Cyber Security & Fraud Prevention Thumb Bank & Trust

Cyber Security & Fraud Prevention

Customer's Guide to Cybersecurity

Consumers increasingly rely on computers and the Internet for everything from shopping and communicating to banking and bill paying. While the benefits of faster and more convenient "cyber" services are clear, the strategies for preventing online fraud and theft may not be as well-known by many bank customers. That is why the FDIC has produced a special edition of the agency's quarterly FDIC Consumer News entitled "A Bank Customer's Guide to Cybersecurity." 

Safety precautions to take before connecting to the Internet with a personal computer, laptop, smartphone or tablet: The lead article discusses ways to protect log-in information for bank accounts and other financial accounts, including the use of "strong" user IDs and passwords that will be hard for a hacker to guess, basic security measures such as security software updates, and the need to be careful where and how to connect to the Internet. Other articles focus on security measures when using a smartphone or tablet (including "auto lock" features and the ability to remotely remove data if a mobile device is lost or stolen), how to protect computers from malicious software ("malware") that can steal valuable personal financial information, and ideas to help small businesses protect against losses from cyber attacks.

Fraud Alerts

Three national credit reporting companies keep records of your credit history. If someone has misused your personal or financial information, call one of the companies and ask for an initial fraud alert on your credit report. If you're concerned about identity theft, but haven't yet become a victim, you can also place an initial fraud alert.  For example, you may want to place a fraud alert if your wallet, Social Security card, or other personal, financial or account information are lost or stolen. You may also want to place a fraud alert if your personal information was exposed in a data breach. A fraud alert is free. The company you call must tell the other companies about your alert.

TransUnion 1-800-680-7289

Experian 1-888-397-3742

Equifax 1-800-525-6285

An initial fraud alert can make it harder for an identity thief to open more accounts in your name. When you have an alert on your report, a business must verify your identity before it issues credit, so it may try to contact you. The initial alert stays on your report for at least 90 days. You can renew it after 90 days. It allows you to order one free copy of your credit report from each of the three credit reporting companies. Be sure the credit reporting companies have your current contact information so they can get in touch with you.

Thumb Bank & Trust has become aware that several customers have received calls from a party purporting to be from the bank investigating a fraudulent transaction.

The party is requesting debit card and PIN number information.

Please be advised that Thumb Bank & Trust's Fraud Protection department will NEVER ask for your debit card number or PIN information.

These contacts are attempts to gather information to create fraudulent transactions in an effort to steal deposit account funds. If you have been contacted by anyone claiming to be from Thumb Bank & Trust or one of our service providers, contact the Pigeon Office of Thumb Bank & Trust at 989-453-3113 to discuss possible risk associated with the contact.

Debit Card Fraud Monitoring

In the event there are unusual attempts or transactions on your Debit card, you may receive a call from our fraud prevention department or a bank representative. Your card may be placed on hold for your protection until the transaction(s) can be verified. This service is designed to call customers whenever there is a question of potentially fraudulent activity on a Thumb Bank & Trust debit card. If you miss a call from the fraud prevention system you can reach them at 800-262-2024. If you receive a call and are unsure if it is our fraud prevention department, please call our toll free number during regular business hours.

If you have recently changed your phone number, please use our contact us form to have your record updated. This will help us to provide the best customer service we can.

Lost or Stolen Debit Cards

If your Thumb Bank & Trust Debit Card has been lost or stolen please call us immediately. 

During regular business hours call 1-866-862-3113.

After hours, call 1-800-472-3272.

 

Lost or Stolen VISA© Credit Cards

If your VISA Credit card has been lost or stolen please call 1-800-558-3424 immediately. 

 

Online Security Tips

You can help protect yourself against online fraud and identity theft by following these guidelines:

Email

  • Be alert for scam emails. They may appear to come from a trusted business or friend but are actually designed to trick you into downloading a virus or jumping to a fraudulent web site to disclose sensitive or personal information.
  • Do not reply to any email that requests your personal information. Be very suspicious of any email from a business or person that asks for highly sensitive or personal information.
  • Never send personal information via email. Regular emails are not encrypted.
  • If an email contains an attachment, do not open it.
  • Be cautious when clicking on a link in an email as it may not be trustworthy. To check the ownership of the destination page, open a browser and manually type in the URL provided in the email. If you click on the link, make sure the Web address appearing in your browser after clicking on the link is related to the email sender.
  • Stay informed.

Online Security

  • If you suspect the site is not what it claims to be, leave it immediately. Do not follow any of the instructions it presents.
  • Only do business with the companies you know and trust.
  • Be aware! Phony "look-alike" web sites are designed to trick consumers and collect their personal information. Make sure the sites you transact business on post their privacy and security statements, and review them carefully.
  • Do not provide sensitive personal or financial information unless it is encrypted on a secure web site, and you have initiated the transaction.
  • Make sure the web site is certified with a digital security certificate. To view, click on the closed lock or solid key image located in the bottom bar of your browser window. A small frame with site security information will appear. Click the word 'Subject' for Internet Explorer to verify you are on the correct Web site, and make sure the registered owner matches the site. To verify the site certification authority, click the 'Issuer' tab. For Netscape, click on "View Certificate" to view subject and issuer details.
  • Choose passwords or Personal Identification Numbers (PINs) that are difficult for others to guess, and use a different password for each of your Internet accounts, and change them frequently. Use both letters and numbers and a combination of lower and upper case letters if the passwords are case sensitive.