Security

• They often have a sense of urgency telling you that if you fail to update or confirm your personal or account information, access to your accounts will be suspended. 

They typically ask for personal information such as: 

• Account numbers 
• Credit card and check card numbers 
• Social Security numbers 
• Online banking login IDs or passwords 
• Mother’s maiden name 
• Date of birth 
• Other sensitive information 
• They often include links or email addresses that include a legitimate company’s name or website. 
• The emails and pop-up websites may include misspelled words and improper grammar.

Learn from the FDIC’s video how you can safeguard against electronic scams so you don’t become an online victimundefined. And take these precautions: 

• Never reply to unsolicited emails or pop-up websites that ask for sensitive personal or account information. 
• Type Web addresses into browsers instead of clicking on links in emails. 
• Change your passwords and PINs every 30 to 60 days. 
• Keep your antivirus, anti-malware and antispam filtering software up to date. 
• Monitor your accounts and credit reports regularly. 

If you believe you have provided information about your Bell Bank accounts to a fraudulent email or website, contact us immediately by calling 701-298-1550 or toll-free 800-450-8949.

• Do you give out your bank account numbers? 
  You receive an email from someone you don’t know, asking to confirm your Social Security number for charitable purposes. 
• Do you give out your Social Security number? 
  You open an email from an online sales site you have previously used, asking you to update your personal account information, including your personal identification number (PIN) for your debit card. 
• Do you give out your PIN? 
  You receive a letter, phone call or email identifying you as the lucky winner of a lottery or sweepstakes. All you have to do is pay taxes or fees on your winnings in advance by wiring the money. They are even sending you a check to cover the taxes or fees! 
• Do you wire the money? 
  You open an email asking you to help someone in another country by cashing a money order. For your troubles, the sender says, you will receive $2,000. 
• Do you send the money? 
  You are selling your car, and the buyer sends you an “official check” for thousands more than your asking price. They tell you this was an error and ask you to wire the excess funds back to them. 
• Do you wire the money? 
  The answer to all of these questions, of course, should be “No.” But the reality is that bank customers fall victim to these and other real-life scams every week. Most of us are trusting people, and we assume that others are as law-abiding as we are. 

Unfortunately, others are not all as law-abiding. Criminals want your personal bank account information, PIN or Social Security number so they can make huge profits at your expense.

If you receive an e-mail, Internet pop-up, phone call or letter asking for your personal information – bank account or bank routing number, PINs, Social Security number or credit card information – do not give out that information. 

Unless you have initiated the phone call, never give out personal information. You must know who you are talking to. 

Remember, you are responsible for any check, money order or other item you deposit that turns out to be counterfeit, even if the bank has already made the funds available for you to use. Funds may be charged back against your account if the item doesn’t clear.

Remember, Bell Bank will never call or email you to ask for your account numbers, Social Security number, or other personal information. We already have all your account information, right here at the bank. Nor will any other financial institution, business or government agency call requesting that you provide personal information. 

We also recommend that you monitor your credit report for unauthorized activity. You are entitled to receive a free copy of your credit report once every 12 months. Request a report by visiting the official government site, or by calling 877-322-8228.

If you are a Bell Bank personal checking customer, and you believe you have fallen victim to fraud or identity theft, contact any Bell Bank location. 

This program covers any identity theft, such as fraudulent use of your name, Social Security number, bank account, any credit/debit card, or other identifying information – even of non-Bell Bank accounts and credit cards– with up to $10,000 ID theft expense reimbursement insurance. Plus, a FREE Personal Recovery Advocate assigned to you will manage your recovery plan and contact banks, credit card companies and agencies such as the DMV, Social Security and the U.S. Post Office for you, working on your behalf for as long as it takes to recover your good name. 

For more tips on how you can avoid identity theft and fraud, visit the Federal Trade Commission’s website regarding Privacy, Identity & Online Security.