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We may be calling you

To protect your account, we monitor your ATM and debit card transactions for potentially fraudulent activity which may include a sudden change in locale (such as when a U.S. – issued card is used unexpectedly overseas), a sudden string of costly purchases, or any pattern associated with new fraud trends around the world. 

If we suspect fraudulent ATM or debit card use, we’ll be calling you to validate the legitimacy of your transactions.  Your participation in responding to our call is critical to prevent potential risk and avoid restrictions we may place on the use of your card.

  • Our automated call will ask you to verify recent transaction activity on your card
  • You’ll be able to respond via your touchtone keypad
  • You’ll also be provided with toll-free number to call should you have additional questions.

Our goal, quite simply is to minimize your exposure to risk and the impact of any fraud.  To ensure can can continue to reach you whenever potential fraud is detected, please keep us informed of your correct phone number and address at all times.

In the meantime, please be diligent in monitoring transaction activity on your account and contact us immediately if you identify any fraudulent transactions.  Here are some additional tips on protecting yourself from debit card fraud:

Protect Yourself

Unless absolutely required for legitimate business purposes, avoid giving out your:

  • Address and zip code
  • Phone number
  • Date of birth
  • Social Security number
  • Card or Account Number
  • Card expiration date

Your PIN is private;  NEVER give it out.

In stores and at ATMs, always cover your card and PIN and watch for

  • Cell phone cameras, mirrors and other tools used to view cards and PINS
  • People watching your transactions
  • Cashiers taking your card out of sight;  take it to the register yourself
  • Any unusual activity at ATMs;  if you feel uncomfortable, go to another ATM

Online, you should never respond to unsolicited emails that:

  • Ask you to verify your card or account number
  • Link to websites, such sites can look legitimate but may collect data or put spyware on your computer

For questions or additional information, contact us or call 800.645.4199.

Helpful Links & Numbers

Equifax:

1-800-525-6285 or visit them online at www.equifax.com

Experian (formerly TRW):

1-888-397-3742 or visit them online at www.experian.com

Trans Union:

1-800-680-7289 or visit them online at www.tuc.com

Social Security Administration (fraud line):

1-800-269-0271

Privacy Rights

www.privacyrights.org/identity.htm

U.S. Department of Justice ID Theft kit

www.justice.gov/criminal/fraud/websites/idtheft.html

Identity Theft Resource Center

www.idtheftcenter.org
www.idtheft.gov

Tennessee Department of Safety & Homeland Security

http://www.tn.gov/safety/cididtheft.shtml

Reporting

http://www.ic3.gov/default.aspx

If You Are Contacted By F&M Bank, REMEMBER …

F&M Bank will never ask for your personal or account information via phone, email or text messaging.

Be positive you know with whom you are speaking on the phone BEFORE giving out credit card or bank account numbers. F&M Bank will NEVER ask for your ATM or Check Card PIN (personal identification number) for any reason! And we will NEVER contact you via e-mail regarding sensitive financial information. If you receive a phone call from someone identifying himself or herself with F&M ... and you are unsure of the person's identity ...hang up and call us back to verify the authenticity of the person with whom you are speaking. Keep your identity SECURE!

Don't Fall for Phishing

Guard Against Identity Theft

Think You've Been a Victim of Phishing?

If you believe you may have given sensitive information over the phone or Internet, please contact your local F&M branch immediately. For more information on what to do if you think you may have been a victim, consult our Identity Theft page.

Protect Yourself Against Phishing

Phishing is a form of online fraud which occurs when someone poses as a legitimate company to obtain sensitive personal data and illegally conduct transactions on your existing accounts. Usually it occurs in the form of fraudulent emails, text messages, or phone calls that appear to come from legitimate sources. These communications ask customers to verify personal information or link to counterfeit web sites that appear real or ask you to call to a phone number to reactivate your account.

Watch out for emails, calls, text messages, or other communication that urge you to act quickly because your account may be suspended or closed, or to update your personal information.


Always keep in mind that F&M Bank will never send emails or other messages that require customers to send personal information to us via email, website links, pop-up windows. Any unsolicited request for F&M Bank account information you receive through emails, web sites, text messages, or other communication should be considered fraudulent and reported immediately to an F&M Bank representative.

Helpful Hints to Identify Phishing

  • The message doesn't address you by name, but use a more generic one like "Dear valued customer."
  • It asks for account numbers, passwords, Social Security numbers, Access IDs, or other personal information.
  • It asks you to verify your check card number by clicking on a link or calling a toll free or local phone number.

F&M Bank will NEVER ask for sensitive information, such as Social Security numbers, account numbers, Access IDs or passwords, via e-mail.  Beware of internet phishing scams.  Do not respond to internet, e-mail, or phone requests for debit/credit card, bank account, or family information.  Internet fraud is becoming rampant.  Guard your personal information carefully!

 

Take Care With Credit & Debit Cards  

Whether you are traveling, enjoying a night out, or simply shopping ... be careful when using your credit cards and F&M ExpressCheck Card for purchases and cash withdrawals from ATMs.

  • Guard your card numbers
  • Guard your PIN

Be aware of your surroundings. Watch for people holding cell phones near you at retail stores, restaurants and grocery stores. With the new CAMERA cell phones, photos can be taken of your credit card, which gives them your name, number and expiration date. This information could allow someone to make multiple purchases on your account before you realize it.

 

What If My Wallet Is Stolen?

  1. Be prepared. Make a log of everything in your wallet including drivers license, debit cards, credit cards, Social Security card, etc. Be sure to include account numbers as well as the telephone contact information printed on the back of the card, so you have the information to quickly report the loss. Keep this log in a safe place other than your wallet. If you are traveling, carry a duplicate copy of your passport for identification. File a police report immediately in the jurisdiction where your wallet is stolen, which proves to credit providers you were diligent.

     

  2. Immediately call the three national credit-reporting organizations and place a fraud alert on your name and Social Security number. This alert notifies companies that checks your credit that your information was stolen and that you must be contacted by phone before new credit can be authorized. 

The phone numbers are:

  • Equifax: 1-800-525-6285
  • Experian (formerly TRW): 1-888-397-3742
  • Trans Union: 1-800-680-7289

Also contact the Social Security Administration fraud line at 1-800-269-0271.

 

Helpful Hints

  • The next time you order checks, use your first initial instead of first name in the address area. If someone takes your checkbook they will not know if you sign your checks with just your initials or your first name, but F&M Bank does. You continue to sign the checks the same as always. In order to change your printed name on your checks, stop by the nearest F&M Bank location
  • When you are writing checks to pay on your credit card accounts, DO NOT put the complete account number on the "For" line. Instead, just put the last four numbers. The credit card company knows the rest of the number and anyone who might be handling your check as it passes through all the check processing channels won't have access to it.
  •  Put your work phone number on your checks instead of your home phone number.
  •  If you have a PO Box, use that instead of your home address. If you do not have a PO Box, use your work address.
  •  Never have your Social Security number printed on your checks. You can add it later if it is necessary, but if you have it printed, anyone can get it.
  •  Cancel your credit cards immediately if they are stolen. However, the key is having the toll-free numbers and your card numbers handy so you know whom to call.
  •  Carry a photocopy of your passport when you travel here or abroad.
  •  Make a photocopy of the contents of your wallet - copy both sides of your driver’s license, credit cards, etc. Keep the photocopy in a safe place, NOT IN YOUR WALLET.
  •  File a police report immediately in the jurisdiction where your wallet is stolen, which proves to credit providers you were diligent.

If your wallet is stolen, call the three national credit reporting organizations immediately to place a fraud alert on your name and Social Security number. The alert means any company that checks your credit knows your information was stolen and they have to contact you by phone to authorize new credit. 

 

 Your ID Smart Choice