Scam 101
Sharpen your knowledge and learn how to protect yourself from scams.
What is Phishing?
Phishing is a scam that uses fraudulent emails to falsely solicit personal financial information. In some cases, the email stresses urgency and threatens dire consequences if you do not respond via email or click an embedded link to then provide private information. Be suspicious of any email with requests for personal financial information.
Although there's no foolproof way to spot a phishing email, watch for these signs:
- Requests for personal or financial information. Legitimate companies do not ask for this type of information via email for any reason. Liberty Bank will never ask you for your personal financial information in an email.
- Sense of urgency. Emails containing statements that imply that your account will be closed if you don't respond shouldn't be opened.
- Obvious spelling errors. Either in the body of the email or in the URL are purposeful errors to help avoid spam filters.
- Questionable links. If you mouse over a link (but do not click on it) your email program will most likely show the full destination URL. Typos or slight variations in the company's web address may tip-off that the link is not legitimate.
What is Spoofing?
Spoofing is the use of a website or email that appears to come from a well-known company. For example, a spoofed online banking website could redirect you to an illegitimate page that looks just like your real bank's website. These spoofed websites are then used to obtain password or PIN, credit card information, ATM or Debit information, Social Security Number, or your bank account information.
Here are some precautions to take to help you avoid spoofed websites:
- Check for typos or misspelled words in the URL
- Be cautious of sites that ask for sensitive information like a Social Security Numbers
- Before entering payment information, verify that sites are secure and use encryption by looking for a lock symbol in the browser window and checking that the address starts with “https://” rather than just “http://”.
What You Can Do to Prevent Fraud
If you suspect an email or pop-up message might not be authentic, don't click respond or on an embedded link. Call the company or log onto the website directly by typing in the web address in your browser. If the email in question looks like it came from Liberty Bank, call our Customer Service Center at (888) 570-0773 to confirm the message's legitimacy, or you can type liberty-bank.com into your browser and go to our website that way.
Regularly log on to your online accounts and review your transaction history to ensure all transactions are legitimate. Ensure that your browser is up to date and security patches are applied. Regularly update your virus detection software and spyware scanning tools.
If you suspect that you have been directed to a false Liberty Bank website, or if you are receiving fraudulent emails or phone calls claiming to be from Liberty Bank, report it or call us at (888) 570-0773.
How to Protect Yourself
The Dos:
- Report any lost or stolen ATM/Debit Card or lost or stolen personal checks.
- Sign up for online and mobile banking to keep a close eye on your accounts.
- Balance your checking or savings account statement every month and report any unauthorized transactions to the bank immediately.
- Regularly review credit card statements to check for unauthorized charges.
- Shred your charge receipts, credit card applications, insurance forms, old checks, bank statements, anything that contains any of your personal identification.
- For an extra layer of security when calling Liberty Bank, call us at (888) 570-0773 and add a passphrase to your profile that only you would know.
The Don'ts:
- Never use an unsecured network or a shared computer.
- Never share your Personal Identification Number (PIN) or password.
- Never give out personal information such as your checking or savings account number, credit card number or social security number, through the mail, telephone or Internet, unless you have initiated the contact.
Liberty Bank employees will never ask you for your Online Banking password. In addition, Liberty Bank will never request that you send an unsecured email containing your personal or financial information.
More Fraud Tips from Liberty Bank (PDF)
Victims of Identity Theft or Online Fraud
We’re here for you. If you believe that you have been the victim of fraud, please contact us as soon as you can, so we can take action to protect your accounts with Liberty Bank.
Please call our Customer Service Center or go to your nearest branch to report:
- Suspicious email
- Fraudulent activity on a Liberty Bank account
- Fraudulent online banking activity
- Lost or stolen ATM card/debit card
- Lost or stolen credit card
- Lost or stolen Liberty Bank checks
- Identity theft
If you have a Liberty Bank Debit MasterCard®, it comes with free identify theft protection services. Learn more and enroll.
Liberty Bank Customer Service Center
(888) 570-0773
Weekdays – 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. (EST)
Saturdays – 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. (EST)
- Debit cards: You can report a lost or stolen Liberty Bank debit card by calling (888) 570-0773 and selecting option #3 when prompted.
- Credit cards: You can report a lost or stolen Liberty Bank credit card by calling (888) 570-0773 and selecting option #4 when prompted.
In addition to contacting Liberty Bank, you can also follow these steps recommended by the Federal Trade Commission at www.IdentityTheft.gov.
Step 1: Call the companies where you know fraud occurred.
Call the fraud department and explain that someone stole your identity. Ask them to close or freeze the accounts. Change logins, passwords and PINS for your accounts.
Step 2: Place a fraud alert and get your credit report.
To place a fraud alert, contact one of the three credit bureaus. That company must tell the other two.
Get your free credit report at annualcreditreport.com or call (877) 322-3228 and review your reports for accuracy.
Step 3: Report identity theft to the FTC.
Complete the FTC’s online complaint form at ftc.gov/complaint. Give as many details as you can.
Step 4: File a report with your local police department.
Keep a log of all conversations when contacting law enforcement and financial institutions, including dates, times, names and phone numbers. Confirm conversations in writing. Send correspondence by certified mail (return receipt requested). Keep copies of all documents.
The FTC offers guidance and free publications on protecting yourself from fraud. Learn more at consumer.ftc.gov.