Consumer Protection and Education
Current and Previous Headlines
Fraud Alert - IRS (Current)
Local Telephone Scam (November/December 2007)
Don't Be Fooled
Computer users are being tricked into giving out personal information over the Internet, with some of them becoming identity theft victims. One of the best ways to prevent identity theft is user education. The information below will help you from becoming a victim online.
One of the newest threats to information security is called "phishing." The scheme is called "phishing" because it is just like fishing. The hackers throw enticements in your face and hope you will take the bait. The enticements include false e-mails or websites that use financial institution, government or company logos, slogans, color schemes, etc. asking you to verify personal information. Once you take the bait, they reel in your personal account information and use your information for their personal gain.
Many familiar companies and their customers have become phishing victims. Investors Community Bank WILL NEVER ASK YOU FOR SENSITIVE, PERSONAL INFORMATION OVER THE INTERNET OR THROUGH E-MAIL. If you receive any requests for this information, and are unsure whether or not it is legitimate, please call Investors Community Bank to verify you have received official Bank business.
Some simple tips to help outwit ID thieves:
1. Never directly respond to e-mail asking for personal information.
2. If you doubt a message's authenticity, verify it by contacting the institution itself.
3. Avoid spoofed sites by entering the Web addresses directly into the browser yourself or by using bookmarks you create.
4. When prompted for a password, give an incorrect one first. A phishing site will accept it; a legitimate one won't.
5. A secure Web site gives you more assurance. To see whether a site is secure, look at the bottom of your browser's window for an icon of an unbroken key or a lock that's closed, golden, or glowing. Double-click on the lock to display the site's certificate, and make sure it matches the company you think you are connected to.
You Have The Power To Stop Identity Theft (PDF Brochure, 80KB) *(1)
The Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve Board, along with many other government agencies, has created a 2-page document that will help inform and provide helpful resources for combating Identity Theft. (You will need Adobe Acrobat Reader to view this document). You can click the italicized title above, or you can click HERE.
Some Helpful Links
The Consumer Protection Agency, a Federal Trade Commission (FTC) agency, provides valuable information regarding various types of fraud you might encounter. Investors Community Bank selected the following links to help you protect your information and privacy. All links are directly available from: http://www.ftc.gov/bcp/consumer.shtm
How Not to Get Hooked by A ‘Phishing’ Scam (requires Adobe Acrobat Reader)
http://www.ftc.gov/bcp/edu/pubs/consumer/alerts/alt127.pdf
Privacy: Tips For Protecting Your Personal Information (requires Adobe Acrobat Reader)
http://www.ftc.gov/bcp/edu/pubs/consumer/alerts/alt106.pdf
Notice: By clicking on any of the links above, you will be leaving the Investors Community Bank website. Investors Community Bank has no responsibility or control over the subject matter, content, information, or graphics of the web sites linked here. Please contact the bank with any concerns or comments.
*(1) Investors Community Bank does not represent, warrant or guarantee that the integrity of these files have been maintained nor that the files are free of errors, viruses or interference.
