There are several effective security techniques that we encourage you to implement while using the Internet banking service:

• Never reveal your password to anyone or leave your password anywhere that someone else can obtain and use it.
• Change your password on a regular basis.
• Use the Exit button to end each Internet banking session. Do not use the Back button to exit the site.
• Change your ‘session timeout’ on the User Options page to a time that meets your needs.
• Balance your account on a regular basis. Internet Banking makes it easy!

Please be advised Millville Savings and Loan will NOT contact you by email, phone or text message. There are currently multiple “phishing” scammers who trick customers into giving out personal information. Please do not give your financial information to anyone, and if contacted please notify customer service at (856) 825-0809.

The New Jersey Department of Banking & Insurance also has helpful information on their website about preventing identity theft.

Common Sense Can Keep Your Identity Intact

We are committed to the prevention of bank fraud and the protection of our customers’ identities. You can help the bank and yourself by following common sense rules and procedures:

1. Don’t give personal information to unauthorized strangers; protect your Social Security number and your driver’s license information.
2. Write your checks carefully; don’t allow space for someone to make an alteration.
3. Report stolen checks.
4. Protect personal information. Place your checks in a secure place in your home; don’t leave checks or identity information in your car or any other easily accessible place.
5. Destroy old checks.
6. Notify the bank of your intent to close an account.
7. If you realize that you are not receiving customary mail such as bank statements, credit card bills, motor vehicle renewals, your identity may be compromised. Inform the bank immediately.
8. Don’t carelessly discard old records that can be retrieved intact; shred them.
9. Be vigilant! If you suspect that your identity has been compromised, report your concern to the bank at once.
10. Beware of prying eyes when using the ATM or completing a deposit slip. Your PIN or account number can be seen and stolen.
11. Report any robbery, break-in, personal loss or purse-snatching; even if valuables are recovered, there is always the possibility that vital data could have been copied.
12. When a teller asks a question such as “what are the last four of your social?” or “what is your mother’s maiden name?” please cooperate. Such questions will help them verify your identity to help prevent identity theft and verify you in case your identity has been stolen by someone else.

Prevention is the key to controlling bank fraud and the devastating harm caused by identity theft. Join with the bank in safe-guarding your assets and ensuring your peace of mind.

If you become a victim, please report the circumstances to law enforcement authorities and to the credit bureaus to the right.

1. Make a conscious effort to survey the area immediately adjacent to the ATM machine. Look for suspicious people or situations. If something does not look right, do not initiate your transaction. Leave the area and use another machine or come back at another time.
2. Close the entry door of any automated teller machine facility.
3. Limit your time at the machine. Prior to arriving at the site, have your card out and ready when you approach the ATM.
4. In order to block the view of your transactions, stand between the machine and those waiting to use it after you.
5. Put your cash in your wallet or purse, check to see that you have your card and receipt and leave the ATM immediately. Carefully watch for anyone approaching you or starting to follow you.
6. Always keep your PIN a secret. Never give the number to anyone or write it down anywhere.
7. Notify us immediately if your card or PIN is lost or stolen. After normal business hours you can call 1-800-472-3272.
8. Never let anyone use your card or PIN. Never give information about your account, your card or your PIN to strangers or to people who call you on the telephone.
9. Direct complaints concerning automated teller machine security to Millville Savings Bank 844-246-1403.

Facts you should know.
Criminals are constantly improving their methods of stealing your personal financial information through fraudulent e-mails and web sites designed to appear as though they were generated from legitimate businesses, financial institutions and even government agencies. This criminal activity is known as “phishing.” They are literally fishing for your personal information. This information is money in their pockets.

Grammatical errors and poor web site quality used to be common identifiers of these phishing web sites. Errors are not as common as before. Criminals improve their techniques with time, and this is evident in newer phishing messages.

This article will educate you on these scams, provide suggestions on how to avoid becoming a victim, and provide information on steps to take should you become a victim of phishing.

Avoiding the Scams

• Never provide any personal information to an inquiry that is originated by someone else. Do not respond to email inquiries even if they appear to be from a legitimate source. Millville Savings Bank, or other financial institutions, business or government agency will request you to confirm personal information. Millville Savings Bank and these other organizations already have that information if you have conducted business with them before. Do not provide social security numbers, account numbers, credit card numbers, passwords, user name, etc.
• Always use a secure web site when submitting credit card or other personal information in transactions that you initiate.
• Monitor your bank, credit card and other accounts regularly to ensure that all transactions are legitimate.
• Be suspicious of any email notifications requiring you to act immediately to prevent an account being closed or voided. Don’t be intimidated!
• Protect your social security number.
• Don’t use links that are provided in any suspicious emails.
• Apply security patches and be sure your browser is up to date.
•  Contact the bank or other business if you become suspicious of any e-mail alleging to come from them.
• Report suspicious e-mail or phone activity to the Federal Trade Commission by using the FTC’s Identity Theft Hotline:
  • By telephone: 1-877-IDTHEFT (438-4338)
  • Online at http://www.consumer.gov/idtheft
  • By mail at Identity Theft Clearinghouse, Federal Trade Commission,
    600 Pennsylvania Avenue NW, Washington DC 20580
• Sign up for the National Do Not Call Registry via the FTC’s website http://www.donotcall.gov or via their toll-free hotline 1-888-382-1222
• The State of New Jersey has a comprehensive Do Not Call website – http://www.state.nj.us/donotcall. The law allows the New Jersey Division of Consumer Affairs to utilize the New Jersey telephone numbers on the federal “Do Not Call” registry to establish a State-specific no telemarketing call list. That means anyone who has signed up for the federal registry is automatically placed on the State’s list and covered under the law. You are not required to register again with New Jersey. You may contact Consumer Affairs at 888-NJNOCALL (888-656-6225) or log onto http://www.njconsumeraffairs.com for a complaint form.
• Monitor your credit report at least annually.

Advice for Victims of Phishing

• Contact your financial institution(s) immediately.
• Contact one of the three major credit bureaus and request that a fraud alert be placed on your credit reports. Request a free copy of your credit reports. The law allows this free report once a year.

• Using the websites and/or telephone numbers above, file a complaint with the Federal Trade Commission and the New Jersey Division of Consumer Affairs.
• Review all billing and bank statements immediately for accuracy.
• Close any affected accounts and open new ones.
• Contact local enforcement and file a police report.
• Contact the Social Security Administration if your SS number has been compromised. (They have a very useful and informative page regarding Identity Theft and your SS Number.)
• Document your activity.

Other Scams

• “Lotteries” or “sweepstakes” advise you that you have won money, but they require money from you up front to buy something , or to somehow ensure your chances of receiving your winnings.
• Buyers of something you have advertised for sale that insist on mailing payment via cashier’s check. Many times, the check is for an amount larger than the purchased price, and the buyer requests that the overage be sent back to him via money order. The cashier’s check is counterfeit.
• “Sponsors” or “charities” will push for contributions but will be reluctant to provide identifying information about themselves when questioned.
• The Nigerian and other similar scam letters, e-mails or faxes are from someone purporting to have money in his country that cannot be accessed because of “rules and regulations.” You are to be rewarded handsomely for your help getting this money back. All you have to do is to provide your bank account information and money up front to take care of “necessary expenses.” You are, of course, asked to keep this plot a secret. Once they have drained all the money they can from you, you never hear from them again.

Protect Your Personal Information.

Criminals want your personal account information and social security number. They can make huge profits at your expense. Don’t give them your information, be suspicious of any electronic messages, phone calls or mail requests that ask for personal data. Find out more about phishing and other crimes at:

• Anti-Phishing Work Group
• Federal Trade Commission
• Department of Justice Fraud Section
• Identity Theft Resource Center