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Identity Theft and Consumer Fraud

Protect Yourself

Our Commitment to you

Identity Theft is a serious crime that is costly to the nation's economy and to all Americans, striking nearly 10 million U.S. consumers annually, and the FTC estimates this crime imposes $50 billion in unecessary costs on the nation's businesses every year.

Substantial measures are in place at Seacoast National Bank to protect your identity and your accounts against theft and personal fraud. Stringent bank privacy policies protect your personal and financial information. Password protection for online transactions helps ensure online security. Encryption of online transactions helps protect you against hackers. Additionally, Seacoast National Bank has partnered with the Federal Trade Commission by participating in the DETER DETECT DEFEND Campaign to help raise awareness with consumers like you and to help you reduce your risk of becoming a victim. We invite you to utilize the resources found on this Website. If you have any questions regarding the safety of your information, please don't hesitate to call us, 800-706-9991.

Here are some simple precautions you can take to help keep your personal information safe:

  • Review your credit reports frequently. For a free copy of your credit report go to www.annualcreditreport.com or call toll free 1-877-322-8228.
  • Do not place outgoing mail in your residential mailbox.
  • Implement a clean desk policy at home.
  • Never give personal information over the phone or Internet.
  • Beware of mail, e-mail and telephone solicitations.
  • Invest in a shredder that makes tiny pieces of confetti.
  • Never leave receipts at ATMs, bank workstations, trash receptacles, or unattended gas pumps.
  • Sign all credit cards upon receipt.
  • Use a blue or black gel ink pen when signing checks and credit cards.
  • Review your credit card statement as soon as it arrives.
  • Check all your personal and business accounts frequently.
  • Always shield your pin numbers when using an ATM.
  • Only use essential information on your checks -- not birth dates or social security numbers.
  • Lock your blank check stock in a safe place.
  • If an investment proposition seems "too good to be true" it probably is.
  • Educate yourself about ID theft. Know your consumer rights.

Deter - Detect - Defend

Deter. Detect. Defend. Avoid ID Theft - Play Video
A 10-minute educational video that provides an overview of identity theft and outlines the steps consumers can take

FTC Brochure

Latest News and Consumer Alerts:

  • Account Hijacking
  • Phishing
    "Phishing" is an e-mail scam involving fraudsters who pretend to be a legitimate business such as a financial institution, credit card company, online service provider, or retailer. Hiding behind the anonymity of the internet, they send out "official-looking" e-mails or set up bogus Web sites to trick you into divulging your account numbers, passwords, Social Security numbers, and other sensitive data.
    • How to Report Phishing:
    • Protecting Your Credit File
    • We suggest reporting phishing e-mails or spoofed Web sites to the following groups:
      • Forward the e-mail to reportphishing@antiphishing.org
      • Forward the e-mail to the Federal Trade Commission at spam@uce.gov
      • Forward the e-mail to the "abuse" e-mail address at the company that is being spoofed. (e.g., spoof@ebay.com)
      • Notify the Internet Crime Compliant Center of the FBI by filing a complaint on their Web site: www.ic3.gov

Protecting yourself from e-mail and other types of Online fraud

SEACOAST NATIONAL BANK WILL NEVER SEND E-MAIL MESSAGES ASKING YOU TO VERIFY OR PROVIDE PERSONAL INFOMRATION SUCH AS YOUR SOCIAL SECURITY NUMBER, ACCOUNT NUMBER, DEBIT CARD NUMBER OR PASSWORDS.

  • Treat unsolicited e-mail requests for financial information or other personal data with suspicion. Do not reply to unsolicited e-mail or respond by clicking on a link within an unsolicited e-mail message.
  • Contact the actual business that supposedly sent the e-mail to verify if it is genuine. Visit a Web site or call a phone number that you know to be legitimate.
  • Prior to entering account information on any Web site, be sure to look for the "locked padlock" to make sure the site is secure.

When Identity Theft or Fraud happens to you

  • Contact us immediately!  Our customer service team will help you through the process. AND contact your credit card issuers immediately. Close your accounts, cancel your credit cards and create new passwords for any new accounts.
    Contact Seacoast National Bank
    Telephone Banking Center : 1-800-706-9991
    Monday - Friday, 7AM - 7PM and Saturday 9AM - 4PM
    or contact us at customerservice@seacoastnational.com
  • File a police report with your local police department and obtain a copy. You will need it to verify your claim with the credit reporting agencies.
  • Check your online accounts like eBay, PayPal, your e-mail ISP, online bank accounts or other e-commerce accounts and everything else for which you use passwords.
  • Contact the three major credit bureaus to request a "fraud alert" or securtiy freeze be placed on your credit report. Request a free copy of your credit report to check for any suspicious activity.
    Major Credits Bureaus:
    • Equifax (www.equifax.com) 1-888-766-0008
    • Experian  (www.experian.com) 1-888-397-3742
    • TransUnion  (www.transunion.com) 1-800-680-7289
  • Check with the post office for any unauthorized change of address requests.
  • Follow-up telephone contacts with letters and keep copies of all correspondence.
  • File a complaint with the Federal Trade Commission (FTC).

Identity Theft Resources


On Guard Online

 
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