper for XYZ Company! They have even sent you a cashier's check to be used to make purchases at the chosen store locations. You get to shop, grade each store location, and keep the merchandise you purchase, plus get paid a fee for your services. They have even included a Code of Ethics disclosure! How can this be a scam? First of all, the check is counterfeit. You will be asked to deposit the counterfeit item into your bank account and then immediately begin your mystery shopping assignment. The majority of the funds provided to you in the counterfeit check will be wired out using a nationally-known wire service (Western Union or Money Gram), with the ploy that this is one of the merchants you are to grade.

As with the lottery scam, once the check is deemed to be counterfeit (about ten days after you deposit the item), the check is returned as uncollected, and your bank debits your account for the full amount of the check. Since you have already spent or wired the funds out, you are now in a loss situation and left to deal with a mess.

Inheritance Scam - Another similar scheme involves the criminal notifying the victim that a distant relative or friend has passed away (or any variation of this story) and inheritance tax must be paid upfront before the inheritance is sent.

Online fraud - Internet fraud is increasing in popularity with criminals who use chat rooms, email, message boards, surveys and fake websites as a means to obtain money, bank account numbers or personal information.

• Do not click on email links when you receive an email urging you to do so. Instead, enter the web address in your browser.
• Be wary of any unsolicited or unexpected emails from all sources.
• Use extreme caution when disclosing personal information online or over the phone. Before sending any secure information, make certain there is a “lock” icon on the browser status bar or look for “https” in the web address.
• Review credit card and account statements immediately to look for unauthorized transactions.
• Watch out for “Advance-Fee Demands” - review carefully any online offer when it is necessary to mail or wire transfer the payment prior to receiving the benefit, particularly if it is a PO Box or overseas.
• Make sure unused checks, bills, and bank statements are shredded before discarding. Also, it is a good idea to send mail from a Post Office box instead of leaving it in your personal mailbox.

Your financial well being is important to us. We want to protect your good credit, personal information and your hard earned money! Please let us know how we can help.

Victims of Phishing

If you suspect you may be a victim of phishing activities, doing the following may help avoid potential damage:

• Contact THE National Bank and any other financial institutions involved immediately to report that your account number may have been compromised.
• Contact one of the three major credit bureaus to place a fraud alert on your credit report:

Equifax - www.equifax.com

1-800-685-1111
P.O. Box 740241
Atlanta, GA 30374-0241

For Fraud Alerts:
1-800-525-6285
P.O. Box 740241
Atlanta, GA 30374-0241

Hearing impaired call 1-800-255-0056 and ask the operator to call the Auto Disclosure Line at 1-800-685-1111 to request a copy of your report.

Experian - www.experian.com

1-888-EXPERIAN (397-3742)
P.O. Box 2002
Allen, TX 75013

For Fraud Alerts:
1-888-EXPERIAN (397-3742)
P.O. Box 9530
Allen, TX 75013
TDD: 1-800-972-0322

Trans Union - www.transunion.com

1-800-888-4213
P.O. Box 1000
Chester, PA 19022

For Fraud Alerts:
1-800-680-7289
Fraud Victim Assistance Division
P.O. Box 6790
Fullerton, CA 92634
TDD: 1-877-553-7803

• Visit www.consumer.gov/idtheft to file a complaint with the FTC and to access an affidavit form to use to alert creditors of your situation.
• Close any affected accounts and open new accounts.
• File a police report.
• Contact the Social Security Administration (www.ssa.gov) if someone else has obtained your social security number.

**THE National Bank does not endorse or guarantee the products, information or recommendations provided by linked sites and is not liable for any failure of products or services advertised on those sites.  Third party sites may have a privacy policy different than that of THE National Bank and may provide less security  than that which is provided by THE National Bank.

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