Identity theft is the taking of a victim’s identity, usually with
the intent to obtain credit or steal money.
What do I need to know about Identity Theft?
Identifying valid requests for your personal information and
protecting your identity are not easy tasks. However, being
familiar with the businesses you deal with and understanding the
type of information they collect from you will help.
It is important to read the privacy policy on the websites you
visit online. Bank of Ocean City’s privacy policy
is available on our website.
You should also be aware of some common tactics used to gain
your personal information such as Email Spoofing, Phishing and
Dumpster Diving.
- Email Spoofing is a technique used by fraudsters to disguise
the true identity of an email to make the message appear as
though it was sent from a known source. Many times spoofed
emails will have serious subject lines which entice you to open
the email. Common subject lines used in many spoofed emails will
reference an urgent message for you, a threat of termination of
an account or a need to verify your identity for “security
purposes”. Fraudsters are able to spoof website addresses as
well. You may believe a link in a spoofed email is valid but
clicking on the link may take you to a false website or a
website infected with a virus or other malicious code.
- Phishing occurs when victims are tricked into divulging
confidential information to a fraudster. Reviewing the privacy
policy of the businesses you deal with will help you decide how
much personal information to divulge. For example, many
fraudsters use emails with a spoofed log-on screen or a link to
a spoofed website inviting you to enter your personal
information in an attempt to “verify your identity”. Most
privacy policies will address the methods the business may
employ when verifying your identity and may help you decide if a
request for your personal information is valid.
- Dumpster Diving is the physical removal of your personal
information which is usually found on documents thrown in the
trash. Most cross-cut shredders will make documents illegible
and much safer to dispose of in the trash than un-shredded
documents. For documents you choose to save and place into
storage, it is important to ensure those documents are located
in a safe environment.
What steps can I take to help protect my identity?
Review the privacy policy of businesses you deal with.
Periodically review your credit report with the three major
credit reporting agencies: Equifax,
Experian, and
TransUnion.
Cross-cut shred all documents containing personal information
before tossing them in with your garbage.
Review account statements and bills and make sure each
transaction listed matches your records.
Use caution on the internet to avoid spoofed emails and
websites.
Avoid being caught in a phishing scheme by declining to release
unnecessary personal information to those who do not need to
know the information.
When should I contact Bank of Ocean City?
Please let us know if you have a question or concern about the
security of your relationship with us.
If you ever have reason to believe the security of your
account number, Online Advantage Access ID, password, Visa Debit
Card or Visa Debit Card PIN has been compromised, please contact
us immediately at one of our branch
locations.
Contact a Bank of Ocean City Officer or Manager immediately if
you have been approached online, on the phone or even in person
by someone representing Bank of Ocean City but attempting to
gain your personal information and have a reason to suspect the
encounter was not official Bank of Ocean City business.
What should I do if I suspect my identity has been stolen?
As soon as you believe you have become a victim of Identity
Theft you can refer to the
Federal Trade Commission or
Better Business Bureau websites for additional support including the
steps necessary for reporting Identity Theft.
