Don’t give out personal information on the phone, through the mail or over the Internet unless you’ve initiated the contact or are sure you know whom you’re dealing with.
Don’t carry your Social Security card with you; leave it in a secure place, and carry only the identification and credit and debit cards that you need.
Don’t put your address, phone number, or drivers license number on credit card sales receipts, and Social Security numbers or phone numbers should not be put on your checks.
Shred your charge receipts, copies of credit applications, insurance forms, physician statements, checks and bank statements, expired charge cards that you are discarding, and credit offers you get in the mail.
Secure your credit card, bank, and phone accounts with passwords. Also avoid using personal information when creating a password, like birth date, any part of your SSN, or your phone number.
Promptly remove mail from your mailbox. If you are planning to be away from home and can’t pick up your mail, contact your local post office for instructions on how to request a vacation hold.
Never respond to an unsolicited e-mail that asks for detailed financial information. Resist the urge to immediately respond to a suspicious e-mail despite urgent or exaggerated claims.
Before revealing any personally identifying information (for example, on an application), find out how it will be used and secured, and whether it will be shared with others. Ask if you have a choice about the use of your information. Can you choose to have it kept confidential?
Check your credit report every year. Make sure it is accurate and includes only those activities you have authorized.
Remember – GatewayBank, FSB will NEVER ask you to provide or update any personal information by utilizing a link on our Web site. When in doubt – contact your branch office.