Stay Cyber Safe

Fraud occurs when someone uses your personal information such as your name, Social Security number, credit card number or other identifying information, without your permission to commit crimes. We can help you protect yourself.

Steps to Take to Protect Your Personal Information:

• Use strong passwords.
• Check your credit report frequently.
• Keep important documents secure.
• Be mindful of sharing too much information on social media.
• Stay alert about common scams and look out for warning signs.
• Don’t give out personal information by phone, text or email.
• Be skeptical of unsolicited requests to verify account information.
• Enable Multifactor Authentication (MFA) for your financial accounts.

Signs You May be a Victim of Fraud:

• You are receiving mail for loans or credit cards you did not apply for.
• You have unknown inquiries on your credit report.
• Your bank, credit card, or other financial account show unauthorized transactions.
• The IRS has rejected your tax filing as “previously filed.”
• Your health plan rejects your legitimate medical claim because the records show you’ve reached your benefits limit.

Who to Contact If You’re a Victim of Fraud:

• Your financial institution, credit card companies, mortgage company, etc.
• Credit Reporting Bureaus—Equifax, Experian and TransUnion
  Federal Trade Commission 

Don’t Ignore Those Strange Calls and Emails

Have you ever gotten a phone call or email that felt a little weird? Maybe the caller was a little too familiar, and tried to pump you for information. Or maybe you got an email that looked right, but was worded strangely. Never ignore communications like that, because all too often it’s bad guys testing for weak spots. If you get a suspicious call or email, or you think your account may have been compromised, report it. Immediately.

Call Clear Lake Bank & Trust Monday through Saturday during regular business hours at 641.357.721. 

The IRS is Here to Help

If you’ve been the victim of tax fraud, you can call the IRS ID Protection Unit directly. Call the IRS at 800.908.4490.

Get the IRS After Them

Received an email that claims to be from the IRS? Something feel strange about it? Forward it directly to the Internal Revenue Service. Email the IRS.

Get These Guys After the Bad Guys

If you’ve received a phishing email, forward it to the Anti-Phishing Working Group. Email APWG.

Clicked a Suspicious Email? Here’s Help!

You can go to OnGuardOnline to report emails you suspect may have included malicious code or an attachment that you downloaded. Visit OnGuardOnline.

Recent Scam Trends

• Tech support scams
• Virus pop up screens on your PC scams
• Emails regarding unauthorized charges on your Amazon, Paypal, etc. account scams
• Unknown callers requesting you withdraw money and insist you lie to the bank scams
• Unknown callers telling you to open a new bank account scams
• Romance scams

Should you have any questions, please call us at 641.357.7121 or visit your nearest Clear Lake Bank & Trust location and we will be happy to assist you.