Electronic Banking Safety Tips

Treat your card like cash. Always store your card in a safe place.

Keep your PIN a secret. ATM transactions and PIN debit purchases require the use of a secret code known as a personal identification number or PIN. Memorize your PIN, and never write it on your card or store it with your card. Never let someone else enter your PIN for you.

Do not disclose information about your card over the telephone. No company or individual needs to know your PIN…not even your financial institution. If you perform transactions over the telephone using your ATM or debit card, never disclose your PIN.

Never disclose information about your card in response to an unsolicited e-mail or request. E-mail is a common channel for fraud perpetration. Never provide your debit or credit card number, PIN or any other non-public personal information to any entity in response to an unsolicited e-mail or request. Your financial institution will never ask you for your PIN.

Make certain your Internet shopping sites are secure. Look for secure transaction symbols when shopping online to ensure your account information is protected. Always log off from any site after you make a purchase. If you can’t log off, shut down your browser to prevent unauthorized access to your account information.

Protect your card’s magnetic stripe. Do not expose your card’s magnetic stripe to magnetic objects. Magnetic objects can damage your card.

Report a lost or stolen card at once. Immediately call your financial institution if your card is lost or stolen to reduce the chance that it will be used improperly. Immediate notice of lost or stolen cards will also limit your potential liability for unauthorized transactions.

Review your account statements for unauthorized transactions. Review all account statements from your financial institution promptly, and report any errors (including transactions you believe may be unauthorized) as soon as possible. Prompt notification will limit your potential liability for unauthorized transactions.