Identity Theft

Identity theft occurs when someone steals your personal information - to take over your credit accounts, to open new ones, to take out a loan, to access bank accounts, or to commit many other crimes using your identity.

How You Can Avoid Being a Victim of Identity Theft?

Minimize your risk by completing the following steps:

• Change all passwords regularly using a mix of numbers and characters.  Memorize your passwords and write them down ONLY in a secure place.
• Never share your Peoples Bank of Alabama personal password (PIN) with anyone.
• Never provide personal information over the phone unless you initiated contact or know with whom you are speaking to. Ask how your personal information will be used and protected and whether the information you're asked to provide is voluntary or mandatory to complete the transaction.
• Guard your PIN at ATMs.  Never write the number down anywhere in your purse or wallet.
• Don’t use your credit card or debit card number on an internet unless the site has a secured, encrypted system (look for “HTTPS” in the URL or the lock icon in the corner of the screen).
• Shred all personal documents and unwanted mail.  Criminals often work in groups going through garbage.
• Sign-up to pay bills on-line
• Sign-up for Peoples Bank of Alabama on-line statements and reduce the risk of mail fraud
• Monitor your bank and credit card statements every month.  Be aware of billing cycles.  To view your Peoples Bank of Alabama credit card statement, log in to Peoples Bank of Alabama Online Banking and select your credit card from the home page.
• Order a credit report from all three agencies at least annually and review them carefully.  Report any discrepancies in writing to each credit agency and explain the situation.