Identity theft is a serious crime that can cost you time and money, as well as have a serious impact on your credit report. Frequently, we see customers who don’t realize their information has been compromised until they apply for a new loan or account. Adams Dairy Bank has safeguards in place to protect your information but there are also several things you can do to protect yourself.

Identity thieves use several methods to steal personal information, such as:

• Dumpster diving – they rummage through trash looking for bills or personal information
• Skimming – they steal credit and debit card numbers by using a special storage device when processing your card
• Phishing – they send email or pop-up messages, pretending to be financial institutions or government agencies, prompting you to reveal personal information online
• Hacking – they attempt to access your email and other online accounts to obtain your personal information

You can protect yourself by safeguarding your personal information. Here are some simple things to remember:

• Be sure to shred financial documents and paperwork before disposing of it
• Protect your social security number and personal information
• Avoid giving out personal information over the phone, through the mail or over the internet especially when using public wireless connections
• Make sure you’re protected online by using spyware and firewalls where appropriate
• Don’t click on links sent in unfamiliar emails or pop-up windows

Watch out for signs that someone has accessed your personal information. Be alert to things like:

• Bills that do not arrive as expected
• Unexpected credit cards or account statements
• Denials of credit for no apparent reason
• Calls or letters about purchases you did not make
• Charges on your financial statements that you don’t recognize

Be sure to regularly inspect your credit report. You are entitled to one free copy of your credit report every 12 months. Request one online at www.AnnualCreditReport.com or call 1-877-322-8228.

If you suspect fraud on your account, immediately place a “Fraud Alert” on your credit reports. A call to one of the following companies is sufficient:

• Experian: 1-888-397-3743
• TransUnion: 1-800-680-7289
• Equifax: 1-800-525-6285

More identity theft resources from the Federal Trade Commission

When in doubt – call us sooner rather than later. We are here to help you protect yourself and, if necessary, help you recover from identity theft.

The post DETER. DETECT. DEFEND… AVOID ID THEFT appeared first on Adams Dairy Bank.

By: Katie Jackson, Client Service Specialist

We’ve all been at the check-out counter of our favorite grocer or retailer and waited for the proverbial question: Paper or plastic? Debit or credit? Unfortunately, many people give more thought to choosing paper over plastic than they do the choice involving a financial transaction.

There is a difference between a debit and a credit transaction. It may be the exact same card you use for both, but the button you press (credit or debit) can make a difference in many ways. A wise consumer always chooses debit over credit.

Debit is Safer
A debit transaction is safer because of the PIN (personal identification number) required for each transaction.

Fraud is a concern for everyone. By using an effective PIN, you take one opportunity for fraud away from criminals. Signatures can be easily forged and can take days or weeks to identify. A safely managed PIN however, can protect you from a lost or stolen card immediately.

Adams Dairy Bank tries to protect its customers from fraudulent card use by putting restrictions on signature-based transactions that take place outside of Missouri and adjoining states. By always using your debit card you ensure that your transaction will be accepted wherever you travel.

If you will be traveling out of state and think you may need to use your debit card for a credit transaction (e.g. at restaurants), please call us so we can activate that option on your account.

A debit card with a unique PIN not shared with others can be difficult, if not impossible, for a criminal to use. Take additional precautions by never writing down your PIN, and by advising your bank if you suspect any unauthorized use of your card.

Additional Convenience
Debit provides the additional convenience of allowing you access to cash from your account immediately. Today’s consumers use cashback with debit transactions instead of going to the bank or finding an ATM.

Many users of debit transactions maintain their account balances in places other than a checkbook. And, because debits are recorded at the time of transaction, up-to-the-minute activity recorded on your debit card receipt can prevent costly overdrafts and help you better understand your balance at all times.

The Right Thing to Do
We encourage our customers to make a habit of choosing debit over credit. Debit provides a safer, more convenient method of banking. Providing safe, convenient banking services is what we do at Adams Dairy Bank.

The post DEBIT vs. CREDIT? appeared first on Adams Dairy Bank.