Tips for Using Your Debit and Credit Cards Safely

1. Whenever possible, choose to use your debit card as a debit (PIN)
transaction vs. a credit transaction.  Many retailers present this option
automatically, whereas others may not.  When given the choice between
a credit or debit transaction using your debit card, select the debit
transaction.

2. When shopping online (or when you need to pay for something over
the Internet) use a credit card as opposed to your debit card.

3. Memorize your PIN.  Do not write it on your card or carry it in your
purse or wallet.

4. Opt for online statements vs. paper mailed statements.  If you opt for
mailed statements, make sure to shred your statements before throwing
them away.  If you have online statements, monitor them often, looking
for suspicious activity or duplicate charges.

5.  When you receive a new card, sign and activate immediately.

General Tips

• Don’t allow unauthorized people to use your computer.

• Log off or lock your workstation when you leave your computer,
even for a short while.

• Change your passwords often and choose passwords that are hard
to guess.

• Don’t share your passwords with anyone or record them in a place
where they are easy to find.

• If you notice suspicious activity in your accounts, report it immediately.

• Install Internet security software on your computer.

• Be wary of e-mails you receive from people you don’t know and don’t
open any of their attachments. When in doubt, delete the e-mail message
before opening it.

• Make sure your browser uses the strongest encryption available and
be aware of the encryption levels of the sites and applications you use. 
Only use software from reputable vendors.

E-mail Fraud – "Phishing"

"Phishing" refers to a person or a group of cyber-criminals who create
an imitation or copy of an existing legitimate Web page to trick users
into providing sensitive personal information. Responding to phishing
e-mails puts your accounts at risk.

Large numbers of recipients are being "spammed," without actual
knowledge of their banking affiliation. They request and collect e-mail
addresses and other confidential information like financial account
numbers, IDs and passwords. The cyber-criminals have copied the
logos and the content styles of widely known and respected financial
institutions in an attempt to elicit a response from a recipient who
may or may not be a customer of that financial institution.

Phishing cyber-criminals solicit personal data from unsuspecting
victims via the Internet – like personal IDs, passwords, card numbers
and PINs – and sell this information to other criminals who use it for
financial gain. They can also access a customer's accounts through
online banking and set up false bill payments that send checks to the
criminal or a conspirator. In other cases, criminals transfer funds from
all available customer accounts, including credit cards, savings accounts
and home equity loans into their checking accounts. A copy of the
customer's credit card or check card is then used with their PIN at
ATMs around the world to withdraw cash from their checking account.

To increase the number of responses, cyber-criminals include
upsetting or exciting statements in their e-mails. They want people
to react immediately and respond with the desired information
without thinking. To protect yourself, take the time to examine the
claims made in the e-mail. If you receive an e-mail requesting sensitive
information, check its authenticity by contacting the company that
appears to be the originator of the e-mail.

IMPORTANT: If you're an LNB customer and have replied to such
an e-mail, please immediately call (315) 946-4871.

> Online Fraud and E-mail Scams