Here are some steps you can take to keeping your information secure while using an ATM. 

• Keep your PIN a secret and do not write it down with the card.
• Make sure the surroundings are well-lit.
• Do not start or complete the transaction, if anyone suspicious is around.
• Have your card and paperwork ready before approaching the machine.
• Put your cash away immediately. You can count it in the car or other safe place.
• Make sure to block the view of others behind you when inputting your PIN number.
• Do not give any information to strangers.
• Report any suspicious activity or devices to the ATM operator or police department.
• Consider having another person accompany you to the ATM.
• Check for suspicious skimming devices attached to the area where you swipe your card. This video explains more.

In any variation of a check scam, the result is the same:

1. You receive a check. There are a few different ways this scam can be executed. The scammer will ask for your online banking information so they can do a mobile check deposit. In some scams, you’ve won the lottery and are asked to cash the check and wire a portion back to the sender to cover handling fees or taxes. In some scams, a “buyer” offers to purchase an item you have for sale on the internet or classified ads; the check they send is more than the agreed price, and they ask that you wire the difference back and may even suggest that you keep some extra “for your troubles”. In another kind of scam, you are asked to evaluate the effectiveness of a money transfer service by cashing a check and then transferring some of it to another individual.
2. The check gets deposited into your account. Many times, the check won’t be caught as fraudulent right away, so you’ll be allowed to deposit the check. While tellers do get trained to watch for these scams, these checks often look like a legitimate cashier’s check. (This is why we ask questions about where you got checks that we aren’t familiar with.) Just because your bank or credit union accepted it doesn’t mean the check is legitimate.
3. You send the scammer some of the funds. By federal law, banks are required to make funds available to you from certain types of checks (i.e. cashier’s checks, certified checks) within the business day, so you’ll be able to use the money right away to send what the fraudster is asking for.
4. The check is returned as counterfeit. The problem occurs when the bank receives notice that the check is counterfeit and you have already wired the money. You will be out the funds that you sent to the fraudster plus any of the funds that you used from the counterfeit check. The bank or credit union will require you to pay back all of the funds.

With so many transactions occurring online, it’s easier than ever for a scammer to get your card information. Here’s how you can keep yourself safe.

• Do not give out card numbers over the phone or internet unless you initiated the transaction. Even then, be cautious of the websites you are using.
• Set Alerts and Controls, or toggle your card on/off with Card Management, available to you within Online Banking or your Mobile App.
• If you are unsure, you can purchase a Visa Gift Card to use for online purchases. If that number is compromised, you can only lose the money you put on the card; they won’t be able to get your account information.
• Never give your PIN to anyone to use. If you feel that it’s been compromised, you can change it at any time.
• Never disclose credit card, bank or personal information to someone you do not know or are unsure of.
• When swiping your card, especially at an outdoor machine, check for skimming devices.
• Watch for transactions that are not yours and report any problems right away. This is where Online Banking and the Mobile App can come in handy!

Although it is impossible to prevent identity theft, there are several precautions you can take to make it less likely to happen to you. Here are a few of these suggestions:

• Make sure to shred all documents with personal information before throwing away.
• Put outgoing mail in a secure mail box or take to the post office yourself.
• If you are not receiving your monthly statements from creditors, the criminals maybe stealing them for information.
• Review monthly statements for erroneous charges and report them immediately.
• Only give out personal information when necessary to businesses you know. Do not respond to email or letters asking to verify information.
• Keep a list of credit cards in a safe place with phone numbers to call if lost/stolen.
• Make sure to get your free credit report from each of the credit reporting agencies each year. Since there are three companies, you can get one report every four months (ex. Experian in January, Transunion in May, and Equifax in September). Just go to: https://www.annualcreditreport.com/cra/index.
• Use a unique password for each of your accounts. If a fraudster hacks one place, they could have access to every other place that you use that same password.
• Never disclose credit card, bank or personal information to someone you do not know or are unsure of.
  • Remember, we will never call or text you asking for this information!

• Beware of e-mails that contain urgent requests for personal information.
• Beware of e-mails that are not personalized with your name.
• Be cautious of any emails you receive with links to the business’s website; the link could say the correct information, but it directs you to a bogus site. Check that the link leads you to the correct web address or enter it manually in your browser. If you’re still not sure about it, call before entering any information.
• If you are submitting credit card information, make sure you are on a secure website. The beginning of the Web address will be https:// not just http://.
• If you are unsure about giving your card info, you can purchase a Visa Gift Card to use for online purchases. If that number is compromised, you can only lose the money you put on the card; they won’t be able to get your account information.
• Consider installing scam blocking protection on your browser. This can usually be done through your internet provider.
• Make sure your browser is up-to-date and security patches are applied.
• Forward suspect phishing emails to [email protected] and [email protected].
• Watch for transactions that are not yours and report any problems right away. This is where Online Banking and the Mobile App can come in handy!
• Use a unique password for each of your accounts. If a fraudster hacks one place, they could have access to every other place that you use that same password.
• If you are online dating, be wary of someone who builds a relationship with you and then asks you for money. It’s possible that person is a scam artist.
• Never disclose credit card, account or personal information to someone you do not know or are unsure of. 

Every year, tens of thousands of accounts are closed due to money laundering. Those involved might not realize their accounts are being used to fund criminality. This video helps to explain it.

• Shred all personal information before throwing away. This includes old checks, statements, bills, etc.
  • Keep an eye out for our free shred days throughout the year!
• Keep personal information in a locked area.
• Do not allow others access to banking or personal information.
• Follow normal security procedures like locking doors and not allowing strangers into your house.
• Be cautious of leaving your garage door opener in a car outside of your house; cars can be broken into easily, giving a burglar full access to your garage and house.
• Do not give any information to anyone who calls you, no matter what they say you won or what they are selling. You should only give information to people you have contacted and trust.
• Do not leave purses, wallets, etc laying around in plain sight of windows.
• When paying bills, make sure you use a locked mail box for outgoing mail.
• When writing checks, make sure to fill out all lines completely. You should not leave any room for a criminal to add numbers in front or behind the dollar amounts.
• Make sure unused checks are kept in a secure area.
• If you need to keep a log of usernames and passwords, be sure that’s in a very secure place.
• Use a unique password for each of your accounts. If a fraudster hacks one place, they could have access to every other place that you use that same password.
• Never disclose credit card, bank or personal information to someone you do not know or are unsure of.

• Beware of calls or e-mails that contain urgent requests for personal information.
• Beware of e-mails that are not personalized with your name.
• Don’t click on links in an email message to get to any website. Call the company to verify or enter the website manually in your browser. The link could say the correct information, but it directs you to a bogus site.
• If you are submitting credit card information, make sure you are on a secure website. The beginning of the Web address will be https:// not just http://.
• Consider installing scam blocking protection on your browser. This can usually be done through your internet provider.
• Be cautious of any emails you receive with links to our website. Check that the link leads you to the correct web address, www.GreatBasin.org. If you’re not sure about it, please call us before entering any information.
• Forward suspect phishing emails to [email protected] and [email protected].
• Never disclose credit card, bank or personal information to someone you do not know or are unsure of.