Account fraud is one of the fastest growing crimes in the nation. Bay Cities has safeguards to help prevent and detect account fraud, but it is your knowledge, awareness and alertness that are the first and most important lines of defense.

Below are a list of websites where you can get the facts and educate yourself about check scams, internet fraud, and counterfeit money orders.

• National Consumers League provides you with warnings on consumer check scams here for more details. For additional information on spotting fake checks, go to www.fakechecks.org.
• Additional tips to help educate yourself on avoiding check scams.
• OnGuardOnline lists some practical tips from the federal government and the technology industry to help you be on guard against internet fraud.
• The FBI lists additional tips.
• Money Orders scams can be found here.

Remember, today account fraud can come in many forms:

• Checking Account Fraud
• Credit Card Fraud
• Identity Theft
• Electronic Account Fraud
• Internet Fraud

Today's interconnected, electronic and high-tech environment make it possible for criminals to perpetrate sophisticated and elaborate schemes to rob unsuspecting people of their money. For example, inexpensive computer technology and improved printers make it easier than ever for thieves to set up a fraudulent check operation.

What You Can Do

The first, and most important step in preventing account fraud is through careful and diligent safeguarding of your account information. You can play a big part in this effort -- do not treat your confidential information casually or provide it to unknown parties, especially to solicitations received by phone. Be extra vigilant in protecting your account numbers, credit card numbers and receipts, personal identification numbers (PINs), computer passwords, social security numbers and personal information, including IDs.

Minimize Your Risks

• Protect your account and personal information -- never respond to unsolicited requests for this information, whether it’s over the phone, through the mail or via the internet.
• Online, only provide your credit card number on a secure Web page, which is identified by a small lock (that is locked) in the lower right corner of your browser.
• Use a single credit card, with a low credit limit for Internet purchases.
• Do not send credit card information via e-mail or instant messaging as they are not secure.
• Do not have confidential information preprinted on your checks.
• Report any lost or stolen credit cards or checks to the issuing institution immediately so that stop-payments can be made on them.
• Shred any documents containing confidential information, including unused checks (even if the account has been closed), ATM receipts, and old credit card receipts, before disposal.
• Review all account and credit card statements as soon as possible to determine that no account irregularities are apparent.
• Notify your Credit Union if newly ordered checks, regular statements or renewed credit cards do not arrive in a timely manner. A missing statement may mean someone has changed your billing address to prevent you from seeing fraudulent transactions.
• Deposit outgoing mail directly into post office boxes, not in your own mailbox. If you are going on vacation, place a delivery hold on your mail.
• Carry a minimum number of ID and credit cards. Never carry your social security card, PIN numbers or passwords in your wallet or purse. Make copies of all items maintained in your purse or wallet.
• Cancel and destroy any credit cards that you don’t need or use. View your credit report at least once a year.

Where to turn for Help

Always contact your Credit Union or affected financial institutions immediately as soon as you learn you have been a victim of account fraud. In most cases this will limit or eliminate the amount for which you might otherwise be liable on your loss.

Additional information about fraud is available from:

• The National Check Fraud Center at www.ckfraud.org or 843-571-2143
• The US government’s central Web site on Identity Theft at www.consumer.gov/idtheft
• There are other websites that may alert you to the possibility that your credit card number is about to be used for fraudulent purposes. One such company is Card Cops at www.cardcops.com.

For more information on account fraud, contact us at 510-690-6100.