The number of Americans who have experienced identity theft has surpassed 27 million, with the incidence rate increasing
every year. Substantial measures are in place at Town North Bank to protect your identity and your accounts against theft
and fraud. For example, stringent bank privacy policies protect your personal financial information. Password protection
for online transactions help assure online security. When using our online services, you develop a password that only you
know. Encryption of online transactions converts your information into secure code, protecting you against hackers.
Maximum security is possible only with your help. Here's what you can do to stop these crimes before they happen:
- Do not give out financial information such as checking and credit card numbers, or your Social
Security number, unless you know the person or organization.
- Report lost or stolen checks immediately. Town North Bank will block payments.
- Notify your banker of suspicious phone inquires such as those asking for account information
to "verify a statement" or "award a prize."
- Closely guard your ATM Personal Identification Number and ATM receipts.
- Shred any financial solicitations and bank statements before disposing of them.
- Put outgoing mail into a secure, official Postal Service collection box.
- If regular bills fail to reach you, call the company to find out why.
- If your bills include questionable items, don't ignore them. Instead, investigate immediately
to head off any possible fraud.
- Periodically contact the major credit reporting companies to review your file and make certain the
information is correct.
FACT Act Will Help Fight Identity Theft
Free credit reports for consumers
The Fair and Accurate Credit Transactions Act (FACT Act) will help reduce
identity theft according to Congress and the Federal Trade Commission. One provision requires
the three major credit-reporting agencies to provide consumers with a
free copy of their own credit report.
Another provision is the National Fraud Alert System.
Consumers who reasonably suspect they have been or may be victimized by identity
theft, or who are military personnel on active duty away from
home, can place an alert on their credit files. The alert will
put potential creditors on notice that they must proceed with caution when
granting credit.
Other measures will help consumers recover their credit reputation after they
have been victimized:
- Credit reporting agencies must stop reporting allegedly
fraudulent account information when a consumer establishes that he
or she has been the victim of identity theft;
- Creditors or businesses must provide copies of business records
or fraudulent accounts or transactions related to them. This information can
assist victims in proving that they are, in fact, victims.
- Consumers will be allowed to report accounts affected by
identity theft directly to creditors — in addition to credit
reporting agencies — to prevent the spread of erroneous credit information.
HOW TO OBTAIN A FREE CREDIT REPORT:
Visit www.annualcreditreport.com
Call (877) 322-8228