Online Banking Security

What is Identity Theft?
Identity theft is the fastest growing crime in America.

What is phishing?
Phishing is the use of an email scam in which identity thieves send emails to bank customers asking them to “verify” information or otherwise divulge personal data.

Protect Your Identity

Pierce Commercial Bank never sends emails requesting personal information.
We will never ask you to “verify” or collect personal information, PINs or passwords via email or any pop up on our web site. We will never ask you to click on a special site link to do so. While emails of this nature may look like they are from us, and even use our logo, they are most likely a “phishing” scam. Do not answer them. If you receive an email purporting to be from us, please contact the bank to confirm it.
Do not provide any information through either of these methods. If you have entered your personal or sensitive information through either of these methods, contact the bank immediately.

How to protect yourself.
Never give out personal information over the phone, through the mail or over the internet unless you initiate the contact or know the person you're dealing with.

  • Shred all financial receipts before throwing them away
  • Shred unused credit card offers
  • Protect your PINs and passwords for your accounts, memorize them, never write them down
  • Pay attention to your statements and billing
  • Protect your mail
  • Check your credit report from all 3 reporting agencies regularly
  • Keep your computer up to date
  • Install a firewall, anti-virus, anti spyware programs on your computer and keep them up to date

What to do if you fall victim:
Contact your financial institution immediately.

If you have disclosed sensitive information in a phishing attack, you should also contact one of the three major credit bureaus and discuss whether you need to place a fraud alert on your file, which will help prevent thieves from opening a new account in your name. Here is the contact information for each bureau’s fraud division:

Equifax
800-525-6285
P.O. Box 740250
Atlanta, GA 30374

Experian
888-397-3742
P.O. Box 1017
Allen, TX 75013

TransUnion
800-680-7289
P.O. Box 6790
Fullerton, CA 92634

Report all suspicious contacts to the Federal Trade Commission through the Internet at
http://www.ftc.gov/bcp/edu/microsites/idtheft/, or by calling 1-877-IDTHEFT.