Safety

As a customer of Somerset Savings Bank, the security of your personal and account information is extremely important to us. By practicing good security habits, you can help us ensure that your private information is protected.

Online Security

Protecting Your Identity

Phishing

ATM Safety

Online Security

Stop. Think. Click.

Several precautions can be taken to safeguard your computer and information during everyday use. Each time you connect to the Internet to exchange information you open a pathway from the outside world to your computer. The following tips can help reduce the risk of malicious content making its way into your computer.

Install anti-virus software.

Make sure that your computer has virus protection software that detects and removes all forms of viruses and spyware which can steal information. Be certain to use the software regularly and to keep it updated.

Ensure that your computer has a firewall.

A firewall is like a guard, watching for outside attempts to access your system and blocking communications to and from sources you don't permit. Many systems come with a built-in firewall. Make sure it's turned on. If your system does not have a firewall, purchase firewall software and install it.

Update operating systems and software.

Install all software fixes (sometimes called "patches" or "service packs") that are made available for your computer as soon as possible, especially if the fix addresses a security hole.

Practice safe computing.

Make sure that if you are sending personal information your connection is secure. A closed padlock appears on the status bar of secure web sites and the address will start with https:// rather than http://. Use passwords to protect access to your computer. Do not open email attachments if you do not know what is in the attachment or if you do not know who it came from. Do not reply to emails asking for sensitive personal or financial information. We would never ask for this type of information via an email or pop-up message.

Protecting Your Identity

Identity theft occurs when someone else uses your personal information to open a bank account, acquire a credit card or engage in other fraudulent acts.

You can minimize your risk of identity theft or account fraud.

• Keep items with personal information in a safe place. Destroy or shred them when you no longer need them.
• When outside your home, carry the minimum amount of personal information and credit cards that you need.
• Protect your PINs and passwords. Don't use birth dates, social security numbers or telephone numbers. Use a combination of letters and numbers if possible, and do not write PINs and passwords down — memorize them.
• Review your consumer credit report annually.
• Do not give out personal information over the telephone, through the mail, or over the Internet unless you have initiated the contact and know who you are dealing with.
• If a regular bill fails to reach you, call the company to find out why. Someone may have filed a false change-of-address form to divert your information to his/her address.
• Don't put outgoing mail in your mailbox. Drop it in a secure U.S. Postal Service collection box. Remove mail from your own mailbox promptly.
• Be careful about giving out personal information online. Practice safe computing.

What to do if you if you suspect account fraud.

• Don't panic! Contact the appropriate bank or creditor for any account that has been tampered with, or opened fraudulently, so that appropriate action can be taken.
• Contact the fraud department of each major credit bureau and request that a fraud alert and a victim's statement be placed in your file.
• Contact the Federal Trade Commission's Identity Theft Hotline at 877-ID-THEFT or www.consumer.gov/idtheft.
• File a report with your local police department and get a copy to submit to your creditors and others that may require proof of the crime.
• Remain vigilant over the next 12-24 months and promptly report incidents of suspected identity theft.

Phishing

In the computer world, phishing — it's pronounced "fishing" — is the act of seeking or fishing for information in a sly or indirect way. Phishers send seemingly legitimate emails warning of a serious problem that requires immediate attention and attempt to lure you to an imitation of a legitimate web site. If you provide the information requested, you may find yourself the victim of identity theft fraud.

Don't take the bait. Look before you bite.

• Never provide your personal information in response to an unsolicited request whether it is over the telephone or the Internet.
• If you believe the contact may be legitimate, contact the financial institution yourself. You should be the one to initiate the contact using information that you verified yourself.
• Never provide your password over the telephone or in response to an unsolicited Internet request.
• Review account statements regularly to ensure all charges are correct.

Resources

In the event you are a victim of identity theft, you may find the following telephone numbers and consumer links useful in locating information and providing guidance on how to file complaints:

Credit Reporting Bureaus:

Equifax (www.equifax.com)
    Place a fraud alert: 888-766-0008
    Order a credit report: 800-685-1111

Experian (www.experian.com)
    Place a fraud alert: 888-397-3742
    Order a credit report: 888-397-3742

TransUnion (www.transunion.com)
    Place a fraud alert: 800-680-7289
    Order a credit report: 800-888-4213

Federal Trade Commission (www.consumer.gov/idtheft):

You can file an identity theft complaint with the FTC online or by calling the FTC's Identity Theft Hotline at 877-438-4338.

Internet Fraud Complaint Center (www.ifccbi.gov):

The IFCC provides a convenient and easy-to-use online reporting mechanism that alerts authorities of a suspected criminal or civil violation.

ATM Safety

Playing it safe at the ATM.

Because we care about your safety, we offer these tips...

Treat your ATM card like cash.

Know where it is at all times and keep it secure. Guard it as carefully as you would cash, checks or a credit card.

Safeguard your Personal Identification Number (PIN).

Do not write it on your card or keep your card and any written record of your PIN in the same location. Memorize it instead. Do not allow another person to look over your shoulder as you enter your PIN at an ATM.

Choose an ATM carefully and use common sense.

Be aware of your surroundings, particularly at night. Avoid ATMs in dark or remote areas or where people seem to be loitering. Walk away if you notice something suspicious.

Withdraw cash safely.

Have your ATM card in your hand as you approach the ATM. When you collect your cash, immediately put it away, take your receipt and keep moving.

Promptly report anything suspicious.

Immediately report a lost or stolen card or if you notice something suspicious at an ATM. Also notify us immediately about an unauthorized ATM or debit card transaction on your account.