The following consumer information link - www.consumer.gov - gives you important information on checking account fraud, as well as a multitude of other subjects. Central to this page is a group of links that give you “up-to-date” articles on “current” subjects. Key banking categories include:

• Identity Theft
• Kid’s Privacy
• Privacy Information
• Know Fraud
• Making a Buck

It’s an Information Jungle out there!
Nearly one American every minute is a victim of Identity Theft. The thieves don’t need much: a receipt you left behind, a bill mailed from your mailbox, a missing check, or information provided over an unsecured website. You get the idea.

Banks help catch and prosecute these crooks.
You can help too.

• Never give your Social Security number or credit information to anyone who calls you.
• Tear up receipts, old bank statements and unused credit card offers.
• Don’t mail bills from your mailbox. Thieves may use them to change your address.
• Review your monthly accounts for fraud.
• Order copies of your credit report once a year to ensure accuracy.
• Protect your Personal Identification Number (PIN). Don’t carry it with you.
• Report suspected fraud to your bank immediately.

Click here for detailed information on:

• Consumer Tips
• Victim Assistance Tips
• How Not to Get Hooked by a 'Phishing' Scam
• What if you discover you are a victim of Identity Theft

For additional information call us or visit the website of the American Bankers Association at www.aba.com. Don’t get caught alone in the jungle.

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Fishing News... no, not that kind of fishing... PHISHING!!!
Phishing involves criminals sending individuals a seemingly legitimate e-mail request for account information, often under the guise of asking the customer to verify or reconfirm confidential personal information such as account numbers, social security numbers, passwords, and other sensitive information. We will never request this information via email. Remember to keep all confidential items secure.

Never provide this information via email.

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Here are a few "dos" and "don'ts" that are important to follow.

• DO treat your card like cash. Always keep the card in a safe place.
• DO keep your PIN a secret. Positively DON'T write the number on your card.
• DON'T disclose information about your card over the phone. DO give your card number and expiration date if you initiated the call to place an order or make a reservation.
• DON'T expose your card's magnetic strip to magnetic objects. A magnetic name tag or badge in a purse will make the card in your wallet ineffective.
• DO report lost or stolen cards immediately.
• DO review your account statements.

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Losing or having your ATM or Debit Card stolen is a very emotional time. It is also a time when it is critical that you follow some appropriate steps to protect your good name and limit financial losses.

Notify the bank immediately!

• If it is during regular banking hours, you can call 706-295-9300.
• After hours, you should call 1-800-554-8969. This is a special lost/stolen card support line.
• Once you have stopped all transactions on the lost or stolen card, you will want to get a new card. This should be a completely new number. Your bank customer service representative will help you with this.
• Monitor your statements very carefully for any unauthorized transactions. If there is a transaction(s) that does not belong to you, contact the bank immediately.
  

Most of us have questions and concerns about all types of financial issues. The following link - www.pueblo.gsa.gov - can give you information and support on a wide variety of financial subjects. Your federal government provides a lot of useful information that is easily accessible through your computer. Some areas in the money section include:

• Being an executor
• Being sued
• What you can do about cold calling
• Living Trusts
• Making a will
• Using your home as collateral
• Credit matters
• How to dispute credit errors
• Interest and saving
• Building financial freedom
• Retirement planning
• From here to security (well worth seeing!)
• Small Business
• SBA programs

This link also provides information on subjects like travel, children educators, cars, employment, food, health, housing, and federal programs.

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