Identity Theft According to the Federal Trade Commission's website, approximately nine million Americans are a victim of identity theft each year. It is very possible that someone you know has been a victim. Basically, identity theft occurs when someone you know or don't know uses your personal identification information such as your name, Social Security number or your credit card number without your permission to commit a fraud or a financial crime. Such crimes could involve an unauthorized purchase using your credit card; taking out a mortgage or other type of loan in your name; or establishing a cell phone account in your name. Besides the financial loss that could occur, some victims of identity theft may lose out on a job opportunity or are denied loans for new cars, education or buying a home.  Identity thieves will steal your personal information by using any one of a variety of methods.  See below how an ounce of prevention could possibly prevent these methods from being used to steal your personal information: Dumpster Diving The identity thieves will search your mailbox, your trash can, a dumpster or a trash bin for any credit card solicitations, credit card or bank statements, copies of your checks or any other type of record that contains your name and personal information. Prevention Shred all credit card solicitations, ATM receipts and other financial documents before discarding.  Report lost or stolen checks immediately.  Never leave outgoing mail in your mailbox. Phishing This is a high-tech scam that uses spam or pop-up web messages to deceive you into disclosing your personal information.  The Phishers (pronounced fishers) send an e-mail or pop-up message that claims to be from a business or organization that you deal with, example: a government agency, your bank, a retailer, etc.  The message usually says that you need to "update" or "validate" your account information, directing you to a website that looks legitimate, but isn't. Prevention If you get an e-mail or a pop-up message that asks for personal or financial information, do not reply or click on the link in the message.  Remember, that legitimate companies do not ask for this information via e-mail.  Just delete the message.  If you have concerns that something may be wrong with your account, you can use a phone number or e-mail address that you know to be genuine. Pretext Calling This became a federal crime in 1999.  The identity thief calls, claiming to work for your bank, asking for your account number to verify information.  It's also possible the identity thief will call your bank posing as you, using information stolen from your mailbox or online.  With the stolen information, the identity thief can take over your account, open accounts at other institutions, and move funds out of your account. Prevention You should monitor your regular credit card and bank statements to ensure they arrive safely.  Do not give any bank account information or your Social Security number over the phone unless you initiated the call.   Pharming The primary victims are ISPs (Internet Service Providers) that are attacked by hackers.  The "pharmers" then lay in wait for the ISP customers' passwords and account numbers.  Identity thieves redirect a consumer to an imposter web page (even when the individual types the correct address into his browser) by changing  - or "poisoning" - some of the address information ISPs store. From there, they use the same technique as Phishers. Prevention Check with your ISP and ask if they are protected against DNS cache poisoning.  Also, the regular encryption tools in your browser will usually spot frauds. Evil Twins These are the little wireless networks that pretend to offer Wi-Fi connections to the Internet like those available at some coffee shops, hotels and conferences.  On a laptop screen, an evil-twin Wi-Fi hotspot can look identical to one of the tens of thousands of legitimate public networks that consumers log onto every day.  Sometimes consumers copy the sign-in page. That's just a front, and scammers who set up the connections attempt to capture any passwords or credit card numbers from consumers using the link. Prevention It's recommended that you turn off your Wi-Fi card when using your laptop offline in public.  When you are using it, keep up-to-date protection software that automatically checks a Wi-Fi network's digital ID certificate.  If you believe you are a victim identity theft, please see any of one our branches for a free information booklet titled "Taking Charge, What To Do If Your Identity Is Stolen".  This booklet is written by the Federal Trade Commission and provides a  tremendous amount of useful information.  These booklets are available in English or in Spanish. How to Protect Yourself From Identity Theft, Online Fraud  and Telephone Fraud   1.  Never provide personal or financial information (i.e. social security numbers, account        numbers, etc.) to unsolicited e-mail, phone or pop-up website requests.   2.  Type website addresses into internet browsers instead of clicking on links in e-mails.   3.  Change passwords and PINs every 30 to 60 days.   4.  Keep anti-virus software on your computers up to date.   5.  Review your credit reports annually, and report and correct mistakes.             The three major credit bureaus are:                  Equifax: 1-800-525-6285                  Experian: 1-888-397-3742                  TransUnion: 1-800-680-7289   6.  Do not leave ATM, debit card or credit card receipts in public trash cans.  These items        should be torn up or shredded if you no longer need them.   7.  If a monthly bank statement or bill is missing, contact the service provider immediately.         It's possible someone may have changed your mailing address.   8.  Only carry credit cards you need and never carry your social security card, passport or birth        certificate unless you need it that day.   9.  Don't write PIN numbers on ATM cards. 10.  Don't write your social security number or credit card number on checks. Eaton National Bank does not send e-mails or make telephone calls soliciting customers or requesting personal information. 11 Habits of Check-Fraud Free Banking Customers   1.  Never respond to unsolicited requests for your checking account, Social Security number        or other financial information.   2.  Safeguard checks at home and on your person: never leave them in your car or your        workplace.   3.  Shred unused checks before disposal, even if they are from a closed account.   4.  Destroy convenience checks, such as those that allow cash advances on credit cards,        before discarding.   5.  Never have your Social Security or drivers' license number preprinted on your checks.   6.  When mailing checks, use a security or heavy envelope or wrap checks in paper to conceal        them from view.   7.  Notify Eaton National Bank and the U.S. Postal Service authorities if newly ordered checks        or routine bank statements don't arrive in a timely manner.   8.  Know how many checks you ordered; verify your order and the accuracy of the information        on your checks.   9.  Immediately notify Eaton National Bank and file a police report if personal checks, or any        checks payable to you, are stolen, and then close compromised accounts. 10.  Check your balance frequently (you can safely do this online here) and promptly review and        reconcile checking account statements for accuracy and fraud. 11.  Consider shopping elsewhere if a merchant requires your Social Security number to        make a purchase.  Source: America's Community Bankers ATM Security Be aware of your surroundings, especially between dusk and dawn.  If you notice anything suspicious, a security light out, someone loitering nearby, consider coming back later or leave the area and use another ATM. - If using the ATM at night, take someone with you. -    Park in a well-lit area as close as possible to the ATM. - Limit your time at the ATM.  Have your card out and ready as you approach the ATM. - At a drive-through ATM, be sure your vehicle's doors are locked and the passenger windows       are rolled up. - If you withdraw cash, put it away promptly; count it later, in private. - Put your ATM card and receipt away promptly; never leave your receipt at the ATM. - Keep your PIN secret. Don't write it down and don't share it with anyone.  Your PIN provides       access to your account. - By using your hand or your body, shield the keypad when entering your PIN to keep it from       being observed. - Avoid being too regular in your ATM use. Don't repeatedly visit the same machine at the same       time, the same day of the week. - Be on the lookout for ATM "skimming".  ATM skimming is a crime where thieves attach a device       to an ATM to capture your card information. Skimming devices can include a small magnetic       head used to capture your account information, and a small camera or mirror to view the keypad       when you enter your PIN.  (See "skimming" preventatives below.) - Do not use a drive-through ATM unless you are in a vehicle. - Notify us immediately of the loss of your card or PIN. Skimming Preventatives What you can do to prevent criminals from obtaining account information through skimming while you use an ATM: - Get familiar with the ATMs you use. Keep your eye on the bank card slots, PIN keypads       and where the envelope/brochure holders are located. Skimming device cameras are       typically mounted on these objects. - Stick with ATMs located at banks. It may be better to use an ATM at a bank location       rather than a stand-alone ATM. The bank machines are more closely monitored, and less       likely to have a skimming device go undetected. - Watch out for mirrors. Look for a mirror that seems out of place. Mirrors are required       by law to be installed at ATMs so you can spot someone looking over your shoulder.  But an       extra mirror could be an attempt to steal your PIN, usually be a thief who's standing close by. - Check the card slot. Look for a false slot attached to the original card slot.  It may stick       out farther or look newer than the machine.  If it looks suspicious, do not use the ATM. - Report it. If something seems strange or suspicious at an ATM location, report it to       Eaton National Bank.  Do not remove any suspected skimming device. Customer Identification Program Important Information About Procedures for Opening a New Account To help the government fight the funding of terrorism and money laundering activities, Federal law requires all financial institutions to obtain, verify and record information that identifies each person who opens an account. What this means for you When you open an account, we will ask for your - Name - Address - Date of Birth - and other information that will allow us to identify you We will also ask to see your - Driver's License - or other identifying documents Your patience and cooperation during the account opening process is greatly appreciated.