Protecting Your Identity: Important Steps from First Bank and Trust Company
January 28, 2025
At First Bank and Trust Company, we understand how important your personal and financial security is. In today’s digital world, identity theft has become a widespread issue that can have significant consequences. Identity thieves use your personal information to commit fraud or crimes, often causing long-lasting damage to your credit and finances. But don't worry—by staying informed and taking proactive steps, you can minimize the risk of falling victim to identity theft.
In this article, we’ll guide you through common identity theft tactics, share effective steps to protect your information, and outline what to do if you suspect your identity has been compromised.
Common Methods of Identity Theft
Identity thieves use a variety of methods to steal personal information. Here are some of the most common tactics:
- Phishing: Fraudulent emails, text messages, or live phone calls that seem to come from trusted sources—like your bank, government agencies, or popular online retailers. These messages and calls often ask for your personal information or direct you to fake websites designed to steal your data.
- Skimming: Thieves install hidden devices on ATMs or point-of-sale terminals to capture your credit or debit card details during legitimate transactions. Use trusted ATMs (such as ones at your bank branch) that are protected from skimming efforts.
- Data Breaches: Hackers target organizations to steal large volumes of personal data, often from companies that you trust, like your doctor’s office or favorite online retailers.
- Mail Theft: Thieves steal your physical mail, including bank statements, tax documents, and credit card offers, to gather valuable personal details.
- Social Engineering: Identity thieves manipulate individuals into revealing confidential information by impersonating someone they trust or through deceptive tactics.
- Dumpster Diving: Thieves search through your discarded documents, looking for sensitive information, such as tax forms or old bank statements, that may have been carelessly thrown away.
How to Protect Your Identity
At First Bank and Trust Company, we’re committed to helping you safeguard your personal and financial information. Here are some essential steps you can take to protect yourself from identity theft:
- Secure Your Personal Information: Keep important documents, like your Social Security card and bank statements, in a secure place. Always shred paper documents containing personal information before disposing of them. To enhance your security, consider signing up for electronic statements instead of receiving paper ones.
- Create Strong Passwords: Use unique and complex passwords for your online accounts. Avoid simple, easily guessed passwords like “12345” or your birthday. A good password should include a mix of upper and lower-case letters, numbers, and special characters. Consider using a password manager to help keep track of your passwords securely.
- Do Not Share Your Passwords: Never share your passwords with anyone, even trusted friends or family members. If someone asks for your password, especially someone claiming to be your bank, it’s usually a sign of a phishing attempt. Always keep your login credentials private to maintain your account security.
- Enable Two-Factor Authentication (2FA): Adding 2FA to your accounts offers an extra layer of protection. With 2FA, even if someone gains access to your password, they’ll still need a second verification method—like a code sent to your phone or an app.
- Monitor Your Accounts: Regularly review your bank statements and credit card accounts for any unauthorized transactions. First Bank and Trust Company offers convenient online and mobile banking tools to help you stay on top of your finances.
- Be Cautious Online: Be mindful of what personal information you share on social media and avoid oversharing sensitive details. When making online purchases, ensure the website is secure (look for “HTTPS” in the URL) and only shop from trusted merchants.
- Protect Your Devices: Install antivirus software and keep your devices updated to guard against malware. Always use strong passwords or biometric authentication (such as fingerprint or facial recognition) to lock your devices.
What to Do If Your Identity Is Stolen
If you suspect that your identity has been stolen, it’s important to act quickly to minimize the damage. Here are the steps you should take:
- Contact First Bank and Trust Company: If you notice any unauthorized transactions, contact our customer service team immediately. We'll help you secure your accounts and investigate any suspicious activity.
- Place a Fraud Alert: Contact one of the major credit bureaus—Equifax, Experian, or TransUnion—to place a fraud alert on your credit report. This will notify potential creditors that they should take extra steps to verify your identity before opening new accounts in your name.
- Review Your Credit Reports: Obtain free copies of your credit reports from each of the three credit bureaus at AnnualCreditReport.com. Review them carefully for signs of fraudulent activity, such as accounts you didn’t open.
- File a Report with the FTC: Go to IdentityTheft.gov to file a report with the Federal Trade Commission. The FTC will help you develop a recovery plan and provide an Identity Theft Report that you can use when dealing with creditors.
- Report to Local Law Enforcement: In addition to filing an FTC report, you should also report the theft to your local police department. Provide them with your FTC Identity Theft Report and any relevant documentation.
- Close Fraudulent Accounts: Contact the companies where fraudulent accounts were opened and ask them to close or freeze those accounts. Provide them with your FTC Identity Theft Report and any supporting documents.
Resources for Recovery and Support
Recovering from identity theft can be a long and challenging process, but there are resources available to help you:
- First Bank and Trust Company: First Bank and Trust Company offers a comprehensive Consumer Checklist that outlines essential steps to take when dealing with identity theft. They provide important contact numbers and guidance to help you navigate the resolution process effectively.
- IdentityTheft.gov: The Federal Trade Commission’s website provides detailed steps and a personalized recovery plan for victims of identity theft.
- Credit Bureaus: Reach out to Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion to place fraud alerts, freeze your credit, and dispute any incorrect information on your credit reports.
- Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB): The CFPB provides valuable resources for protecting your finances and resolving disputes with creditors.
- Local Law Enforcement: Your local police department can assist in filing reports and, if needed, investigating identity theft cases.
- Legal Assistance: If you’re facing significant challenges during the recovery process, consider seeking legal counsel to better understand your rights and navigate the complexities of resolving identity theft issues.
Conclusion
At First Bank and Trust Company, we take your security seriously and want to ensure that you have the tools and knowledge to protect your identity. By understanding how identity theft happens and taking proactive steps to safeguard your personal and financial information, you can significantly reduce your risk. And if you ever suspect that your identity has been compromised, acting quickly can help minimize the damage.
Remember, staying vigilant and being proactive are the best ways to protect your identity. If you have any questions or need assistance, don’t hesitate to reach out to our team. We’re here to help you safeguard your financial well-being.
For more information and helpful resources on protecting your finances, visit Security | First Bank & Trust Company or contact our customer support team at (866) 428-5998.