Years ago, a bank’s number one concern was the physical security of its buildings and other tangible assets.  Today, the number one concern for any bank is protecting customer information, such as social security numbers and bank account information, and preventing identity theft.  Identity theft is on the rise and occurs when your personal information is used by criminals to steal money from your accounts, open new credit cards, apply for loans, rent apartments, and to commit various other crimes all by using your identity.  This can damage your credit and leave you with unwanted bills and countless hours of frustration trying to clear your name. 

Please be aware that we at Surety Bank will never request personal information via email.  The bank will never email you requesting personal information such as social security numbers or account information.  If you are ever unsure about a telephone call, email, or letter, please refuse to give out any information and contact us immediately.

If you ever become a victim of identity theft or account fraud, you should immediately notify us.  We will work with you to do all we can to avoid any future identity theft or account fraud and to attempt to correct any unauthorized transactions.  After contacting us, you should follow these steps:

• Call the fraud departments of all three major credit bureaus.  Ask them to put a “fraud alert” on your file.  This will alert creditors to call you before they open any more accounts in your name.
  • Equifax 1-800-525-6285
  • Experian 1-888-397-3742
  • TransUnion 1-800-680-7289
• Contact your local police department and file a fraud report.  Even if the police can’t catch the identity thief, having this report can help you clear your credit records later on.
• File a complaint with the Federal Trade Commission (FTC).  Call the FTC’s identity theft hotline at 1-877-438-4338.  The hotline is staffed with counselors trained to help victims and take their complaints.  You may also file a complaint online at www.consumer.gov/idtheft .
• Complete the identity theft affidavit, which will assist you in reporting to many companies that a new account has been opened in your name.  Obtain a copy of the identity theft affidavit by clicking the following link: http://www.ftc.gov/bcp/edu/resources/forms/affidavit.pdf.

Our goal is to help all of our customers avoid any identity theft and account fraud before it ever happens.  If you would like more information on this subject please visit any of the following sources:

• U.S. Department of the Treasury’s Office of the Comptroller of the Currency at www.occ.treas.gov/consumer/PhishBrochFINAL-SCREEN.pdf
• Federal Trade Commission’s (FTC) consumer website at www.consumer.gov/idtheft
• Call the FTC toll-free at 1(877) IDTHEFT (438-4338)

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