SECURITY TIPS

Identity Theft

When someone uses your name, social security number and other personal information they are committing a serious crime called identity theft.

We work hard to protect your personal information. It is the cornerstone of our bank to maintain the privacy of your information and your relationship with the bank.

What can you do to keep this from happening to you?

Diligence
Awareness
Keeping track of your financial activity

If you suspect that you are the victim of identity theft, contact us immediately at 501-221-6400. We will work with you to correct the situation and protect your assets at Central Bank.

Fraud Alerts

Fraud alerts can help prevent an identity thief from opening any more accounts in your name. Contact the toll-free fraud number of any of the three consumer reporting companies below to place a fraud alert on your credit report. You only need to contact one of the three companies to place an alert. The company you call is required to contact the other two, which will place an alert on their versions of your report, too. If you do not receive a confirmation from a company, you should contact that company directly to place a fraud alert.

TransUnion

1-800-680-7289
P.O. Box 6790
Fullerton, CA 92834-6790
www.transunion.com

Equifax

1-800-525-6285
P.O. Box 740241
Atlanta, GA 30374-0241
www.equifax.com

Experian

1-888-397-3742
P.O. Box 9532
Allen, TX 75013
www.experian.com

Scams & Fraud

If you think your accounts may be at risk due to fraudulent activity or a scam, call us immediately at 501-221-6400 so we can assist you in resolving the issue.

Remember, Central Bank will never call you directly and ask for sensitive, personal information over the phone or by email. Anyone asking you to confirm account numbers or verify Social Security Numbers is not doing so legitimately.

Fraud

fraud (frôd) n. A deception deliberately practiced in order to secure an unfair or unlawful gain. A piece of trickery; a trick. Intentional misrepresentation or concealment of information in order to deceive or mislead.

No matter how you define it – it’s illegal. In banking, fraud can be as simple as an individual kiting a check or as complex as a scam to defraud the banking industry through bogus schemes. At Central Bank, we use a system of checks and balances that includes bank officer approval, daily review of internal reports, secondary control, audits and a check imaging system to protect bank assets and your assets from fraudulent activity. If you suspect fraudulent activity on your accounts please contact the bank immediately.

Scams

The Nigerian Scam. Fake MoneyGrams. eBay scams. Don’t call certain Area Codes. Bait and switch. Chain mail letters (and Spam emails!). Scholarship scams. The list goes on. If someone is trying to get you to part with your hard earned money – you’re being scammed. Every generation hands down a simple bit of advice – if it sounds to good to be true, it is.

Don’t be taken in by a scam. If someone absolutely demands that you need to make a decision right then or the deal is off – walk away! No legitimate business or person is going to make such an ultimatum. It’s your money and you have every right and expectation to take your time to research and double-check the facts before proceeding with a transaction.

If you think you have been a victim of a scam, report it to the Police. Sure, you may be a little embarrassed that you got taken in, but, the person who did it to you is counting on that! Also, how would you feel if someone else got taken and you could have done something to prevent it?

Phishing

Short for “phony fishing”.

When someone calls your home and tells you they are with the bank, electric company, credit card company, etc. and they need you to verify your account information, they are “phishing” for information. People are taken in by this scam every day.

People phishing for information may even appear at your door posing as a worker for a utility company.

Another method of phishing in today’s world is via the internet. Phishers will create a fake web site that looks exactly like a legitimate web site and then send victims an email asking them to click a link to update their account information. Any information entered on the fake site is then used to perpetrate fraud or identity theft.

Protect yourself. No legitimate company will gather information from you in this manner. If someone calls you to tell you your account is in error and you need to give them information for verification – tell them you will call them back and hang up. Contact the bank or company directly and report the call. Never give personal information over the phone – especially your Social Security Number or bank account numbers.

Central Bank will never solicit personal, private information via email or telephone. If someone calls you asking for your private information – hang up. Then call us at 501-221-6400.

We’re here to help.