Identity Theft

Identity theft is the fraudulent use of someone's personal identifying information and it is a crime. Identity theft occurs when a thief steals personal information, such as name, address, social security number, birth date, account number or mother's maiden name to gain access to that person's financial accounts. The thief may also use the information to open fraudulent credit card or bank accounts or obtain loans. They may acquire this information several ways, including:

  • Stealing bank or credit card statements from a mailbox
  • Stealing a wallet or purse containing personal identification such as driver's license, bank cards and credit cards
  • Searching through trash for personal data
  • Impersonating a legitimate business through e-mail or over the phone to dupe people into revealing their personal information, including account numbers and passwords
  • Intercepting unencrypted e-mail or electronic communications

 Below are some basic steps for protecting yourself against identity theft:

  • Never give out personal or financial information over the phone, through e-mail or regular mail, or over the Internet unless you have initiated the contact. A legitimate business will never ask you for your account number or password. If you're unsure about providing information to a business, call the customer service number listed in the phone book for the company or the number listed on your account statement.
  • Prior to providing any identifying information (for example, on an application), ask how it will be used, how it will be stored and whether it will be shared with others.
  • Keep your Social Security Card and Drivers License in a secure place. Only provide this information when absolutely necessary, for example, to your financial institution and employer for tax and wage reporting purposes. You may also need to provide your Social Security Number when you apply for a loan or other extension of credit.
  • Keep your personal and financial information secure at home and at work. Limit the identification information that you carry with you and do not carry your Social Security Card.
  • Always keep your purse or wallet in a safe place, both at home and at work. Shred all statements, receipts, cancelled checks and applications.
  • Remove all mail from your mailbox promptly and have your mail held at the Post Office or picked up by a trusted individual while you are on vacation. Deposit outgoing mail at the Post Office or in a Post Office Collection Box instead of an unsecured mailbox.
  • When selecting a password or PIN, always use a combination of letters (upper and lower case), numbers and symbols. Do not use any part of your Social Security Number, birth date, phone number, address or mother's maiden name. Keep your password or PIN secure. Do not write it down, carry it with you or share it with anyone.
  • Always access internet web sites directly. Do not access sites through links sent in an e-mail message or from other sites.
  • If you receive an e-mail stating that your account will be closed unless you confirm your billing information, do not reply or click on the link in the e-mail message. Instead, contact the company directly, using a phone number from your statement or listed in the phone book.
  • Do not download files from strangers or click on hyperlinks from people you do not know. Opening a file could cause your computer to become infected with a virus.
  • Update and run your virus protection software regularly. Many virus protection programs allow you to schedule a virus scan to run automatically. Computer viruses can damage or delete files on your computer and also spread the virus to others listed in your e-mail address book.
  • Do not leave your computer unattended. Always log off properly, especially after using internet banking or online bill payment services.
  • Always make sure that you have a secure browser connection (https:) before providing any personal information online.
  • Only send personal or financial information through e-mail if you have encrypted it.

Protect Yourself Against Checking Fraud:

There are many opportunities for thieves to commit check fraud and it can be committed in many ways: counterfeit checks, forgery, check kiting (floating worthless checks between accounts in two or more financial institutions), check alteration, telemarketing check scams, stolen checks and deposits of checks which are drawn on overdrawn or closed accounts.

Below are some important guidelines to follow to avoid becoming the unsuspecting victim of check fraud:

  • Keep your checkbook and unused inventory of checks in a safe place; do not leave your checks at work or in your car. Dispose of your cancelled checks by shredding and store your cancelled checks or images in a secure place.
  • Never have your personal information, such as Drivers License Number or Social Security Number preprinted on your checks.
  • Never give out your personal or financial information through the mail, by e-mail, or over the phone unless you have initiated the contact. This includes Social Security Number, Drivers License Number, checking account number, or password/PIN/security code.
  • Promptly notify your financial institution if your account statements or newly ordered checks do not arrive in a timely manner.
  • Check your account balance frequently and promptly review and reconcile your checking account statement for accuracy and signs of fraud.
  • Immediately verify your new check order; did you receive the correct number of checks and is the information printed on the checks accurate?
  • Use a security-lined envelope when mailing checks.
  • Complete your checks in a way that makes forgery difficult. Always use ink pens, never pencil, when writing a check. Write the payee name and the dollar amount (in both numbers and letters) as far to the left of the allotted space as possible to prevent other letters, words or numbers to be added. Draw a line through unused space to the right of the numbers to prevent the addition of digits.
  • When completing the payee name on the Pay To The Order Of line, make sure the name is spelled out so it cannot be altered.
  • Notify your financial institution immediately and file a police report if personal checks, or any checks payable to you, are stolen. Close any compromised accounts.

Phishing Scams

The term "phishing" - as in fishing for confidential information – refers to a scam that encompasses fraudulently obtaining and using an individual's personal or financial information. This is how it works:

  • A consumer receives an e-mail which appears to originate from a financial institution, government agency, or other well-known/reputable entity.
  • The message describes an urgent reason you must "verify" or "re-submit" personal or confidential information by clicking on a link embedded in the message.
  • The provided link appears to be the web site of the financial institution, government agency or other well-known/reputable entity, but in "phishing" scams, the website belongs to the fraudster/scammer.
  • Once inside the fraudulent website, the consumer may be asked to provide Social Security Numbers, account numbers, passwords or other information used to identify the consumer, such as the maiden name of the consumer's mother or the consumer's place of birth.
  • When the consumer provides the information, those perpetrating the fraud can begin to access consumer accounts or assume the person's identity. 

 ATM and Point-of-Sale Safety Tips

  • Memorize your Personal Identification Number (PIN). Do not write your PIN on your Visa Check or ATM card.
  • Never tell anyone your PIN, even if they are helping you with your transaction. Fidelity Bank will never ask you for your PIN. Your PIN should be guarded and never given to anybody.
  • Your Visa Check or ATM card should be kept in a safe place. Protect it as you would cash or other credit cards. If your Visa Check or ATM card is lost or stolen, please contact Fidelity Bank immediately by phone at 1-800-242-2500 or at Lost or Stolen ATM / Debit Card Form.
  • If you suspect unauthorized use with your card, please notify your Fidelity Bank branch office immediately.
  • Always take your ATM and Point-of-Sale receipts with you. The receipt could contain valuable information. Always shred your receipts once you confirm that the proper funds have been debited or credited to or from your account.
  • Have your transaction(s) ready when approaching the ATM or Point-of-Sale terminal. If you are making a deposit into an ATM have your cash or checks already sealed in the envelope.
  • Never give information about your Visa Check or ATM card to strangers or solicitors on the telephone or through e-mail. Only give information to your financial institution in person. Fidelity Bank will never call or e-mail you and ask for your Visa Check or ATM card information.

Steps to Take if You are a Victim of Identity Theft

  • Contact your financial institution(s) and your credit card company(s) and close your accounts.
  • Contact the three major credit bureaus and inform them that your identity has been stolen. Request that a "fraud alert" be placed on your file and that no credit be granted without your approval.

Additional information on Identity Theft can also be found at these web sites:

Department of Justice
Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation
U.S. Postal Inspection Service
U.S. Secret Service