Protect Yourself From Fraud: Keep Your Information Private

Fraudsters are constantly looking for ways to obtain personal and financial information. One of the best ways to protect yourself is to stay cautious about what information you share and to verify unexpected requests before responding.

Don’t Share Sensitive Information

Never provide sensitive information such as account numbers, passwords, Social Security numbers, debit card PINs, or online banking credentials unless you are certain of the identity of the person requesting it and the reason for the request.

Your Bank Won’t Ask for This Information

Remember, your bank will never call, email, or text you asking for:

• Online banking usernames or passwords
• Debit card PINs
• One-time security codes
• Full Social Security numbers
• Secure access verification codes

If someone contacts you claiming to be from the bank and requests this information, end the conversation and contact the bank directly using a trusted phone number.

Get to Know Your Local Bankers

One of the best ways to protect yourself from fraud is to build a relationship with your local banking team. When you know the people who serve your accounts, you have trusted contacts you can reach out to when something doesn’t feel right.

If you receive a call, text, email, or social media message that appears to be from the bank and you’re unsure whether it’s legitimate, contact your local banker directly before taking any action. A quick phone call can help confirm whether a request is genuine and may prevent you from becoming a victim of fraud.

Keep Passwords and Personal Information Secret

Your passwords and personal information are the keys to your financial security. Help keep your accounts safe by:

• Using strong, unique passwords
• Enabling multi-factor authentication when available
• Avoiding oversharing personal information online
• Remaining cautious of unsolicited calls, texts, and emails
• Verifying suspicious requests before responding

When in doubt, don’t share. Taking a few moments to verify a request can make all the difference in protecting your accounts and personal information.

Here at Centennial Bank we are committed to protecting our customers from identity theft and to spotting fraudulent activity. We generate multiple reports to examine potential fraudulent account activity daily. Suspected money mule accounts and other types of fraud are investigated thoroughly. Call our Customer Care Center at (888) 372-9788 and report fraudulent activity immediately if you feel you have been victimized.

Stay alert. Stay secure. And remember, your local bankers are here to help when something doesn’t seem right.