Security & Fraud Protection
Safeguarding your personal and financial information is priority #1 at Thomaston Savings Bank. Our Security Center provides valuable information on how we protect you against fraud, how you can protect yourself and what to do if you are a victim of identity theft or fraud.
How We Protect You
Thomaston Savings Bank will periodically contact clients through different channels such as email and telephone, but will never request our clients provide their electronic banking credentials or account/debit card number on an unsolicited basis. If you receive an email or telephone call requesting that you disclose or verify this information do not respond and contact us immediately.
We monitor our clients’ debit card transactions for possible fraud. In the event our system suspects a transaction may be fraudulent, you may receive a telephone call or letter from us asking you to verify the validity of the transaction. In these situations, we will provide the necessary card and transaction information for you to verify and will not ask you to disclose any further card or account-related information. Read more about our Privacy Policy.
Identity Theft and Fraud
How to Report Identity Theft and Fraud
If you become aware that you are a victim of identity theft, fraud, or have had any part of your banking relationship with us compromised, such as a lost or stolen account number, checkbook, debit card, or electronic banking credentials, call us immediately at 860.283.1874 locally or toll-free at 855.344.1874 during normal business hours.
If your Visa® debit card has been lost or stolen after our normal business hours call Visa® directly at 833-462-0798.
Steps to Take if You are a Victim of Identity Theft
If you are a victim of identity theft, take the following four steps as soon as possible, and keep a record of the details of your conversations and copies of all correspondence.
1. Place a fraud alert on your credit reports, and reviews your credit reports.
Fraud alerts can help prevent an identity thief from opening any more accounts in your name. Contact the toll-free fraud number of any of the three consumer reporting companies below to place a fraud alert on your credit report. You only need to contact one of the three companies to place an alert. The company you call is required to contact the other two, which will place an alert on their versions of your report, too. If you do not receive a confirmation from a company, you should contact that company directly to place a fraud alert.
TransUnion: 1-800-680-7289; Fraud Victim Assistance Division, P.O. Box 6790, Fullerton, CA 92834-6790
Equifax: 1-800-525-6285; P.O. Box 740241, Atlanta, GA 30374-0241
Experian: 1-888-EXPERIAN (397-3742); P.O. Box 9554, Allen, TX 75013
2. Close the accounts that you know, or believe, have been tampered with or opened fraudulently.
Call and speak with someone in the security or fraud department of each company. Follow up in writing, and include copies (NOT originals) of supporting documents. It's important to notify credit card companies and banks in writing. Send your letters by certified mail, return receipt requested, so you can document what the company received and when. Keep a file of your correspondence and enclosures.
3. File a complaint with the Federal Trade Commission.
You can file a complaint with the FTC using this online resource; or call the FTC's Identity Theft Hotline toll-free at 1-877-ID-THEFT (438-4338); TTY: 1-866-653-4261; or write Identity Theft Clearinghouse, Federal Trade Commission, 600 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20580. Be sure to call the hotline to update your complaint if you have any additional information or problems.
4. File a report with your local police or the police in the community where the identity theft took place.
Additional Resources
OnlineOnGuard.gov – This collaborative educational resource teaches consumers about staying safe online. The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) manages the website in partnership with 15 other governmental agencies.
FDIC.gov – The Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation can help you protect yourself from identity theft and fraud.
FTC.gov – Deter. Detect. Defend. The Federal Trade Commission offers a comprehensive identity theft resource for consumers and businesses.
Verified by Visa®
Verified by Visa® is a global solution designed to make online purchases more secure by helping ensure payments are made by the rightful owner of the Visa account. One of its objectives is to continue to build consumer confidence in online shopping—similar to that in a physical shopping environment.
Verified by Visa often works behind the scenes when you're shopping online. There may be times when you will be asked by your bank to provide more information to confirm the purchase. This helps make certain that you’re the only person using your card online. Visa offers comprehensive fraud protection, but Verified by Visa goes even a step further, adding an extra layer of security when you enter credit card information online.
Get the benefits of an extra layer of security for online transactions, increased confidence in the safety of your online purchases and when required, a simple, easy-to-use interface.
Are you at risk for fraud or identity theft?
Assess your risk level for fraud or identity theft with our Identity Theft Risk tool.
