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Protect yourself and your computer with this information!
What is malware?
Malware, short for malicious software, is software written for ill-intended purposes. The term malware is used to describe viruses, worms, Trojan horses, adware, spyware, ransomware, crimeware, rootkits, and other unwanted and potentially dangerous software.
How do I help protect myself from malware?
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Install good quality anti-malware software from a reputable vendor. If unsure what software to obtain, contact a professional computer services company.
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Keep your computer’s and device's operating systems (OS) up to date with the latest security patches. You should also keep all software that resides on your devices up to date with the latest security patches.
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Visit only websites by reputable companies. Browsing questionable websites will increase your risk of being infected with malware.
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Ensure you are using a firewall and that it’s configured to allow access only to needed ports and applications.
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Download and install one of the FREE quality security programs.
What is phishing?
Phishing is a combination social engineering and high-tech tactic that uses fake e-mail, fraudulent Internet addresses, imposter websites, and "pop-ups" to impersonate a financial institution. Identity thieves send mass e-mails purported to be from a reputable institution. These e-mails direct you to a site where you are asked to divulge information such as usernames, passwords, account numbers, etc. While fraudulent e-mails vary in content, they generally carry a common theme essential to their success; i.e. you must take action immediately or risk losing access to your account. Criminals will try to make their site look exactly like that of your bank or lender.
How do I help protect myself from phishing?
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Do not respond to e-mails that ask for confidential information. Hutcheson Ford will never request personal information such as usernames, passwords, etc. through an e-mail.
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Install good quality anti-malware software from a reputable vendor. If unsure what software to obtain, contact a professional computer services company.
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When on the Hutcheson Ford website, you can help insure you’re on the correct site by verifying that web address is correct and in a secure session (https).
How do I report phishing activity?
What is identity theft?
Identity theft is one of the fastest-growing types of financial fraud. Without stealing your wallet, a crook can steal your financial identity with as little information as your Social Security Number. The practice is also know as "account-takeover fraud" or "true-name fraud," and it involves crooks' assuming your identity by applying for credit, running up huge bills and stiffing creditors - all in your name.
How do I protect myself from identity theft?
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Order copies of your credit report once a year to ensure they are accurate. You can call each of the three national credit reporting agencies because each may contain different aspects of your credit history, or you can contact AnnualCreditReport.comfor one free credit report each year.
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If you have been denied credit in the past 60 days, the credit reporting agency that sent the report to your prospective creditor must provide you with a copy of the report for free. However, it will not be sent automatically so you have to request a copy from the credit reporting agency.
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Keep an eye on your accounts throughout the year by reading your monthly/periodic statements thoroughly. That's an easy way for you to be sure that all of the activity in your accounts was initiated by you.
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Tear up or shred pre-approved credit offers, receipts and other personal information that link your name to account numbers. Don't leave your ATM, debit or credit card receipt in public trash cans. Crooks (a.k.a dumpster divers) are known to go through trash to get account numbers and other items that will give them just enough information to get credit in your name.
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If your credit card or other bills are more than two weeks late, you should do the following:
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Contact the US Postal Service to see if someone has forwarded your mail to another address.
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Contact your bank to ask if the statement or card has been mailed.
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Contact the businesses that send you bills.
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When paying your bills, don't put them in your mailbox with the red flag up. That's a quick way to have someone steal your mail. Use a locked mailbox, the post office or pay them online.
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Protect your account information. Don't write your PIN on your ATM or debit card. Don't write your Social Security Number or credit card account number on a check. Cover your hand when you are entering your PIN number at an ATM or point of sale machine.
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Don't carry your Social Security card, passport or birth certificate unless you need it that day. Take all but one or two credit cards out of your wallet, and keep a secured list at home of your account information and customer service telephone numbers.
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Never provide personal and/or confidential information over the phone, unless you initiated the call.
My identity has been stolen. What do I need to do?
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Call your local police department and report the theft. Identity theft and financial fraud is a crime.
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Contact your bank(s) as soon as possible. They can help you obtain new account numbers for all of your accounts.
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Close all of your credit card accounts and open with new account numbers.
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Contact the fraud units of all three credit bureaus. Ask them to flag your account, which tells creditors that you are a victim of identity theft. Also, add a victim's statement to each of your credit bureau reports that asks creditors to contact you in person to verify all applications made in your name. You can reach the fraud units of the credit bureaus at:
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Call the Federal Trade Commission's ID Theft hotline at (877) IDTHEFT. The hotline is staffed by counselors trained to help identity theft victims.
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If you suspect mail theft, notify the US Postal Inspector.
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If you suspect your Social Security Number was taken, contact the Social Security Administrationat (800) 772-1213.
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You also may want to contact your telephone, long distance, water, gas and electrical companies to alert them that someone may try to open an account in your name.
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Maintain a log of all the contacts you make with authorities regarding the matter. Write down each person's name, title, and phone number in case you need to contact them again or refer to them in future correspondence.
How do I know if I’ve received a counterfeit check?
If you can answer “yes” to any of the following questions involving the check you have received, please contact your bank's customer service representative immediately. You could have a counterfeit check.
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Are the check proceeds for an item you sold on the internet such as a car, boat, jewelry, etc.?
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Is the amount of the check more than the selling price of the item?
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Have you been instructed to send funds to another person as soon as possible?
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Is the check from an individual you have communicated with via e-mail?
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Is the check drawn on a business or individual different from the person buying your item or product?
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Have you been informed that you were the winner in a lottery that you did not enter?
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Have you been asked to assist in the distribution of money from another country?
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