Security Center | Freehold Bank

Security Center

Facts, tools and tips to protect your confidential information from attack.

 

Safety First!

Cybersecurity attacks continue to rise every day. In this modern world of online and mobile banking there is a fine balance between ease of use and information protection. Freehold Bank is dedicated to assisting its customers in protecting their private information.

Here are some tips and tricks you can utilize every day to help protect your private information.

Whether it’s an email, text message, social media account, improperly protected credit card machine, take the time to THINK:

  • Trace the source – Ensure the source of the request is legitimate.
  • Hide your credentials. Keep user names and passwords confidential.
  • Intelligently use online forums – Whether it is online banking or your social media page be careful when logging on in public spaces using public networks.
  • Notify the proper authorities and key businesses IMMEDIATELY in the case of Identity Theft.
  • Know your cyber footprint and the risks it may cause.

Educating yourself about different forms of attacks can have a significant impact on increasing protection for your personal information. Take a look at Freehold Bank’s promise to protect your financial information and steps you can take to ensure your security.

Electronic Banking Security Tips

Whether you are banking from your mobile device, a computer, or ATM, the following practices can protect you from fraud.

  1. Back Up Data Regularly – Regularly back-up your mobile devices and computers.
  2. Maintain Documentation of Transactions – Many people rely on their bank to provide transaction histories, but no matter what form of electronic banking you use make sure that you independently document the details of the transaction for your own records.
  3. Utilize Access Passwords – Make sure to use passwords/PINs and/or biometric scanning devices to access your mobile device, computer, and/or ATM or telephonic system.
  4. Don’t allow automatic log in to your bank accounts.
  5. Don’t save your password, account number, or PIN on your computer and/or mobile device.
  6. Download and install antivirus/anti-spyware software on your computers and/mobile devices.
  7. Be careful when downloading Programs and/or Applications - All downloads should be from a trusted source.
  8. Avoid “free offers”- Emails, instant messages, texts, and or social media targeted advertisements that offers free items may contain viruses or malware. Remember the old adage: “Nothing in life is free”
  9. Be cautious of messages from unknown sources. Be cautious of any form of message (voicemail, email, text, etc.) asking you to update, validate or confirm personal information such as your account information or password. Legitimate sources like banks, mortgage lenders, and even internet email and social media sites will NEVER contact you to update this type of information. It is your responsibility to contact them if an information updated is required.
  10. Check your account often – At least once per day review your banking transactions to catch fraudulent activity quickly.
  11. Do not use Public Wi-Fi - When accessing sensitive information from a mobile device or computer ensure that the network is properly protected. If a network doesn’t ask for a password it is Public and you should not use it for sensitive transactions.
  12. Make sure you log out of social networking sites and online banking when you are finished using them.
  13. Install operating systems updates for all computers and mobile devices as they become available as they often include security updates.
  14. Before you dispose of, upgrade, or recycle your computer or mobile device backup your data, remove/de-authorize any licensed services, and reinstall the operating system or factory reset.
  15. Use a secure browser and trusted computer for sensitive transactions.
  16. Log off when you’re done using Web sites that require a user ID and password.
  17. Disconnect and shut down when you’re not using your computer.

Social Engineering

Social Engineering is a non-technical method of intrusion hackers utilize. It relies heavily on human interactions and behaviors. The most prevalent type of Social Engineering attack that occurs to customers is a phishing attack. Phishing is the attempt to acquire sensitive information such as usernames, passwords, credit card details, financial information, and sometimes money for malicious reasons by masquerading as a trustworthy source.

Phishing attacks can occur by email, text, instant messaging, social media, and/or by phone.

Here are a few ways you can prevent yourself from falling victim to social engineering techniques:

  • Don’t respond to ANY email or social networking post or message that advertises free items, asks for money or to utilize your account for a monetary transaction, requests you to reveal user names and passwords, asks for your phone number and/or address, or other confidential information.
  • Don’t assume that an unsolicited phone call or message is actually from a trusted source. Thieves can research your purchases or donations, then pose as a business or charity.
  • Verify. If someone on the phone or a message is telling you there is a problem with your online banking account don’t give them additional information to “fix” the problem. Hang up or delete the email and check those accounts directly by logging in normally or calling a published customer service number.
  • Be conscious of what can be learned about you. Thieves are very good at digging out the basic security questions such as mother’s maiden name or the model of your first car.
  • Even the most innocent attachments can be infected with malware. If you aren’t certain the message came from a legitimate source DO NOT OPEN it without verifying. Call the source and ask if they sent an email with an attachment.

Identity Theft

What to do in case you are a victim of identity theft.

  • Contact Freehold Bank immediately. Your accounts can be frozen and transactions can be tracked.
  • Report the Identity Theft to the Authorities. Contact the Police or Sheriff in your area to file a police report and obtain a case number. It is important to obtain a case number to help you correct your credit rating.
  • Set up a folder to keep a detailed history of the crime. Include a log of every action you take, copies of all correspondences and/or forms you receive or send, names and contact information for all people you surrounding disputed transactions. Keep track of the financial loss to you.
  • Contact all creditors. Do this by phone and in writing, saving copies of the letters, to be sure they are properly informed. Wherever possible ask to speak to the company’s fraud department. Close any bank and credit card accounts you believe to be compromised or opened without your authorization. When you open new accounts, create new user names, PINs, passwords and avoid using easily available information.
  • Contact the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) to report the problem. The FTC is the national clearing house for complaints by victims of identity theft. Their hotline is 1-877-IDTHEFT. The FTC also provides a uniform IFD Theft Affidavit that is accepted and endorsed by many businesses, along with a form to report the identity theft to the FTC.
  • Ask businesses to provide you with information about transactions made in your name.
  • If you have any checks stolen or bank accounts set up fraudulently, immediately report it to these agencies:
    • National Check Fraud Service: (843) 571-2143
    • ChexSystems: (800) 842-5880
    • Contact Social Security at their fraud hotline: (800) 269-0271
    • Contact the State Office of the Department of Motor Vehicles: Contact the DMV to see if another license was issued in your name. If so, request a new license and fill out the DMV’s complaint form to begin the fraud investigation process.
  • Contact the three major credit reporting agencies. Contact the fraud department of each agency to report the identity theft. Ask for a “Fraud Alert Victim Impact” statement to be placed in your credit file asking that creditors call you before opening any new accounts. The credit agencies will need to know your police report case number. Ask for a copy of your credit report.

Here are some of the bureaus or agencies you may want to contact if you are a victim of identity theft:

Equifax
11601 Roosevelt Blvd.
St. Petersburg, FL 33716-2202
To Report Fraud: (800) 525-6285
To Order a Credit Report: (800) 685-1111

Visit Equifax 

Experian
P.O. Box 1017
Allen, TX 75013
To Report Fraud: (888) 397-3742
To Order a Credit Report: (888) 397-3742

Visit Experian

TransUnion
P.O. Box 390
Springfield, PA 19604
To Report Fraud: (800) 680-7289
To Order a Credit Report: (800) 916-8800

Visit TransUnion 

U.S. Federal Trade Commission
Toll free: (877) 438-4338

Visit FTC 

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