Glens Falls National Bank and Trust Co.
is urging customers to take an active role in
protecting their technology data.
“Glens Falls National Bank’s first priority
is protecting our customers’ money and information,”
said Tom Murphy, President and
CEO. “We use a combination of safeguards,
and we encourage our customers to do the
same.”
National Data Privacy Day was Jan. 28,
the bank noted.
To help ensure the safety of personal
information, the bank offered the following
tips:
• Create “c0mplic@t3d” passwords. Avoid
birthdays, pet names and simple passwords
like 12345. It is also important to change
passwords at least three times a year. Theft
by someone the victim knows is the most
common type of identity theft or fraud,
so don’t share your passwords with family
members and be mindful of who has access
to your personal information.
• Keep tabs on your accounts. Check
account activity often online or by phone,
instead of waiting for the monthly statement
to arrive in the mail. You are the first line
of defense because you know right away if
a transaction is fraudulent. If you notice
unusual or unauthorized activity, notify your
bank right away. When a customer reports
an unauthorized transaction in a timely
manner, the bank will take measures to help
protect the account.
• Stay alert online. Be sure computers and
mobile devices are equipped with up-to-date
anti-virus and malware protection. Never
give out your personal financial information
in response to an unsolicited email, no matter
how official it may seem. A bank should
never contact you by email asking for your
password, PIN or account information.
Avoid opening links and attachments
– especially from senders you don’t know.
When submitting financial information on a website, look for the padlock or key icon
at the top or bottom of your browser, and
make sure the Internet address begins with
“https” – this signals your information is
secure during transmission.
• Mobilize your defenses. Use the passcode
lock on your smartphone and other
devices. This will make it more difficult for
thieves to access your information if your device
is lost or stolen. Before you donate, sell
or trade your mobile device, be sure to wipe
it using specialized software or using the
manufacturer’s recommended technique.
Some software allows you to wipe your
device remotely if it is lost or stolen. Use
caution when downloading apps, as they may
contain malware.
Murphy also offered tips for people who
have been victimized. He said victims of
fraud and those who suspect personal information
has been compromised should take
the following steps:
• Call your bank and credit card issuers
immediately so they can take necessary
steps to protect your account.
• File a police report and call the fraud
unit of the three credit-reporting companies.
• Consider placing a victim statement
in your credit report and a fraud alert on
your account.
• Keep a log of all the contacts you make
with authorities regarding the matter. Write
down names, titles, and phone numbers in
case you need to contact them again or refer
to them in future correspondence.
• Contact the FTC’s ID Theft Consumer
Response Center at (877) ID THEFT or www.ftc.gov/idtheft.
Data Privacy Day commemorated the 1981
signing of the first legally binding international
treaty dealing with privacy and data
protection. It is led by the National Cyber
Security Alliance, a nonprofit, public private
partnership focused on cyber security education
for all online citizens.