Security Center

Protecting Your Information and How to Avoid Scams

Securing your personal and financial information is a top priority. Never share your online banking passwords, account numbers or social security number with anyone online or over the phone. We are your bank and have all the information we need to verify who you are. 

With scammers becoming more sophisticated, you’re the first line of defense for preventing scams. By recognizing these five common tactics, you can protect yourself and your money.

  • Compromising business email: Scammers can impersonate a company official to request a change for your account by email or text. Don’t call the number provided in the message. Instead, find the company’s official number from a trusted source and validate that the request is legitimate.
Impersonating a CSB employee: Some scammers will pose as bank employee and use email, phone or text to request your personal information or to transfer money. When in doubt, ignore the message and call your local branch or 715-386-9050 our Hudson Corporate Branch. 
 
Gaining remote access: Scammers claiming to be from well-known companies can try to gain remote access to your personal devices. If an associate from one of these companies cold calls you claiming they can fix an unknown issue, ignore the call and contact the company directly. Be sure to use a phone number from a trusted source.
 
Faking job offers: Job listings or offers could have a scammer behind them. During the hiring process, the scammer will ask you to link accounts to other banks and send money they promise to refund. Don’t be pressured with time-sensitive demands or high salaries. Instead, contact the business with a trusted phone number or email.
 
Rushing cryptocurrency investments: Scammers can pose as investors to sell you on a lucrative cryptocurrency opportunity. They’ll give you a short time limit to invest, but will keep the money you sent for themselves. If they’re represented by a company, contact them from a trusted source, like their company phone number.

Know the red flags

  • Pressured to send money
  • Threatened with law enforcement action
  • Told to purchase gift cards and provide codes as a form of payment
  • Asked to cash a check for a stranger or send money via wire transfer or external transfers and apps
  • Asked to deposit a check that overpays for something you're selling, then send the difference elsewhere

Banks do not offer a protection program for authorized payments—for example, if you buy an item with PayPal® or are tricked into making a transaction, but you don’t receive it or it’s not what you expected you may not get your money back, so only use third-party payment apps to pay those you know and trust.


Best ways to avoid being scammed

Don’t respond: If you’re not 100% certain of the source of the call, email or text, then hang up the phone, don’t click on the link in the email and don’t reply to the text message.

Don’t trust caller ID or answer phone calls from unknown numbers: If you recognize the caller ID but the call seems suspicious, hang up the phone. Phone numbers can be easily spoofed to appear to be from a legitimate caller.

Don’t give out your information: Never provide any personally identifiable information unless you’re absolutely certain the person and reason are legitimate. Remember: we will never ask you to send us personal information such as an account number, Social Security number or Tax ID over text, email or online.

Research and validate: If the individual or organization seems suspicious, make sure the request being made is legitimate by calling the organization through an official number from their website or consulting with a trusted family member or friend.

If you feel you may have been a victim of a scam, contact us immediately.


Internet Safety Tips

  • Use up to date firewalls, anti-virus and anti-spyware software to protect your computers and phones.
  • If you use a public wireless network, don’t log into your Online Banking or other websites that contain confidential information.
  • If you shop online, use websites that protect your financial information with encryption. An encrypted website has “https” at the beginning of the web address: “s” is for secure.


The US Government lists common scams and frauds that can happen to you. This is a good resource to find out what the latest "scam" that may be happening. 


Debit Card Security 

Fraud Protection 1-800-237-8990

Your card comes with Fraud Protection to alert you if there is any suspicious activity on your Debit/ATM card. All you need to do is provide us your current cell phone number and email address. Always remember to let us know if your cell number or email address changes. 

Please respond to this text alert. If the card is no fraud, this will avoid having your card suspended. If you do not respond to any of the fraud alerts your card will be disabled as a precaution. You are able to activate your disabled card, as long as there was no fraudulent activity, by calling our Fraud Center at 1-800-237-8990. 

REMEMBER – We will never ask for your PIN or your account number.


Put your card on a temporary hold through the App or Online Banking

Go to Manage Cards and select the card you want to temporarily deactivate by sliding the toggle button. 
Once you are ready to activate the card, slide the toggle back, when it turns green it has been reactivated. 

 

Online and Mobile Banking Security 

You can also play an important part in helping to keep your information secure. Here are some ways to protect yourself.


ID and Password Security Tips
  • Do not share your Online Banking ID and password with anyone.
  • Don’t use obvious numbers (such as birth dates, social security numbers or addresses) for your Online Banking ID and/or password.
  • Ensure that no one is watching when entering your Online Banking ID and password.
  • Don’t record your Online Banking ID and password on paper. Try to memorize them, if possible.
  • If you do record your Login ID and password, keep them in a safe, secure location.
  • If you’ll be away from your computer for any length of time, log out of Online Banking.
  • Do not save your Online Banking ID and/or your password on any computer you use. Rather, enter this information manually each time you log in.
  • When you have finished your online banking session, always remember to properly log out and/or close the internet browser. 

Set up Security User Alerts by selecting setting and user alerts

Login from new device
Username changed
Email address change
Mobile phone change
Password change

Get Account Alerts by selecting your account, settings and manage alerts.
  • Balances
  • Item clearing


Identity Theft Tips 
 

Remember the bank will NEVER ask you for personal identifiable information over the internet or text. We already have all the information we need. Here are some ways to help prevent identity theft:

  • Shred financial, personal and medical documents before you throw them away.
  • Protect your Social Security number. Don’t carry your social security card in your wallet.
  • Don’t respond to email, text and phone messages that ask for personal information. Legitimate companies don’t ask for information this way. Delete the message.
  • Review your bank statements regularly. Report any fraudulent or unusual activity to the bank immediately. 
  • Never give account information to anyone over the telephone unless you’ve initiated the call.


Credit Reports 

Your credit report matters. Credit reports may affect your mortgage rates, credit card approvals, apartment request and even your job application. Reviewing your credit reports also helps you catch signs of identity theft early.

The law requires the three major nationwide consumer reporting companies – Equifax, Experian and TransUnion – to give you a free copy of your credit report each year if you ask for it. Lots of sites promise credit reports for free. AnnualCreditReport.com is the only official site explicitly directed by Federal law to provide them for free. 

Get your reports today!

  • Visit www.AnnualCreditReport.com or call 1-877-322-8228
  • You can also write to: Annual Credit Report Request Service, P.O. Box 105281, Atlanta, GA 30348-5281.