Identity Theft Awareness Week: Limit Online Sharing

Identity Theft Awareness Week is January 26-30. Resolve to protect your identity this New Year by limiting what you share online and avoid oversharing personal details.

Did you know that nine out of 10 consumers have had their personal information exposed online? One of the most common ways that fraudsters can steal your information is through phishing scams. Through phishing, you’ll be tricked into sharing your passwords, account information, or personal details through email, phone, text message, or even through a spoofed platform that simulates your Online Banking login! Fraudsters sometimes use actual personal data in their schemes to try to convince you that they are legitimate. One way to combat this is to avoid excess sharing of your information online and by verifying the identity of the person asking you to share your personal information.

How to Protect Your Identity Online

• Safeguard your computer and devices with security software.
• Stay on top of and download software and hardware updates on your devices.
• Set strong and unique passwords for all your online accounts.
• Employ multi-factor authentication on all your online accounts.
• Regularly back up your data on a hard drive.
• Never click on links or download files from unrecognizable sources.
• Never provide your financial or personal information without verifying the source.
• Avoid oversharing on social media or online “quizzes” that can capture your personal information.
• If you receive an email, phone call, or text from a bank or company you do business with, asking for personal or financial information they should already have, do not respond! Instead, call them directly at their published number.

Want to learn more about Identity Theft Prevention?

This Identity Theft Awareness Week, we’re equipping you with the information you need to protect your personal information all year round. Watch for new content all week long. Visit our Identity Theft Awareness Week webpage to learn more or drop by any office to pick up a free Identity Theft brochure.

North Shore Bank and Abington Bank are here to protect you.

Your security is our priority. Remember, we will NEVER contact you to ask you for personal or financial information. Contact 877.380.2265 or stop by your nearest office if you think you’ve been the victim of fraud.