Jacksboro National Bank will never ask for sensitive financial or personal information, such as account numbers, passwords and Social Security numbers in an email. Unsolicited “spoof” emails requesting such information are a typical ploy in “phishing” scams— fraudulent techniques used by online impostors to “fish” for, or lure you into supplying financial account credentials and personal information.
While no one can ever be totally safe from identity theft, we want to make you aware of a few proactive, simple measures you can take that can help you from becoming a victim of identity theft.
What is Identity Theft?
Identity theft occurs when someone uses your personal information without your knowledge or permission for financial or other gain. Prime targets of identity theft include children, college students, military members, veterans and seniors, but it can happen to anyone at any time.
The following forms of identity theft are simple and time-tested methods that help thieves steal your identity.
- Mail Theft
- Use a locking, security mailbox if possible, or consider renting a PO Box at your local post office.
- Put all outgoing mail into a postal mailbox
- Dumpster Diving (Trash Theft)
- Shred unwanted documents containing personal information and all unsolicited credit card or loan offers.
- Invest in a high-quality cross-cut shredder. Thieves can piece together papers shredded into horizontal strips.
- Shoulder Surfing – “Shoulder surfers” observe your actions or eavesdrop to steal personal information. They look over your shoulder or stand close y and may use a camera phone to record you.
- Shield keypads with your hand or body before entering PINS, passwords, or cards numbers.
- Avoid sharing personal information over the phone in public. If you must, use a low voice and shield your mouth.
- Purse or Wallet Snatching
- Minimize what you carry in your wallet, especially payment cards.
- Never carry you Social Security card unless absolutely necessary.
- Don’t carry PINs or account passwords with you; memorize them or keep them safely locked up at home.
How Can Identity Theft Affect Me?
Identity Theft can damage your finances, credit rating and reputation, and complicate many area of your life. Identity thieves might:
- Drain your bank accounts.
- Make purchases with your credit cards.
- Open new accounts in your name (bank, cell phone, utility, credit cards, etc.)
- Get identity and government documents issued with your name and their photos.
- Receive medical care under your insurance.
- Take out loans in your name.
- Create a false criminal record for you by using your identifying information when investigated or arrested by the police.
Another growing problem is tax-related identity theft. Using your Social Security number, an identity theft might:
- File a false tax return and collect a refund.
- Get a job and have earning reported as your income.
How can I protect myself?
Financial account credentials, passwords, Social Security numbers and other personal information are sought by thieves to commit identity theft, which can damage your credit and cost you countless hours and dollars in the effort to restore your good name.
Here are some tips from The Federal Trade Commission, to help minimize your risk of identity theft
- Protect your Social Security number and don’t give it out unless absolutely necessary. Don’t carry your Social Security card in your wallet or write your Social Security number on a check.
- Treat your trash and mail carefully. Always shred documents you discard that may contain sensitive financial or personal information, including credit offers you receive in the mail.
- Be on guard when using the Internet. Beware of “spoof” emails and “phishing” scams.
- Select intricate passwords for log-in to financial and personal information online. Use at least 10-14 characters, both uppercase and lowercase letters, one or more numerals and one or more symbols.
- Change your password often. Do not share it with others, and do not record it in an easy-to-find place.
- Verify sources before sharing information. Don’t give out personal information on the phone, through the mail, or on the Internet unless you’ve initiated the contact and are sure you know who you’re dealing with.
- Safeguard your purse and wallet. Carry only the identification information and the credit and debit cards that you’ll actually need when you go out.
- Store your personal information in secure locations.
- Review your credit reports at least once a year to check for errors and fraud.
- Promptly and carefully review your account statements such as bank statements, credit card statements, as well as mobile phone and home telephone bills for unauthorized charges or activity.
How do I protect my computer & Devices?
Jacksboro National Bank or a service provider cannot prevent spyware or viruses from being sent out and infecting people’s computers. What we can do is ensure that our systems are virus-free, properly patched and that our users are knowledgeable of the risks.
The following are tips to help protect your computer and information:
- Prevent the unauthorized use of your computer by requiring a log-in password at start-up. To create a strong password, use at least 10-14 characters, both uppercase and lowercase letters, one or more numerals and one or more symbols.
- Change your password often. Do not share it with others, and do not record it in an easy-to-find place.
- Log off or lock your computer if you must step away from it while working, and log off, lock or shut down at the end of a work session or end of the day.
- Do not leave your laptop or notebook computer where it can be easily removed.
- Ensure that you have a firewall, system security software, anti-virus software, and spyware-detection software installed on your computer — and keep it up-to-date.
- Use only software from reliable vendors. Shareware, freeware and trial-use programs may install unwanted adware or spyware on your computer.
- Wi-Fi access should be secured with strong password encryption.
