Fraud Alert

When it comes to keeping your personal and financial information safe, it’s important to be proactive. Follow these tips to help protect yourself from fraud and identity theft.

Protect your Identity

Safeguard your personal and financial information so that it doesn’t fall into the wrong hands.

Protect your Accounts

There are many steps you can take to secure your checking, credit card, and debit card accounts. These tips can help get you started.

Checking and Security Tips

  • Report lost or stolen cards and checks immediately.
  • Review account statements carefully. Regular account review helps to quickly detect and stop fraudulent activity. Ask about suspicious charges.
  • Limit the amount of information on checks. Don’t print your Driver License number or Social Security number on your checks.
  • Store new and cancelled checks in a safe and secure location.
  • Carry your checkbook with you only when necessary.

Credit Card and Debit Card Security Tips

  • Always keep your credit or debit card in a safe and secure place. Treat it as you would cash or checks. Contact Peru Federal Savings Bank immediately at (815) 223-4300 if your card is lost or stolen, or if you suspect unauthorized use. After hours, contact 833-252-5765.
  • Do not send your card number through email, as it is typically not secure.
  • Do not give out your card number over the phone unless you initiated the call.
  • Regularly review your account statements as soon as you receive them to verify transactions. Contact Peru Federal Savings Bank immediately if you identify any discrepancies.
  • If you have forgotten your PIN or would like to select a new one, contact Peru Federal Savings Bank.
  • To protect your account, change your Personal Identification Number (PIN) every six months.
  • When selecting a PIN, don’t use a number or word that appears in your wallet, such as name, birth date or phone number.
  • Ensure no one sees your PIN when you enter it. Memorize your PIN. Don’t write it down anywhere, especially on your card, and never share it with anyone.
  • Cancel and cut up unused credit and other cards. If you receive a replacement card, destroy your old card.
  • Shop with merchants you know and trust.
  • Make sure any internet purchase is secured with encryption to protect your account information. Look for secure transaction symbols such as a lock symbol in the lower right-hand corner of your web browser, or “https://…” in the address bar of the website. The “s” indicates “secured” and means the web page uses encryption.
  • Always log off from any website after a purchase transaction is made with your credit or debit card. If you cannot log off, shut down your browser to prevent unauthorized access to your account information.
  • Safe-keep or securely dispose of your transaction receipts.

Be Safe Online and on your Mobile Device

  • Whether you’re sending emails, shopping online, using social media or just surfing the internet, it’s important to keep your account information and identity secure. Follow these tips to avoid compromising your information.

Online Security Tips

  • Do not use your Social Security number as a username or password.
  • Change your usernames and passwords regularly and use combinations of letters, numbers and special characters such as “#” and “@.”
  • Protect your online passwords. Don’t write them down or share them with anyone.
  • Protect your answers to security questions. Do not write down or share your answers with anyone.
  • Use secure websites for transactions and shopping. Shop with merchants you trust. Make sure internet purchases are secured with encryption to protect your account. Look for secure transaction signs like a lock symbol in the lower right-hand corner of your browser or “https” in the address bar.
  • Social media is increasingly popular, but it’s a good idea to keep certain personal information private. Avoid sharing personal details that are used by financial institutions to identify you, such as your birth date, home address, mother’s maiden name, schools attended/mascots and pet’s name. Fraudsters may use this type of information to help gain access to an account since they are common answers to security questions.
  • Always carefully review the privacy options for any social network you join.
  • The privacy options and tools for social networks can be complex and should be reviewed carefully so that there is no disclosure of information you meant to remain private.

Email Security Tips

  • Be wary of suspicious emails. Never open attachments, click on links or respond to emails from suspicious or unknown senders.
  • If you receive a suspicious email that you think is a phish, do not respond or provide any information.

Mobile Security Tips

When you use a mobile device for browser or text-based account access, keep these tips in mind:

  • Use the keypad lock or phone lock function on your mobile device when it is not in use. These functions password-protect your device to make it more difficult for someone else to view your information.
  • Frequently delete text messages from your financial institution, especially before loaning out, discarding or selling your mobile device.
  • Keep your account numbers, passwords, Social Security number and date of birth private. Never share your personal or financial information in a text message, phone call or email.
  • Avoid storing your banking password or other sensitive information on your smartphone or in an app where it could be discovered if your phone is stolen.
  • When you finish banking online, always log off.
  • Keep your mobile operating system up to date to ensure the highest level of protection. Before downloading an update to your mobile device be sure to go to the company’s website to confirm the update is legitimate.
  • Be cautious when using public hotspots. Carefully consider your Wi-Fi and
  • Bluetooth connection settings, even at a trusted retailer, as fraudsters can spoof the name of reputable hotspots.

Computer Security Tips

  • Avoid downloading programs from unknown sources.
  • Ensure your computer operating system, software, browser version and plug-ins are current. Before downloading an update to your computer program, first go to the company’s website to confirm the update is legitimate. Install a personal firewall on your computer and keep anti-virus software installed and updated.
  • Be wary of conducting online banking activities on computers that are shared by others. Public computers should be used with caution. Online banking activities and viewing or downloading documents (statements, etc.) should be conducted, when possible, on a computer you know to be safe and secure.
  • Configure your devices to prevent unauthorized users from remotely accessing your devices or home network. For example, if you use a home wireless router for your home internet connection, follow the manufacturer’s recommendations to configure the router with appropriate security settings.