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Citizens First Bank takes every precaution to provide a safe and secure Internet site. If you want to protect yourself from becoming a victim of fraud or simply wish to educate yourself on the existing types of Internet fraud, these pages will be of help to you. If you believe you are a victim of fraud, click here.
Examples of Internet Fraud
Phishing is when you click on a link and it takes you to a legitimate looking site and asks you to give away your personal information.
Pharming is another way hackers attempt to manipulate users on the Internet. While phishing attempts to capture personal information by getting users to visit a fake website, pharming redirects users to false websites without them even knowing it.
Citizens First Bank will never ask you via email to verify account information. We will never use email to threaten account closure. Please know this, as one defense against phishing. Other safeguards to help protect you from phishing scams:
- Be suspicious of any email messages that claims to be from us or that use an urgent, scare-tactic tone.
- Do not respond to email messages asking you to verify personal information.
- Delete suspicious email messages without opening them. If you do open a suspicious email message, do not open any attachments or click any links.
- Install and regularly update virus protection software.
- Keep your computer operating system and Web browser current.
- Make sure you are using a secure website when submitting credit card or other sensitive information via your Web browser. Check the beginning address in your browsers address bar. It should be https:// rather than just http://. Or look for a locked padlock on the lower corner of your browser.
- Regularly check your bank, credit and debit card statements to ensure that all transactions are legitimate
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Are you a Victim of Fraud? Here are some instructions to follow.
If you have given out your credit, debit or ATM card information:
- Report the incident to the card issuer immediately
- Cancel your account and open a new one
- Review billing statements carefully after the incident
- If the statements show unauthorized charges, send a letter to the card issuer via regular mail (keep a copy) describing each questionable charge
If you have given out your bank account information:
- Report the theft to the bank as quickly as possible
- Cancel your account and open a new one
If you have given out your personal identification information:
Identity theft occurs when someone uses your personal information such as your name, Social Security number, credit card number or other identifying information, without your permission to commit fraud or other crimes. If this happened you should do the following:
- Report the theft to one of the three major credit reporting agencies, Experian, Equifax and TransUnion Corporation, and do the following:
- Request that they place a fraud alert and a victim’s statement in your file
- Request a FREE copy of your credit report to check whether any accounts were opened without your consent
- Request that the agencies remove inquiries and/or fraudulent accounts stemming from the theft
Major Credit Bureaus:
Identify Theft Resources:
If you receive a suspicious email from Citizens First Bank or any business it can be reported at the following website: www.us-cert.gov/nav/report_phishing.html.
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Fraud Prevention
Prevent
Prevention is the most critical element to avoiding online fraud. See how many of the following you are currently undertaking - and incorporate the rest into your routine.
Prevent: General Online Security
- Shred all financial documents and paperwork with personal information. Do not simply throw them in the trash.
- Protect your Social Security number. Don't carry your Social Security card in your wallet or write it anywhere. Give it out only if absolutely necessary or ask to use another identifier.
- Don't give out personal information on the phone, through the mail, or over
the Internet unless you know who you are dealing with.
- Never click on links sent in unsolicited emails; instead, type in a web address you know or use the phone. Use firewalls, anti-spyware, and anti-virus software to protect your home computer -- and keep them current.
- Create passwords that are unusual: do not use your birth date, your mother's maiden name, or the last four digits of your Social Security number.
- Keep your personal information in a secure place at home, especially if you employ outside help, have roommates, or are having work done in your house.
- Ordering online? Only use "secure" web pages (a web page is secure if
there is a locked padlock in the lower corner of your browser)
- When your computer is not in use, shut it down or disconnect it from the Internet.
- Always sign off from your Online Banking session.
- Most computer files have filename extensions, such as ".doc" for documents or ".jpg" for images. Any file that appears to have a double extension, like "heythere.doc.pif' is extremely likely to be a dangerous file and should never be opened.
- Never open email attachments that have file endings of .exe, .pif, or .vbs. These are file extensions for executables, and are commonly dangerous files.
- Be careful and selective before providing your email address to a questionable website. Sharing your email address makes you more likely to receive fraudulent emails.
Detect
Detect: General Online Security
Despite all efforts to prevent it, identity fraud can still occur. The earlier it is detected, however, the sooner we can help you take action to stop it.
Be alert and take immediate action to the following:
- Bills that do not arrive as expected
- Unexpected credit cards or account statements
- Denials of credit for no apparent reason
- Calls or letters about purchases you didn't make
Take advantage of free annual credit reports: Credit reports contain information about what accounts you have and your bill paying history. Free copies are required by law from the major nationwide consumer reporting companies-Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion. Visit www.AnnualCreditReport.com or call 1-877-322-8228, a service created by these three companies, to order your free credit reports each year. You also can write: Annual Credit Report Request Service, P.O. Box 105281, Atlanta, GA 30348-5281.
Review your financial and billing statements regularly and look for charges
you did not make.
Keep a list of all your credit card numbers and phone numbers in case of
theft, and notify each card issuer immediately if theft occurs.
Correct
Correct: General Online Security
- Close any accounts that have been tampered with or established fraudulently.
- Call the security or fraud departments of each company where an account was opened or changed without your okay. Follow up in writing, with copies of supporting documents.
- Use the ID Theft Affidavit at www.ftc.gov/idtheft to support your written statement.
- Ask for verification that the disputed account has been closed and the fraudulent debts discharged.
- Keep copies of documents and records of your conversations about the theft.
- File a police report. File a report with law enforcement officials to help you with creditors who may want proof of the crime.
Report
Report: General Online Security
Report the theft to the Federal Trade Commission. Filing a report helps law enforcement officials across the country in their investigations:
- Online:
www.ftc.gov/idtheft
- By phone:
1-877-ID-THEFi (438-4338) or TTY, 1-866-653-4261
- By mail:
Identity Theft Clearinghouse
Federal Trade Commission
Washington, DC 20580
Report: Online Banking Security
Always report theft and fraudulent activity to your financial institution, no matter if you are a victim or suspect the activity.
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ATM PIN Reversal Myth
An “urban myth” story is circulating on the Internet regarding PIN reversal technology.
This is a concept based on the possibility that a cardholder could remember and reverse his or her PIN at an ATM to draw attention to a dangerous situation like a kidnapping or robbery. Financial institutions within the United States have not deployed this technique despite several well-circulated chain letters that have misstated this fact.
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