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Customer Education

CUSTOMER EDUCATION

STAY INFORMED

Identity theft is a true crime that has real effects. Victims can use valuable time (possibly months) sorting out legal and financial problems. There is no guarantee it won’t happen to you, but you can take preventative measures.

The Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) has produced a multimedia presentation to help consumers protect themselves from identity theft. The presentation provides information on steps consumers should take to secure their computer and protect themselves from identity theft, as well as actions consumers should take if they become a victim of identity theft.

SECURE YOUR PERSONAL INFORMATION
  • Be sure your Personal Identification Numbers (PIN’s) are not carried with your checkbook, ATM or debit cards.
  • Documents containing personal or banking information should be shredded. Don’t just throw them away.
  • Never give out personal information over the internet, phone or by email unless you have initiated the contact.
  • Take note of when your monthly bills arrive. Review them as soon as possible for activity that may not be yours.
  • Use electronic statements whenever possible. Fairfield National Bank offers free eStatements and eNotices to reduce the risk of ID theft and is available through CSI eSafe.
  • Mail outgoing bill payments from the post office or secure location, not your home. Fairfield National Bank offers Online Bill Pay.
SHOP WISELY
  • Avoid adding your address or telephone number when signing a credit or check card slip.
  • Identity thieves go through dumpsters at stores so dispose of receipts at home.
  • Be extra cautious if your receipt displays your full card number
PROTECT YOUR FINANCIAL INFORMATION
  • If you cannot locate your checks, debit or credit cards, report it immediately. Be sure your new and cancelled checks are stored safely. Make sure unused cards are canceled and cut up.
  • Statements should be reviewed carefully. You can monitor your accounts anytime and as often as you like at Fairfield National Bank Online Banking.
  • Question any suspicious charges. Don’t hesitate to contact Fairfield National Bank or the appropriate issuer if you feel a transaction is not yours.
  • Do not include your driver’s license or social security number on your checks.
DON’T BE AFRAID TO MONITOR YOUR CREDIT & CREDIT REPORT
  • You are entitled to one free credit report per year from each major consumer reporting agency – Experian, Trans Union, and Equifax – under the Federal Fair Credit Reporting Act. Watch for suspicious inquiries, unexplained accounts, incorrect balances and typos. To order your free reports, go to www.annualcreditreport.com or call (877) 322-8228.
  • Confirm all requests for a new account opened in your name by asking the credit report agencies for fraud alert protection.
  • Don’t carry credit cards with you that you don’t use on a regular basis.
  • Credit offers you receive can be limited by contacting the National Consumer Credit Reporting Agencies at 1-888-5-OPTOUT (1-888-567-8688).
TALK TO COMPANIES & GOVERNMENT AGENCIES
  • When dealing with banks, credit card companies, motor vehicle departments, utilities, insurance and phone providers, request to have as little information as possible on printed cards.
  • Ask companies and organizations about their privacy policies.
  • Be aware that you often have many avenues of information sharing blocked, just by asking.
MAKE GOOD PASSWORD CHOICES
  • Passwords and PINs should be hard to guess by mixing numbers, letters and symbols.
  • Avoid using social security number, mother’s maiden name, birth dates, your kids’ names or sports teams.
  • We recommend changing your passwords regularly, at least every 90 days.
PROTECT YOUR SOCIAL SECURITY NUMBER
  • Do not carry your social security card or number with you.
  • Do not have it printed on your checks.
  • Unless your state requires it, it should not be on your driver’s license.
  • Remember that government applications and financial forms are the only places you must use your social security number, such as tax forms and credit applications.
ASK FOR HELP FROM YOUR EMPLOYER
  • Employers should guard your files closely. Identity thieves are increasingly hitting groups of peoples and workplaces.
  • Know who has permission to have access to your records.
BE AWARE OF PHONE & EMAIL SCAMS
  • Do not give out personal information over the phone, unless you initiated the contact.
  • Be alert to email phishing scams. It is good practice to never send personal information via email. Emails can appear to be from a legitimate source, when they are not.
  • Know that Fairfield National Bank will never make an unsolicited phone request for your account information, password or other sensitive data. We do not request confidential information via email.