Fraud & Online Security

Security concerns make many people hesitant to use the internet for financial or personal business. At Susquehanna Community Bank, it is our top priority to offer you both the convenience of online services along with industry-standard security. Rest assured that we’re doing everything we can to safeguard your financial information.

Security Tips

PROTECT YOURSELF

How can you protect yourself? Help better protect yourself, your family and your joint account holders with IDProtect^®, our identity theft monitoring and resolution service¹. Never give personal information over the phone or online, unless you know where it’s going. Avoid being a victim of phishing scams by making sure the email is from who it says it’s from. Do not click on suspicious links or attachments. Only use secure websites when purchasing items online. Never write down your passwords, PINs, or social security numbers – memorize these.

PROTECT YOUR ACCOUNT

How can you protect your checking account? Don’t give your account number and bank routing information to anyone you don’t know. Only give out your account information for transactions if you are familiar with the company you are dealing with. And if you have not done business with a company before, give out account information only if you have initiated the transaction. Criminals may ask you for your bank account number and then withdraw money from your account by creating a demand draft (sometimes called a “remotely created check”) or making an electronic transfer. They may also ask for your debit or credit card number and other personal information. Don’t fall for these scams and don’t let yourself be pressured into “free trial offers.” To be removed from telemarketing lists, sign up for the National Do Not Call Registry online or by calling, toll-free, 1-888-382-1222.

IN THE EVENT OF A DATA BREACH

• Report any suspected fraud to your bank immediately.
• Use online or mobile banking to protect yourself.  Monitor your accounts regularly for fraudulent transactions.
• Place a fraud alert on your credit reports to prevent thieves from opening more accounts in your name.
• Know your rights under consumer protection laws. If you have a problem with an electronic debit or electronic fund transfer, you have certain rights under the federal Electronic Fund Transfer Act (EFTA), as explained in the Board’s “Consumer Handbook to Credit Protection Laws”. You also have rights under the EFTA if you have a problem with a check that has been converted, as described in the Board brochure “When Is Your Check Not a Check?” The Federal Trade Commission’s publication “Automatic Debit Scams” explains your rights and what to do if you have a problem with a demand draft or remotely created check.

YOU SUSPECT YOUR IDENTITY HAS BEEN STOLEN

• Call your bank and credit card issuers immediately, so they can start working on closing your accounts and clearing your name.
• File a police report and call the fraud unit of the three credit-reporting companies.
  • The fraud unit numbers are:
    • TransUnion 800-680-7289
    • Experian 888-397-3742
    • Equifax 800-525-6285
• Consider placing a victim statement on your credit report.
• Make sure to maintain a log of all the contacts you make with authorities regarding the matter.  Write down names, titles, and phone numbers in case you need to re-contact them or refer to them in future correspondences.
• For more advice, contact the Federal Trade Commission’s (FTC) ID Theft Consumer Response Center at 1-877-ID THEFT (1-877-438-4338) or FTC’s ID Theft Consumer Response Center.
• Check out Identity Theft: What to Know, What to Do

ATM

• Always observe the ATM surroundings before conducting a transaction.
• Block the view of others when using an ATM to make sure they cannot see your Personal Identification Number (PIN).
• Look for possible fraudulent devices attached to an ATM. If anything looks suspicious, go to another machine.
• Never allow a cashier or any other person to enter your PIN for you.
• Minimize time spent at an ATM by having your card ready.
• When using a drive-up ATM after dark, keep your doors locked, passenger windows rolled up and headlights on when conducting your transaction.
• If using an ATM at night, try to take someone with you.
• Check your ATM receipts against your monthly bank statements, just as you do your cancelled checks.
• Don’t store the magnetic strip on the back of your ATM card against the magnetic strip of another credit card in your purse or wallet. It will corrupt the strip and make your card un-usable.
• If you think you are being followed after leaving an ATM, call 911.
• If you see overgrown shrubbery, poor lighting or other potential hazards at your bank’s ATM, report it to your bank immediately.
• Your ATM card is the same as cash, so make sure you keep it in a safe place. Keep your PIN a secret and don’t disclose confidential information about your card over the telephone or the Internet.

10 Things You Can Do To Avoid Fraud

Provided as a public service by American Bankers Association and Pennsylvania Association of Community Bankers.

Note: These tips are intended to provide accurate, yet general consumer information. They are not intended to provide legal, accounting or other professional services. Please contact a professional service provider for specific questions.

¹IDProtect^® service is a personal identity theft protection service available to personal checking account owner(s), their joint account owners and their eligible family members. The service is available to non-publicly traded businesses and their business owner(s) listed on the account and their eligible family members (service not available to employees or authorized signers who are not owners). Service is not available to a “signer” on the account who is not an account owner. Service is not available to clubs, organizations and/or churches and their members, schools and their employees/students. For revocable grantor trusts, the service is available only when a grantor is serving as a trustee and covers the grantor trustee(s) and their eligible family members. For all other fiduciary accounts, the service covers the beneficiary, who must be the primary member, and their eligible family members (Fiduciary is not covered). Family includes: Spouse, persons qualifying as domestic partner, and children under 25 years of age and parent(s) of the account holder who are residents of the same household.

Have peace of mind when you shop with your debit card. The chip technology provides another level of protection against fraud when you use it online and at point-of-sale locations. If you suspect fraud on your debit card please follow the instructions on the back of your card.

Chip cards contain an embedded microchip, which provides enhanced security by making it extremely difficult to counterfeit or copy when making transactions at a chip‐enabled terminal. Your chip card will also have the usual magnetic stripe on the back so that you can continue to swipe your debit card or credit card while merchants are transitioning to new chip card terminals. Chip technology is also more broadly accepted internationally.

Our Mobile Banking app for smartphones allows you to deactivate your debit card when you don’t need it, have misplaced it, or to protect against unauthorized use. You are in control – anytime, anywhere – with our Card Management feature.

WE MAY BE CALLING YOU!

If there is potential fraud, you’ll receive an automated phone call (will display as 800-262-2024 or 877-253-8964). Under no circumstances will you be asked for your account number or PIN. To ensure you can be reached, keep us informed of changes to your phone number, home address, and email. In addition, please notify us in advance of out of state and foreign travel.

If a call is received, enter your zip code and follow the instructions, answering “Yes” or “No” to validate recent transactions. If the automated call reaches your answering machine, a message will be left containing a phone number and case code. If you do not return the call, future transactions may be declined. In the event of an unauthorized transaction, you will be transferred to a Call Center Analyst. Our goal is to protect you from fraud!

At Susquehanna Community Bank, we’re committed to protecting your online and mobile security. Here are some Security and Privacy Best Practices to help keep your information safe:

1. Update Your Devices – Be sure to keep all software, anti-virus, & firewalls up to date. Keep a back-up of any personal data you may store on a device.
2. Keep Your Information Private – Never share your usernames, passwords, or security answers. Memorize information instead of writing it down.
3. Avoid Public WiFi – Be cautious when using public internet. Never access sensitive data in public.
4. Use Our Online Banking – Online Banking allows you to monitor your accounts & transactions. Be sure to utilize our Secure Alerts to get notifications of account activities.
5. Report a Lost Device – Notify the bank of any lost phone or device. Change all usernames & passwords, and be sure to notify your wireless provider if needed.
6. Shop Smart – Only make purchases from reputable & secure websites. Avoid suspicious or unsecured sites.
7. Password Strength – Keep your password strong and change it frequently. Make them difficult to guess. Try using a phrase or sentence.
8. Fake Emails – Be wary of suspicious emails. Never click links or download attachments if you’re unsure of the email.
9. Phone Scams – Never give personal or account information over the phone, especially if they’re trying to sell you something. No reputable company will ever ask for payment via gift cards.
10. Shred It – Always shred or destroy any sensitive documents before throwing them away.
11. Careful Clicking – Never click on something unfamiliar. Avoid visiting unknown websites.
12. Unattended Devices – Always keep an eye on your phone or device. If you must walk away, keep your device locked or shut down.
13. Mobile Security – Lock your phone with a PIN or password. Keep your mobile device updated and never click on a suspicious email or text.
14. Virus Protection – Only utilize & purchase trusted anti-virus software and keep it updated.
15. Be Socially Savvy – Never share any personal or sensitive information on social media sites.

In addition, here are some frequent scams consumers should be aware of:

• Fake Check Scams – Usually, it includes someone offering to buy something you’re selling, pay you to work from home, give you some of the money you’ve “won”, etc. They issue you a check and instruct you to wire the excess back to them. After you send the money, you find out that the check was fake.
• Online Dating Scams – Someone you meet online quickly professes their love and then asks for money or help with emergencies or medical bills.
• Card Cracking Scam – A social media scam that lures people in with the promise of making money quick. They take your information and deposit a fake check into your account, similar to the fake check scam.
• Phishing Scam – You receive a “spoofed” email or text that looks like it comes from a real company. They trick the customer into sharing personal information. If you’re unsure of the legitimacy, contact the company directly using actual information, not the information the email or text gave you.

Learn more important facts about your Account Authentication and Online Banking. The brochure explains how multi-factor authentication and layered security are helping assure safe Internet transactions for banks and their customers.

Your security is our top priority!

Learn More:
Consumer Telephone Scams

With Susquehanna Community Bank, you can rest easy and know that your business account is safe. We take your security seriously and privacy is our main concern. If the bank does need to contact you, we will never ask for sensitive information such as card numbers, PINs, or passwords. Here are some frequent scams businesses should be aware of:

1. Diverted Payments Scam – An invoice requesting a wire transfer will be received via a “spoofed email.” That wire transfer will then be placed into the scammers account. These fake emails can closely resemble an actual client, but may have slight differences. 
2. Executive Wire Request Scam – Similar to the Diverted Payment Scam, this involves a request from a hacker via email that looks like it’s coming from a top executive, or even the CEO. It asks for funds to be wired to an account. If you’re ever unsure, call or talk face-to-face to the employee about this request.
3. Business Email Scam – Again, another wire transfer scam. This one targets the business posed as a vendor or business requesting payment on a job or service, usually via wire transfer. If the company or email seems odd, be sure to contact that company via phone or in person – never respond back to the email.
4. Potential New Customer Scam – Someone will contact you, usually from overseas, pretending to be a potential new customer. They will request a significant purchase overpay for it via ACH or check. They will then ask for the difference to be sent back via wire. The original payment obviously never goes through.

How can you protect your business?

• Keep your devices updated and secure. Never share passwords or sensitive information with others. 
• Educate yourself & your employees on online privacy and security best practices.
• Encrypt sensitive or financial information.
• Review all accounts and investigate any suspicious or unaccounted for activity. Be sure to contact us if you detect a financial problem.
• Utilize our Online Banking to manage and monitor your accounts.

Learn more important facts about your Account Authentication and Online Banking. The brochure explains how multi-factor authentication and layered security are helping assure safe Internet transactions for banks and their customers.

Your security is our top priority!

Learn More About Business Cybersecurity