Protect Yourself

Security Tips
While anyone can fall prey to fraud and identity theft, there are many ways to reduce your risk.  Midwest Heritage Bank provides these helpful tips so that you can guard against fraud and identity theft.

What is Identity Theft?
Take the time to read the latest information on Identity Theft and Phishing. Please Read!
 
How to obtain a FREE credit report www.annualcreditreport.com

Keep your private information private

• Never give out personal information over the telephone, such as your social security number, date of birth, mother’s maiden name, credit card number, bank account numbers or bank PIN code.  Midwest Heritage Bank will never request that you submit confidential information over non-secure channels such as e-mail or phone calls initiated by us.
• Keep your Social Security number (including your Earnings and Benefit statements), birth certificate and other personal identification in a safe place.
• Memorize your Social Security number and all passwords.  Do not record them on any cards or on anything in your wallet or purse.
• Avoid easy to figure out access and personal ID (PIN) codes.
• Do not include your driver’s license or Social Security number on your pre-printed checks.
• Empty your billfold of extra credit cards and Ids or better yet, cancel the ones you do not use and maintain a list, in a secure place, of the ones you do.
• Never respond to unsolicited requests for your social security number or financial data.

Safeguard your account numbers

• Beware of mail or telephone solicitations, disguised as promotions offering instant prizes or awards designed solely to obtain your personal information or credit card numbers.
• Never put your credit card or any other financial account numbers on a postcard or on the outside of an envelope.
• Store new and cancelled checks in a secure place and shred unnecessary financial documents.  You may also consider using our Check Safekeeping service.
• Before discarding, shred credit cards, ATM receipts and any pre-approved credit offers you have received but do not plan to use.

Report lost or stolen checks, cards, deposit tickets or statements immediately by calling Midwest Heritage Bank at 1-800-782-0521.

Protect your mail

• Promptly remove mail from your mailbox after delivery.
• Deposit outgoing mail in post office collection mailboxes or at a local post office.  Do not leave in unsecured mail receptacles.
• Be conscious of normal receipt of routine financial statement, bills or monthly mailings. Contact sender if they are not received in the mail

Preventing account fraud

• Check all credit card and bank statements for accuracy.
• Pay for online purchases by credit card to assure you get what you paid for and to limit your liability.
• Use only secure sites when making online purchases.  Secure pages begin with “HTTPS”.
• Sign all new credit cards upon receipt.
• If you have applied for a new credit card, bank card or have ordered checks and they haven’t arrived in a timely manner, call the bank of credit card company involved.  Closely monitor expiration dates on credit cards. Contact the issuer if replacement cards are not received prior to the expiration dates.
• Curtail the use of paper documents.  Your Midwest Heritage Banker can discuss the many electronic payment options available, such as free online account access with Internet Banking and free Bill Pay.
• Obtain copies of your credit reports yearly and check it for accuracy

If you become a victim of fraud or identity theft

• File a police report or with the U.S. Postal Inspection Service if mail theft is involved.
• Contact Midwest Heritage Bank.
• Notify all of those with whom you have a financial relationship
• Tag accounts closed due to fraud at customer’s request.
• Notify credit bureau fraud units.
• Establish a password for telephone inquirers on credit card accounts.
• Place a fraud alert on your credit reports.
• Request bi-monthly copies of your credit report until your case is resolved which is free to fraud victims.
• Report all check theft to check verification companies.
• Check post office for unauthorized change of address requests.
• Follow-up contacts with letters and keep copies off all correspondence.
• Contact the Social Security Administration’s Fraud Hotline.
• Contact the state office of the Department of Motor Vehicle to see if another license was issued in your name.  If so, request a new license and fill out the DMV’s complaint form to begin the fraud investigation process.

Where To Get Help