Security Center

Identify Theft

At SENB Bank we are your partner in protecting your confidential information. Despite the efforts of criminals and the sophistication of their technology, together we can keep your personal information safe and secure. Knowledge is power; you can avoid becoming a victim of identity theft.

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

PROTECT YOURSELF

There are many techniques available to scam artists to get you to reveal personal information such as social security numbers, bank account numbers and passwords. Avoid being reeled in by these phishing expeditions!

• NEVER provide any personal information in response to any email request to confirm your information: Think about it, why would any legitimate institution ask you for information they already have?
• BE CAREFUL: When shopping online only use secure websites, make sure there is a “lock” icon on the browser status bar or look for “https” in the web address and monitor your bank and credit card statements regularly for any suspicious activity; don’t respond to “urgent” email that threatens closure of an account… be suspicious to any message with a sense of urgency.
• MONITOR YOUR CREDIT REPORT: You can obtain a free copy of your credit report annually at www.annualcreditreport.com or by calling 1-877-322-8228.
• DON’T BE FOOLED: Criminals often send fraudulent emails claiming to be e-Bay or Pay Pal. If you receive any email from either of these companies, do not reveal anything.
• BE IN CONTROL: Only give credit card numbers and personal data with transactions YOU initiate.
• CHECK TO BE SURE: When using a public computer (hotel, library, internet cafe, etc.) verify there is adequate virus protection.
• REPORT: Suspicious email or phone activity to www.consumer.gov/idtheft or call 1-877-IDTHEFT.
   

SCAMS

It’s hard to keep ahead of the criminals. They are clever and prey on the vulnerable. Here are some current scams:

• Fraudulent cashier’s checks and money orders – if you are contacted by a stranger and asked to deposit what appears to be a valid cashier’s check into your account, BEWARE. Although it may appear they have a genuine reason not to open an account the cashier’s check is actually stolen or fake. Be especially wary if you are asked to wire any of the money to an out-of-state or off shore bank.
• Lottery Scam – Crooks contact people to advise them they’ve won a lottery. Ask yourself: how can you win something you never entered?
• Inheritance Scam – Similarly, another scheme involves notifying a victim they’ve inherited money from a distant relative or friend, claiming the inheritance tax must be paid before disbursement.
• Online fraud – With the explosion of online “sharing” comes an explosion of ways and means to scam innocent victims out of their personal information.
• Don’t click on email links within an email. Instead, enter the web address in your browser.
• Do not open any email from any unknown sender.
• Be very cautious about disclosing personal information either online or over the phone.
• ALWAYS review your credit card statement.
• Be very wary of any offer that requires advance payment before receiving a benefit.
• Shred unused checks, bills and bank statements.
   

IF YOU BECOME A VICTIM

1. Contact SENB Bank and any other financial institution with which you have an account and report the account number which may have been compromised.

2. 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
PO Box 740241
Atlanta, GA 30374-0241

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

Hearing Impaired:
Call 1-800-255-0056
Ask operator to call the Auto Disclosure Line at
1-800-685-1111
to request a copy of your report

Experian
www.experian.com
1-888-397-3742
PO Box 2002
Allen, TX 75013

For Fraud Alerts:
1-888-397-3742
PO Box 9530
Allen, TX 75013
TDD: 1-800-972-0322

Trans Union
www.transunion.com
1-800-888-4213
PO Box 1000
Chester, PA 19022

For Fraud Alerts:
1-800-680-7289
Fraud Victim Assistance Division
PO Box 6790
Fullerton, CA 92634

TDD: 1-877-553-7803

3. 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.

4. Close any affected accounts and open new ones.

5. File a police report

6. Contact the Social Security Administration (www.ssa.gov) if someone else has obtained your social security number.

The Key Is Prevention

The security of your financial information is very important to us at SENB Bank. By following these tips for telephone, mobile, or online banking, you can safeguard your personal information and help prevent scams from impacting you.

• Do not use an obvious password, such as birth dates, mother’s maiden name, a pet’s name or the last four digits of your Social Security Number.
• Change your password every 90 days.
• Do not give out personal information on the telephone, through email or over the internet unless you know with whom you are dealing.
• Protect your Social Security Number. Only give it out if it is necessary or ask to use another identifier.
• Keep your personal information in a secure place at home.
• Shred all financial documents and paperwork before discarding them.
• Never click on links sent in unsolicited emails.
• Keep your anti-virus and anti-spyware software up to date.
• Monitor your bank statements regularly and notify SENB Bank immediately when you discover a potentially fraudulent transaction.

Protecting your personal information and ensuring your account information is secure is a top priority at SENB Bank.

REMEMBER: SENB Bank will NEVER ask you to provide or verify account or login information by email, phone or text message. This includes account numbers, user Ids, passwords, and debit or credit card information.

Unfortunately, the convenience of electronic communication brings with it vulnerability to criminal activity and it is critical for SENB Bank and its customers to partner-up to keep scammers at bay.

This includes not only personal computers but also your smartphones.

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