Protect your Identity





Steps You Should Take if someone trying to steal your identity

• STEP 1 - DO NOT REPLY to any suspicious emails or other requests for your personal information.
• STEP 2 - EXAMINE the request and whether or not it makes sense.
• STEP 3 - CALL the company directly and inquire ask why they're requesting the information.

Notice for all EQUITABLE BANK customers:
The Equitable Bank will never ask you for your personal account access information. If you receive a suspicious email, phone call or letter requesting your personal account information, please call us immediately and do not respond to the request.
If you ever receive a suspicious request for your personal account information, please immediately CALL EQUITABLE BANK CUSTOMER SERVICE at 414-475-1690 or send an email to fraudalert@equitablebank.net.
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Reporting Identity Theft
If you suspect that your identity may have been stolen contact the following immediately:

• The Equitable Bank: Contact our Customer Service Center at 414-475-1690 or send an email to fraudalert@equitablebank.net for immediate assistance.
• Credit Bureaus: Alert the credit bureaus of any fraudulent activity on your credit report.
• TransUnion: 800-680-7289
• Experian: 888-397-3742
• Equifax: 800-680-7289
• Other Financial Institutions: Alert all other institutions that have extended you credit.
• The Federal Trade Commission: You can file a complaint with the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) by calling the Identity Theft Hotline toll free at 1-877-IDTHEFT (438-4338).
  Report ID theft to the FTC.

The Equitable Bank is taking many precautions to ensure our customers do not become victims of identity theft. As part of this pledge we are committed to informing our customers of current fraud trends, such as phishing and pharming, so you can identify, report and avoid any fraudulent attempts to gain your personal information. To learn more about identity theft, see below.
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What is ID Theft? How your identity can be stolen:

• Stolen Mail and Trash
• Bank statements
• Credit card statements
• Pre-approved credit offers
• Telephone calling cards
• Tax information
• Pay stubs
• Old Fashioned Theft
• Wallet
• Purse
• Phone
• Online
• Pharming
"Pharming" involves redirecting web-site users to a spoofed web site that is used to gather personal information about the user.
• Email
• Phishing
"Phishing" involves transmitting unsolicited emails sent by identity thieves in order to gain confidential (social security number, account numbers, and other personal info.) information that is then used to commit crimes under the victim's identity.

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How to Identify Online Identity Theft:

• "Verify your account" - The Equitable Bank and other institutions will not ask you to send passwords, login names, social security numbers, or other personal information through e-mail. Be suspicious of a message that asks for personal information even if the request looks legitimate.
• "If you don't respond within 24 hours, your account will be closed" - Phishing emails may be polite, but often convey a sense of urgency so the victim sends the requested information without thinking.
• "Dear Valued Customer" - Phishing email attempts are usually sent out in bulk and don't contain your personal information such as first and last name. Although the thief may have this information, a legitimate company will usually address you by first and last name.
• "Click On The Link Below" - Identity thieves may try to direct you to a spoof site that is almost identical to a legitimate site. Even if the link is the actual name of the company, it can still redirect you to the spoof site.

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How to protect yourself:

• Never provide your personal information to an unsolicited request.
• If you believe the contact may be legitimate, contact the institution and verify the request.
• Never provide your password over the phone or in response to an unsolicited Internet request.
• Review account statements regularly to ensure all charges are correct.
• If you fall victim to an attack, act immediately.
• Alert your financial institution.
• Place fraud alerts on your credit files.
• Monitor your credit files and account statements closely.
• Report suspicious e-mails or calls to the appropriate financial institution and also the Federal Trade Commission at 1-877-IDTHEFT.

The Equitable Bank is committed to protecting you with the most advanced security technology methods and the most innovative in security software and services. The Equitable Bank provides many features to secure your online banking transaction such as Secure Socket Layer (SSL) Technology, multi-layer security as well as proactive measures to prevent identity theft attempts before they happen!
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