Don't Be an On-line Victim: How to Guard Against Internet Thieves
and Electronic Scams

The Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) today released an on-line multimedia education tool that consumers can use to learn how to better protect their computers and themselves from identity thieves. The presentation also features actions consumers can take if their personal information has been compromised. Identity theft continues to be one of the fastest growing crimes in the United States, and has ranked as one of the top consumer concerns for the past several years. Identity theft is evolving in more complicated ways that make it harder for consumers to protect themselves, and easier for criminals to set up virtual storefronts on the Internet to sell confidential personal information.

Some of the steps outlined in the presentation that consumers can take to help safeguard their computers and their personal information from identity theft are: never provide personal information in response to an unsolicited telephone or Internet request; never provide a password over the phone or in response to an unsolicited Internet request; review account statements regularly to ensure all charges and transactions are correct; and use a firewall and anti-virus and spyware protection software.

One of the more frustrating aspects if identity theft occurs is restoring your good name and credit. If consumers either suspect that their personal information has been compromised, or have been victimized by identity thieves, they should: contact the fraud department at one of the three major credit bureaus and ask that a fraud alert be placed in their file at all three companies; review their credit reports periodically and carefully and look for inconsistencies or red flags such as accounts they didn't open; debts they can't explain or inquiries from companies they haven't contacted, contact the companies where the fraudulent activity occurred, and follow up any telephone calls in writing; file a police report with local police or the police department in the community where the crime took place and keep a copy of the report; and file a complaint with the Federal Trade Commission.

 


FDIC Warning E-mail Scam
 Click to View a Multimedia Presentation from The FDIC to learn how to better protect yourself from identity theft.

The Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) has been notified that consumers have received e-mails that appear to the reader to be related to banking activities. The fraudulent e-mails request that the recipients respond to a notice from their bank to confirm an online payment to be made for products purchased. The link contained within the e-mail serves as a gateway to the fraudulent Web site. The fraudulent Web site is designed to look like a page from the FDIC's authentic Web page, where the individual is then directed to provide sensitive financial and personal information, such as bank or credit card account numbers.

The use of this type of e-mail scam, seeking to obtain sensitive information from individuals, is referred to as "phishing." The FDIC provides information on its Web site that explains more about phishing and other types of fraudulent activity targeting consumers at http://www.fdic.gov/consumers/consumer/alerts/index.html The information on this site also provides consumers with tips on protecting personal information from these types of scams.

This alert is intended to warn consumers that the fraudulent e-mail, which could also possibly contain a computer virus, was not sent by the FDIC. Financial institutions and consumers are warned NOT to access the link or submit personal information through this site. Additionally, as a reminder to all consumers, the FDIC strongly recommends that individuals safeguard personal information and refrain from responding to any unsolicited request for personal information. The FDIC was established by Congress in 1933 to maintain stability and public confidence in the nation's financial system.

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Third party web sites may have privacy and security policies different from Brickyard Bank. Links to other web sites do not imply the endorsement or approval of such web sites. Please review the privacy and security policies of web sites reached through links from Brickyard Banks web sites.

Please be advised that Brickyard Bank does not ask for your personal, financial, or account information via email or pop-up window. If you receive an email or pop-up requesting such information, please do not respond and never click on a link contained in a suspicious email. If you suspect you're a victim of Identity Theft, report the fraud immediately.