cybersecurity

Fraud Protection Center

If you are not a current customer and would like to meet with one of our Customer Service Representatives, please contact us at (731) 686-2255 to schedule an appointment.

Who is at risk?


Anyone who uses the internet is a potential target for fraudsters. At The Bank of Milan, our first priority is protecting your personal information.


What can you do to protect yourself?


Proper internet security can help protect you from fraud. Stay safer with these 10 tips to help protect you online.

As your options for banking and purchasing online grow, so does your need to safeguard your privacy and security while using the internet on your personal computer, tablet or mobile device. FDIC Consumer News may be a helpful tool.

Online security can be as simple as frequently reviewing your accounts to stay on top of things and making sure you report any fraudulent transactions promptly. But what else should you do to stay safe online or when using a mobile device?

The following 10 online security tips can help you protect yourself and your money.

  1. Use strong passwords for all your accounts. A strong password (one that is not easily guessed by a human or computer) will have 8 or more characters, including letters, numbers and symbols. Make sure to use different user IDs and passwords for your financial accounts and for any other sites you use online.

  2. Don't use any part of your Social Security number (or any other sensitive info) as a password, user ID or personal identification number (PIN). If someone gains access to this information, it will be among the first things they use to try to get into your account.

  3. Don't respond to emails that claim to be from your bank (or any other company) requesting your account details. No bank is ever likely to approach you this way to ask for personal information.

  4. Be wary of email attachments and free software from unknown sources. You could end up exposing your computer (and the information on it) to online fraud and theft.

  5. Be mindful of how much personal information you share on social networking sites. The more you post about yourself, the easier it might be for someone to use the information you post to access your accounts, steal your identity and more. Maximizing your privacy settings on social networking sites can also help protect your personal information.

  6. Be careful about what (and where) you click online. Look for security-enabled website addresses that start with "https:" (the extra "s" indicates security). These sites take extra measures to help secure your information. Keep in mind that links you receive in emails or in messages on social networking sites can be harmful or fraudulent, even if they appear to come from friends. Requests for personal information or a call for immediate action are almost always a scam. If you suspect the link might give you a virus or steal personal data, don't click on it. Talk to the sender directly and make sure it came from them.

  7. Secure your smartphone with a screen lock. Many mobile devices give you the option of locking your screen with a password, helping you keep the data on your smartphone secure.

  8. Keep sensitive personal information and bank account numbers and passwords off of your phone.

  9. Think before you download apps to your your mobile or tablet devices. It's a good idea to review the privacy policy and understand what personal data an app can access.

  10. Keep your computer operating system, your internet browser and your mobile device software up to date with the latest security patches. For mobile devices, this may require synching with your computer. Also, be sure to use anti-virus and anti-spyware software: They help find and remove viruses and spyware that can steal your information.

By following these online and mobile security tips, you can help protect your personal information and help prevent it from getting into the wrong hands. If you suspect information related to your bank account has been compromised, contact your bank immediately for assistance addressing the issue.
With rapidly advancing technology, everyone is a potential target for identity theft. Whether you use a computer or mobile device for banking transactions, or still bank the old fashioned way, the following tips can help safeguard your personal and financial information.

10 TIPS TO REDUCE RISK OF IDENTITY THEFT


  1. Examine all financial records frequently and carefully for any unexplained charges, debits, credits, or other activity.

  2. Request copies of your credit report from all three main credit reporting bureaus: Equifax, Experian and TransUnion and examine them for any unexplained accounts opened in your name. Order a free copy of your credit report at Annual Credit Report.com.

  3. Don't give your personal or financial information to anyone unless there is a legitimate need.

  4. Never carry your Social Security card. Protect your Social Security Number, driver's license number, credit card numbers, account numbers, passwords, PIN, and other personal information. Do not keep any of these written down in your purse or wallet or stored in your smartphone.

  5. Set your smartphone to lock after an inactive period, requiring a password to unlock. This makes it difficult for would-be thieves to access your personal information.

  6. If you use banking or financial apps on your smartphone, do not enable the “remember User ID” or “remember password” options.

  7. Safeguard incoming and outgoing postal mail; thieves may try to steal credit card bills, offers, and other sensitive mail. If regular bills fail to reach you, call the biller and find out why. Put outgoing mail in a secure mailbox.

  8. Shred all unwanted mail that has identifying information, especially anything with a bar code or account number, such as subscription magazines.

  9. Secure financial records and information at home. Keep statements and checks secured, especially when having workers in your home.

  10. Utilize secure online bill payment and enroll in paperless statements and billing. It eliminates mail and garbage theft, eliminates the need to shred statements, checks, and invoices.

IF YOU ARE A VICTIM OF IDENTITY THEFT


  • Immediately notify all financial institutions where you have bank accounts, credit cards, debit/ATM cards, and other accounts. (Be prepared: Keep all toll-free numbers for these institutions, along with account numbers, in a safe place where you can find them quickly when needed.)

  • In consultation with your financial institutions, freeze or cancel all credit/debit/ATM cards immediately.

  • File a police report immediately, in the jurisdiction in which your identification was stolen. This shows credit providers you were diligent, and it is a first step toward an investigation.

  • File a complaint with the Federal Trade Commission.

  • Place a fraud alert with one of the three national credit reporting bureaus. This will let any company that checks your credit know your information was stolen, and they should contact you by phone before authorizing new credit. Note: Free fraud alerts may expire after 90 days; you may wish to consider purchasing an ongoing "security freeze" service with one of the credit bureaus.

IMPORTANT CONTACT INFORMATION


FEDERAL TRADE COMMISSION



CREDIT REPORTING AGENCIES



SOCIAL SECURITY ADMINISTRATION


Safe Social Networking


Always think about the way posted information on social media sites might enable identity theft, home burglary and social engineering attacks. Consider how your behavior on social media sites might affect your employer.

Social technologies introduce a number of threats, but below are the top four:

  • Mobile apps: There’s no guarantee that mobile apps are free of bugs or malware. Mobile malware is capable of obtaining any and all permissions on the infected device, sending SMS messages to premium phone numbers, stealing online banking credentials & downloading other malicious code without the user’s knowledge.

  • Social Engineering: Social media has taken this threat to a new level. People are more willing than ever to share personal information about themselves online, and social media platforms encourage a dangerous level of assumed trust.

  • Social Networking Sites: Sometimes hackers go right to the source, injecting malicious code into a social networking site, including inside advertisements, shortened URLs, and via third-party apps.

  • Users: It’s imperative that users understand how to safely navigate the internet.

To protect yourself, your family and your financial information, apply the following best practices to all your social networking accounts and activities.


When setting up your social networking account:

  • Choose a strong password. Make it longer than eight characters, include a variety of letters, numbers, and symbols, and change it regularly. Make sure you use different passwords for each of your online accounts.

  • Never save passwords in your browser. Browsers often ask if you’d like to save your password for easy access (so you don’t have to enter it on your next visit). Never ever save your passwords on your computer.

  • Never post information in your profile (or elsewhere) that could be used to confirm your identity. This includes home address, birth date, phone number, etc. An individual’s DOB and state of birth are enough to guess a SSN with great accuracy.

  • Turn off the bells & whistles. Disable options, then open them one by one.

  • Set up login alerts. To help protect your account, request an email from the site should someone try to login from an IP address other than yours.

  • Use your privacy settings to control who gets to see your posts and profile.

  • Turn off applications such as games & quizzes. If you choose to add applications, ensure you understand and control how much information you share with the application.

  • Enable secure browsing, or HTTPS when using social media sites from unsecured public networks such as those in airports, cafes or hotels. This encrypts the information you send and receive. (Look in the site’s security settings)

  • Get tips and advice on how to avoid threats from the site’s security/privacy page.


When engaging on social networking sites, follow these safety tips:

  • Be careful and use your best judgement when accepting friend requests. Only accept request from people you know. Cybercriminals create bogus profiles to propagate malware.

  • Show “limited friends” a cut down version of your profile. This can be useful if you have acquaintances to whom you do not wish to give full friend status.

  • Remove a connection to a friend that you are no longer comfortable with.

  • Block individuals if they are harassing you or if you just don’t want to be visible to them.

  • Report abuse. The most efficient way to do this is right where it occurs – in the social media site’s privacy settings.

  • Be careful where you click. Make sure to evaluate the potential costs/benefits of pop-ups, applications, and invites.

  • Don’t be an early adopter of a new app. Give the community time to discover the security weaknesses before you dive in.

  • Avoid suspicious-looking URLs. Make it a habit to mouse over links to identify the source and proceed with caution.

  • Never click on unsolicited links containing celebrity gossip, natural disasters, political scandals etc. Scammers quickly build malicious websites designed to trick users into installing malware or sending donations to replicated websites.

  • Never copy & paste a link into your address bar unless you know where the link goes. Doing so will bypass you browser’s security controls.

  • Never post your whereabouts or your vacation plans. You’re only helping burglars to plan their break-in.

  • Never give up your login credentials. Social engineers are equipped with enough information to trick you into believing the request is from a legitimate authority.

  • Ask permission before posting someone’s picture or publishing a conversation that was meant to be private.

  • Respect the law, including those laws governing defamation, discrimination, harassment and copyright.
  • Always keep your credit or debit card in a safe and secure place. Treat it as you would cash or checks. Contact The Bank of Milan immediately at (731) 686-2255 or if after hours you may call (888) 297-3416 or Telephone Banking: (731) 723-INFO or (731) 723-4636 if your card is lost or stolen, or if you suspect unauthorized use.

  • Do not send your card number through email, as it is typically not secure.

  • Do not give out your card number over the phone unless you initiated the call.

  • Regularly review your account statements as soon as you receive them to verify transactions. Contact The Bank of Milan immediately if you identify any discrepancies.

  • If you have forgotten your PIN or would like to select a new one, please contact a Customer Service Representative.

  • When selecting a PIN, don’t use a number or word that appears in your wallet, such as name, birth date, or phone number.

  • Ensure no one sees your PIN when you enter it. Memorize your PIN. Don’t write it down anywhere, especially on your card, and never share it with anyone.

  • Cancel and cut up unused credit and other cards. If you receive a replacement card, destroy your old card.

  • Shop with merchants you know and trust.

  • Make sure any internet purchase is secured with encryption to protect your account information. Look for secure transaction symbols such as a lock symbol in the lower right-hand corner of your web browser, or “https://…” in the address bar of the website. The “s” indicates "secured" and means the web page uses encryption.

  • Always log off from any website after a purchase transaction is made with your credit or debit card. If you cannot log off, shut down your browser to prevent unauthorized access to your account information.

  • Safe-keep or securely dispose of your transaction receipts.
Always be on alert and aware, because criminals will craft emails appearing to come from The Bank of Milan, or may call you posing as a Bank of Milan representative. The Bank of Milan will never call, text, or email you requesting personal information such as your name, social security number or account number. Criminals will attempt to contact you requesting this information for identity theft purposes.

If you receive a phone call, email, or text requesting personal identifiable information, or you are contacted suspiciously, do not provide any information, immediately disconnect or stop contact, and report the suspicious activity to The Bank of Milan.

  • Fraudulent Email: If you receive an email that appears to be fraudulently sent from The Bank of Milan, do not click on any links or reply to it. Immediately delete the email.

  • Suspicious Phone, Text or Email: Contact The Bank of Milan at 731-686-2255. Immediately contact The Bank of Milan if you believe your personal information has been compromised. File a customer complaint with the FTC: ReportFraud.ftc.gov

  • Report a Lost or Stolen Debit Card:
    • 1-866-546-8273
    • Telephone Banking: (731) 723-INFO or (731) 723-4636






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