How to Protect Your Account

Fraudulent E-mails

E-mail fraud is a common tool of an identity thief. It can take many forms. Here are some examples: 

Phishing Scams 
First, it was "phishing," where criminals send e-mail by the thousands in hopes of tricking unsuspecting consumers into sharing confidential information. These messages often include a link to a fraudulent website. The most common type of phish is an e-mail threatening some dire consequence if you do not immediately log in and take action.

Now, there’s “vishing.” In this latest twist, they use a telephone number instead. When you call, a person or an automated response asks for your personal and/or account information.

When you call your bank, use only a phone number that comes from a reputable source, like your statement, the back of your credit or debit card.

• Phishing (pronounced "fishing") is where the sender poses as a company to trick users into giving away personal or account information like passwords, credit card account numbers or Social Security Numbers.
• Illegitimate offers are e-mails that entice users to purchases popular goods or services at reduced prices (or before they're available to the general public), with no intent to deliver those purchase. Usually, these e-mails are designed primarily to obtain credit card or bank account information.
• Requests for help usually offer a recipient large sums of money or attractive rewards in exchange for "short term" financial assistance. One common example is the “sender” who asks the user to supply a bank account number to "hold" large sums of money until the “sender” can retrieve it. In exchange, the recipient is promised a percentage of the deposit. The “sender” uses the bank account number for fraudulent activity, and the recipient never receives the promised funds.
• Requires you to enter personal information directly into the e-mail or submit that information some other way.
• Threatens to close or suspend your account if you do not take immediate action by providing personal information.
• Solicits your participation in a survey where you are asked to enter personal information.
• States that your account has been compromised or that there has been third-party activity on your account and requests you to enter or confirm your account information.
• States that there are unauthorized charges on your account and requests your account information.
• Asks you to enter your User ID, password or account numbers into an e-mail or non-secure webpage.
• Asks you to confirm, verify, or refresh your account, credit card, or billing information.

E-mail Tips 

Do not provide your e-mail address to third party websites without reading the privacy and security policies and terms and conditions of these sites to ensure you understand the circumstances in which your e-mail address will be used. 

If you suspect suspicious or fraudulent activity related to your Abacus account(s), please let us know right away. You should also contact your Internet Service Provider so they may block suspect companies from your e-mail inbox. To learn more about how to control and manage your incoming e-mails, please refer to your Internet Service Provider’s online resources. 

How can I avoid online scams? 

It's important to know how to protect yourself against identity theft, which is one of the fastest growing crimes in America today. 

To commit identity theft, thieves only need a few key pieces of valid personal information about you—such as your name, social security number, mother's maiden name, or an account number. How to they get it? Usually by sending you an e-mail (urgently) asking you to enter or update your personal information. That's why it's so important to know how to protect yourself online. 

Never click on links in unsolicited e-mails—especially those asking for sensitive information such as your social security number, a bank or credit card account number, or the credentials you use to sign on to any web site. 

Open e-mails only when you know the sender—even opening a fraudulent e-mail can expose you to viruses or key logging software that captures your keystrokes as you enter them. 

Online Security Guidance 

PC Security and Password Protection

• Control physical access to your personal computer (PC); that is, do what you can to prevent unauthorized persons from using your PC.
• If you are using your PC and need to walk away from it for any reason, log off or lock your workstation.
• Select passwords that would be difficult for others to guess and change them frequently. Using a combination of upper and lower case letters as well as numbers and, when possible, special characters. 
• Do not give your passwords to anyone. Do not save passwords on your website or leave written notes with your password near your PC.
• Report suspicious activity you notice relating to your PC or use of your PC to the appropriate parties and do so as quickly as possible. If you notice suspicious activity relating to accounts at Abacus that you access online, promptly report that activity to your Abacus account officer.

Virus Management

• Install virus management software on your PC and use it regularly.
• Keep it up to date (i.e., latest signature files, product upgrades).
• Be cautious when downloading and running programs or Java or ActiveX applets as they may contain unsecured data which cannot be filtered, for example, using firewall or anti-virus software.
• Use extreme caution when opening Email received from unknown sources and pay special attention to any attachments. Do not launch or open an attachment from an unknown source. When in doubt delete it without opening it.

PC Software

• Understand and use the security features provided by your PC software, such as those included in many operating systems, browsers and word processing systems.
• Ensure that your browser uses the strongest encryption available and be aware of the level of encryption used when you connect to various sites and applications. For example, the Abacus Online Banking product currently requires the use of 128-bit encryption.
• Use only software from reliable vendors.
• Stay abreast of the latest release and patch levels of the PC software you use.

Encryption/Browser Check 

Encryption is the scrambling of data into a code that is unreadable to anyone who does not have the key that deciphers it. Only you and Abacus have the key to unlock your code. With Abacus Online, all your account information is protected by 128-bit encryption to maintain the privacy and confidentiality of your data. To take advantage of strong encryption technology, you will need to obtain a secure browser, one that supports 128-bit encryption.

Links to Third Party Websites

Abacus is not responsible for the information practices employed by sites linked to or from our website. In most cases, links to non-Abacus websites are provided solely as pointers to information on topics that may be useful to the users of the Abacus website. Third party websites may have different privacy policies and/or security standards governing their sites.

Reporting Fraud or Identity Theft

If you have an Abacus Bank customer and believe you are the victim of fraud or identity theft, call Abacus Bank immediately at 1-800-969-8423, or call the phone number on your monthly account statement or on the back of your credit/debit card.

You should also take the following steps:

1. Close any accounts that you know or believe have been associated with fraudulent activity.

2. Call the FTC hotline at 1-877-ID THEFT (1-877-438-4338) to speak with a trained identity theft counselor or you can submit a complaint to the FTC on their website,www.ftc.gov/.

3. Contact your local police department and let them know that you want to file a report involving Identity Theft. Give a copy of the FTC theft complaint to the police when you file a police report.

4. Contact the major credit bureaus. Have a Fraud Alert placed on your profile by calling one of the national credit bureaus below. 

          Experian 888.397.3742

          Equifax 800.525.6285

          Trans Union 800.680.7289

5. Continue to review all transactions appearing on your account statements and online account activity. Immediately report any discrepancies.