Fraud and Identity Theft

• NEVER respond to an email or phone call requesting personal data or login/password information.
• Various e-mail schemes are being circulated requesting individuals to provide personal information (Ex: social security number, bank account number, drivers license number, etc.) or login & password information. These emails look very authentic with credit card or bank logos. It is not the practice of a bank or a credit card company to e-mail alerts that your account has been compromised or to request personal information. This is called phishing for information.

Ways to reduce the risk of identity theft

• Sign up for The First State Bank’s Internet Banking Service (https://fsbcolumbus.com)
• Monitor and view your accounts’ transactions and images; perform transfers; make loan payments; use Bill Pay; view bank statements; and much more.
• Set up banking alerts so that the bank can contact you by e-mail if certain activities occur on your account (Ex: a debit over a certain amount posts to your account)
• NEVER use your debit card/ATM card on the internet. Always use a major credit card on the internet for purchases.
• If you use your debit card to make a purchase, use the credit option and sign the receipt for the cashier vs. entering a PIN in and risking the PIN being stolen.
• Try to only use an ATM at a Bank location, as they usually offer the greatest security with video cameras, lighting, etc.
• Keep your credit cards, debit cards, PIN numbers, passwords and other items where they will be safe. Do not keep your PIN number with your credit card, debit card, or ATM card. When disposing of old cards, do so by shredding.
• Shred (with a cross-cut or diamond-cut shredder) any old bank statements, bills, receipts, etc. that have personal information on them.
• Limit the amount of information on your checks (Ex.: use your initials instead of first and middle names, don’t use your Drivers License #, etc.) and do not carry around excess credit cards that you do not use regularly.
• Download and install your computer’s antivirus, antispyware and Windows updates as soon as you are notified that a new update is available.
• Do not give any of your personal information to any websites that do not use encryption or other secure methods to protect it. The website URL should start with https://www….. (vs. http://www…..), and there should be a symbol of a lock to the right of the address bar.
• Don’t use a public computer (Ex: at an airport, hotel, etc.) to do personal transactions as they are usually not a secure network.
• Request a credit report annually from each of the three major credit reporting agencies to be sure they are accurate. They are free once a year.
• Make a prompt inquiry if any bills or statements are not received in a timely fashion as this could mean they were diverted by an identity thief.

What to do if your identity has been stolen

• Immediately call the Bank and provide detailed information of how your account was compromised, details of the fraudulent activity, etc.
• If your FSB Debit Card/ATM Card has been stolen or compromised, call us immediately to cancel the card at 979-732-2332. If it is after hours call 800-535-8440 (if in the U.S.) or 612-316-1484 (if outside the U.S.-Int’l).
• Contact the three major credit reporting agencies to put yourself on Fraud Alert and request a copy of your credit report:
  • Equifax – P. O. Box 740250, Atlanta, GA 30374 0250 or call 800-525-6285
  • Experian – P. O. Box 1017, Allen, TX 75013 or call 888-EXPERIAN (888-397-3742)
  • TransUnion P. O. Box 6790, Fullerton, CA 92634 or call 800-680-7289
• Immediately contact the Federal Trade Commission:
  • Visit https://ftc.gov or call 1-877-IDTHEFT (877-438-4338)

Consumer Response Center
T.C.
600 Pennsylvania Avenue NW
Washington, DC 20580

Cancel all accounts that have fraudulent activity or are at risk.
Contact your local law enforcement agency.
If you know or suspect that your mail has been stolen, contact the United State Postal Service.
Keep detailed records of any theft of your identity and of your efforts to resolve the same.
Log the date, time and amount of any unauthorized activity on your accounts.
Log the date, time, duration and cost of any phone calls.
Log the date and cost of any mailings and keep copies.