The Peoples Bank Co. realizes that information is critical to providing quality service and products. We also recognize that one of our most important assets is our customers’ trust so the confidentiality and safekeeping of our customer information must be a priority.
The Peoples Bank Co. collects, retains, and uses information about individual customers only when we believe it would be useful (and allowed by law) in the administering of our business and to provide products, services and other opportunities to customers. This information is obtained from applications, transactions and consumer report information.
We restrict access to nonpublic personal information about you to those employees who need to know that information to provide products or services to you. We maintain physical, electronic and procedural safeguards that comply with federal regulations to guard your nonpublic personal information.
The Peoples Bank Co. makes disclosures to third parties only as permitted by law.
At The Peoples Bank Co. we continually strive to maintain complete and accurate information about you and your accounts. Should you ever believe that our records contain inaccurate or incomplete information, please notify us. We will investigate your concerns and correct any inaccuracies.
Help Us Protect You from Identity Fraud or Theft
Government officials call identity fraud and theft the fastest growing crime in the nation. In addition to forging checks and documents, thieves will also attempt to obtain personal information such as social security numbers, driver's license numbers, credit card numbers and even birth certificates. With this information, a thief will open accounts in the victim's name for credit cards and loans with the mail diverted to a different address. It could take you months or years to learn that you are a victim with this method.
This brochure informs you of some of the precautions that may be taken to protect our customers from these crimes, suggests ways you can guard against this crime, and what to do if you think you may be a victim. We realize that some of these procedures and suggestions may be inconvenient but they can protect you from these crimes.
For Your Safety
In an effort to avoid these crimes, you may be asked to do the following when conducting transactions. We would appreciate your patience and understanding regarding these safety precautions. You may be asked to
Show identification prior to receiving cash - This ensures you that someone else will not be able to cash your checks or take money out of your accounts.
Show proof of identification when opening a new account - This makes it much more difficult for a thief to open an account in your name
Sign all important documents in the presence of a bank employee or have your signature notarized - This prevents a thief from forging your signature on important documents such as loan applications, contracts, signature cards, etc.
Guard Against Identity Fraud
Here are some ways you can protect yourself from this crime.
Remove all mail promptly from your mailbox - thieves raid mailboxes!
Guard your personal information - Do not give out personal information over the phone or the internet unless you initiated the transaction. If someone you do not know attempts to obtain personal information from you either by phone, email, mail, or in person, do not give out the information until you have the opportunity to verify the request. Immediately contact the business or individual supposedly making the request and ask for verification. The bank will never request confidential information through e-mail.
Be careful with receipts - Make sure you have them when you leave the store or ATM and do not throw them into a public trash can.
Review your credit report from time to time - For a small fee, you can obtain a copy to review.
Destroy credit card offers before you throw them out - A home shredder is the best thing to use on any financial information being discarded.
Keep all account information and documents in a safe place - Especially new or cancelled checks, credit card statements, etc. Report any missing documents immediately!
Block your ATM transactions with your body - Keep the keypad from view to prevent someone from learning your personal identification number (PIN).
Remember all passwords and PIN numbers - The less you have on paper the less likely it is that someone will learn those numbers
Be creative when selecting a password - Don't use obvious ones like the last four digits of your social security number, phone number, address, birth date, etc.
What to Do if You Are a Victim of Identity Fraud
Close your accounts at your credit card companies and financial institutions - The FBI even suggests that you put passwords on any new accounts you open.
Call the three major credit bureaus to inform them your identity has been stolen - Request that a fraud alert be placed on your file and that no new credit be granted without your approval.
The three major credit bureaus are:
Equifax - 800-525-6285
Experian - 888-397-3742
Trans Union - 800-680-7389
Call the Social Security Fraud Hotline - 800-269-0271
Contact the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) theft hotline - 877-438-4338
File report with the local law enforcement - You may want to obtain a copy of the report in case you need proof of the crime at a later date.
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