Consumer Alert
Rabun County Bank is committed to making your
experience on the Internet safe and enjoyable. While we take every
precaution to ensure your safety, there are several steps you can take to
minimize your risks. The following are a few suggestions.
Account Security Tips
All of our electronic banking products provide several safety mechanisms to protect your Account. You can
enhance your online safety by keeping your Account numbers and
passwords private, and by guarding your other financial information.
Your User ID and Password
To access NetLine and Business eBanking, you need to
create a user ID and password. To help ensure that only you can view your
Account information:
- Never reveal your password to anyone
- Keep your password secret
- Change your password periodically
Never select to remember passwords. This will enable the next user of
a multi-user machine to access your account with cached information.
Sending E-mail to Customer Service
Since sending personal information via traditional e-mail is not
completely secure, we recommend that you login to NetLine and use Bank Mail to send requests to our Customer Service representatives.
To contact Customer Service via e-mail:
- Log in to NetLine.
- Click
on the “Message Center” and “Contact Us” link. Most questions will be answered within 24 hours.
End Your Secure Session Completely
If you don’t log out of NetLine, you could potentially
allow others using the same computer to access information saved or
cached in the memory of the browser. When you are ready to leave NetLine always:
- Log out by clicking the “Sign Out” link on the menu
- Close your browser’s window before you leave the computer as an
extra precaution
Protect Your Account from Scams
An increasingly common scam—called “phishing”—uses
official-looking e-mails to deceive
consumers into disclosing their sensitive personal information. The
e-mail often directs the recipient to a “look-alike” Web site
of a legitimate business, tricking consumers into thinking they are
responding to a valid request. Here are some ways to avoid getting
caught by one of these scams:
- Do not provide your vital Account information by e-mail or phone
unless you initiated the contact. Rabun County Bank will never send an
e-mail asking you to reply with your Account or personal
information. - Never click on a unidentified web address in suspicious e-mail.
Close your
browser window immediately.
If you receive an e-mail that claims to be from Rabun County Bank that you
suspect might be fraudulent, contact your
nearest branch immediately. A Customer Service Representative can
verify whether or not the e-mail was actually sent by Rabun County Bank.
Stay Secure
Create a strong password. When logging onto a secure site,
choose a password that others can’t guess but is easy to remember.
Use a combination of numbers and letters. For example, select a
word you can remember but replace some of the letters with numbers,
e.g., secret=s1cr1t. Avoid using family or pet names, birth
dates, anniversaries or social security numbers.
Do business only with companies you know and trust.
Just because a Web site exists doesn’t mean there’s a legitimate
company behind it. Research a company before revealing personal or
financial information.
Watch out for phony “look-alike”
sites. Some con artists disguise their Web site as a well-known
company’s site. Check your browser’s address bar to make sure you’re
always using the correct Web address. If the Web site seems suspicious,
leave it immediately and call the company.
Only submit personal information if you are on a secure Web site.
When sending private information, make sure the Web address starts with
an “https” (“s” means it’s a secure area) or your Web
browser frame features a closed padlock. If not, any information you’re
sending can be read and copied by a hacker.
Secure Your Computer
Use the most current antivirus software. New viruses pop up all the
time. Make sure your antivirus software uses the latest antivirus signature
files. Signature files make it possible for the software to detect viruses.
You should be able to download and install updates through the software
vendor’s Web site. Most antivirus companies offer subscription services to
ensure you get the latest updates.
Keep your operating system up to date. Operating system updates
and upgrades are released often to repair security flaws that are found
after the operating system software was first released.
Make sure your operating system software (Microsoft® Windows or Macintosh®,
for example) is currently supported by its supplier and has the latest
security updates. Since new vulnerabilities may be discovered at any time,
we recommend that you use an automatic update service.
Protect your computer from hackers. Being connected to the Internet
means information continually travels freely to and from your computer.
An easy-to-install personal firewall helps you screen out unauthorized
communications to your computer and can prevent hackers from gaining access
while you’re online. This is especially important if you connect to the
Internet via a cable modem or a digital subscriber line (DSL) modem.
Prevent Identity Theft
One of the fastest growing crimes in the United States is identity
theft. Identity theft happens when someone uses your name or personal
information to commit financial fraud. By following these simple steps,
you can help safeguard your personal information and protect yourself
and your credit rating.
Protect Your Identity
Keep your personal information in a safe place. Don’t carry your birth
certificate, social security card or passport with you unless you need
to use it. Always make copies of the originals and keep them in a safe
place. If you lose such documents, contact the appropriate government
office immediately.
Review your financial statements regularly.
Check your bank and credit statements each month for any suspicious
activity. Request and check your credit report at least once a year
for mistakes or fraudulent use. If you come across any suspicious
activity on your accounts, contact the respective financial
institutions immediately.
Dispose of confidential information securely. Shred important documents
to prevent con artists from collecting private information from your trash.
Report Fraud
Act quickly. If you suspect your identity or
financial information is being used fraudulently, call your bank and
credit card companies immediately. The sooner you act, the better the
chances of catching the culprit and of limiting the damage.
File a police report. The best way for the authorities to bring
criminals to justice and prevent future fraud is through sharing
information. Your police report helps authorities gain insight on
how the crime was committed.
Prevent Future Fraud
The minute you learn your identity is being used fraudulently, place a
fraud alert on your name and social security number. This helps
prevent future fraud and further tarnishing of your personal and
financial records. Call the three national credit-reporting
organizations and the Social Security Administration immediately to
place a fraud alert on your name and Social Security number. The
numbers are:
- Equifax: 1-800-525-6285
- Experian: 1-888-397-3742
- TransUnion: 1-800-680-7289
- Social Security Administration (Fraud Line): 1-800-269-0271