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Fraud Prevention
The information provided below is Liberty Savings Bank’s effort to make you aware of some of the techniques thieves may use to acquire your sensitive, personal data. This information is not meant to represent an exhaustive review of current and/or future fraud methods, but is provided solely to alert you to common fraudulent activities that occur and some of the methods you can use to protect yourself against criminals obtaining your personal data.
Telephone Fraud
This fraud mechanism has been around for many years and can still be effective. However, it is also relatively simple to avoid. In telephone fraud, the caller will attempt to obtain your sensitive information in order to utilize it for his or her own financial gain. Simply remember to never provide personal information until you have verified the true identity of the caller, including name and telephone number.
Liberty Savings Bank will never ask you to disclose sensitive information such as passwords and Personal Identification Numbers (PINS) over the telephone or by email. If you are concerned or question a recent telephone conversation with someone stating they represent Liberty Savings Bank, call or visit your local financial center or call our FreedomLine staff at 1-800-436-6300. Ask our staff to verify the information discussed. If you have the name and phone number of the caller, we can easily confirm this information.
Enhanced Online Security for Online Banking
It used to be typical for banks to use an access ID and password to identify customers attempting to log into online applications such as Online Banking. But now, all websites that provide personal, confidential information to a customer are required to use additional means to identify a customer. When you enroll in online banking, you will be asked to select security challenge questions, an authentication image, a pass phrase, and be asked to register your computer.
To find out more about Enhanced Online Security, click here to view a presentation.
Email and Web Fraud
Incidents of email and web fraud are growing at a phenomenal rate. “Phishing “(pronounced fishing), “spoofing”, or “middleman” are a few techniques used where you receive an email that appears to be legitimate. For example, you might receive an email that appears to have come from your bank. It looks official, and even the logo looks authentic. This email will ask you to “update” your personal information by directing you to a phony website that, again, appears to be very “official.” If you follow the email instructions, you expose your confidential information to the thief, who then has everything he needs to perform illegal activities.
If you enter the fake website, it is also possible for the thief to deposit a virus or Spyware on your computer system. You are probably aware of the damage a virus can do, and Spyware can be just as devastating. Spyware is a small program that monitors your activity on your computer and provides the crook a window into your computer.
Through our Enhance Online Security service, we have made it easy for you to tell if you logging into a legitimate Liberty Savings Bank website. When logging in, you will first input your Access ID. You will then be taken to a screen to input your password. On this screen, you should also see your authentication image and pass phrase. If you do not see these, the site you are logging into may not be a legitimate Liberty Savings Bank site. Contact customer service immediately at 1-800-436-6300.
To find out more about Enhanced Online Security, click here to view a presentation.
Precautionary Measures
To keep your personal information from ending up in the wrong hands, it is important to remember these preventative measures:
- Always review your bank and credit card statements immediately after you receive them for unauthorized activity.
- Never open an email from an unknown or unexpected sender. Just Delete!
- Bookmark your internet contacts and use this method to navigate to legitimate websites.
- Never click on a provided link in an email. If you must navigate to that site, use your bookmark or type the link into your browser.
- If you receive a notice that “your account may be disabled if you do not respond,” use your trusted contact measures (telephone or bookmarks) to validate before providing sensitive information.
- When sharing personal information on a website, always look for the padlock symbol in the browser status bar at located at the bottom of the browser window. If this is not present, the transmission will occur over a less secure connection.
- When logging into online banking, always look for your authentication image and pass phrase on the password entry screen.
- Look for the presence of an “@” symbol anywhere in the URL. This is usually indicative of a fraudulent website.
- If someone asks you to assist in the distribution of money from another country, there is a good chance that the money will not arrive.
- If selling property via the internet such as a car, boat, jewelry, etc., be very cautious with checks sent to you in payment for the item(s) and ask yourself these questions:
- Is the amount of the check more than the selling price of the item?
- Have you been instructed to "wire" funds out of the country as soon as possible?
- Is the check from an individual you have communicated with via email?
- Is the check drawn on a business or individual different from the person buying your item or product?
- Be suspicious of anyone who tells you, either by telephone or email, that you are the winner in a lottery that you did not enter. Do not give them additional personal or financial information. If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is!
What to do? Who to notify?
Report suspicious activity to the Federal Trade Commission. If you receive fraudulent emails, send them to uce@ftc.gov. If you suspect you have been scammed, file a complaint at www.ftc.gov and visit the Identity Theft Web site at www.ftc.gov/idtheft to learn more about protecting your information.
In addition, you are entitled to a free copy of your credit report from the three major credit-reporting agencies. To get your free copy, go to www.annualcreditreport.com/cra/index.jsp.
Your Liberty Account
If you have received an unusual email or phone call, or discover a potentially harmful event that involves your Liberty account, email us at abuse@libertysavingsbank.com, visit your local financial center, or call FreedomLine at 1-800-436-6300.
Online Resources
For more information on Fraud Prevention, visit the websites listed below:
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