Important Message on Protecting Your Identity

Identity thieves are using a high-tech scam that involves "pop ups," fraudulent web pages and e-mail to deceive consumers into disclosing their personal or financial information, such as bank account information, credit and debit card numbers, PIN passwords, Social Security numbers, and other sensitive information. Claiming to be well-known companies, fraudulent e-mails are being sent to consumers asking them to link to a fraudulent website and enter personal financial information. The practice is commonly referred to as "pop ups," "phishing" or "carding."

1. Never type your account information into an e-mail or a pop-up window, even if it looks legitimate. We will never request account information through e-mail or pop-up windows.
   
    
2. Do not respond to any e-mail or e-mail links that ask you to verify information. Call your banking center directly.
   
    
3. Do not open unsolicited e-mail. Some e-mail is capable of installing "spyware" on your computer. This "spyware" can transmit information that you key into your computer back to a fraudulent website.
   
    
4. Account information can also be obtained by fraudulent phone calls. Never give any numbers from your card or account information over the phone. We will not ask for your PIN or account numbers.

Additional Ways In Which You Can Keep Yourself Safe From Phishing Scams:

1. Do not click any links inside an e-mail that is suspected to be spoofed. Instead, go directly to the valid company's site then log on from there or call the company directly.
   
    
2. Ensure that any website visited is secure when submitting sensitive information such as credit card numbers. One indication that a web address is secure is if it starts with https:// rather than http://. Another indication is a padlock icon at the bottom of the screen which when clicked, displays a security certificate.
   
    
3. Ensure that your browser is up-to-date and security patches are always promptly applied. For IE (Internet Explorer) browsers, a special patch relating to certain phishing schemes can be downloaded at http://www.microsoft.com/security/.
   
    
4. Avoid opening any file attachments of suspected phishing e-mail messages as it might execute a "spyware" program that can steal personal information.
   
    
5. Consider installing a browser extension such as SpoofStick which can help detect a spoofed website. This utility is available at: http://www.spoofstick.com. The SpoofStick, from CoreStreet, is a simple browser extension that helps http://www.spoofstick.com users detect spoofed (fake) websites. A spoofed website is typically made to look like a well-known, branded site (like ebay.com or citibank.com) with a slightly different or confusing URL. The attacker then tries to trick people into going to the spoofed site by sending out fake e-mail messages or posting links in public places - hoping that some percentage of users won't notice the incorrect URL and give away important information. It's not a comprehensive solution, but it's a good start.
   
    
6. Consider installing security software such as those offered by antivirus specialists which can help detect spyware programs (antivirus), filter spam (spam filters), and/or ensure secure Internet usage (firewalls). These kinds of software can help pre-empt any damage to your system and can help protect you from hackers and scammers alike.

E-mail scams may look authentic, but are truly meant to harm you

Viruses and scams continue to flood e-mail boxes. Many of these e-mails often look as though they are authentic messages from genuine businesses. The latest wave of e-mails appear to come from management@xxx or staff@xxx. These messages are the product of a virus (w32.beagle.k) that parties are infected with. The virus collects e-mail addresses from infected machines and sends bogus messages to all the addresses that it finds. The virus "spoofs" the domain of the found address to look like it's coming from a trusted source. Here are several tips to minimize the risks from these viruses:

1. Keep virus software current on any computer, especially those that conduct financial transactions over the Internet.
   
    
2. Keep computers patched with the current Microsoft fixes, especially computers that conduct financial transactions over the Internet.
   
    
3. Do not open e-mail attachments that are of unknown origin to the end user as this is often the source of virus and worm infections.

Please be aware that Republic Bank would never ask you to supply personal information through e-mail. In fact, the safest and most secure way to communicate with Republic Bank online is once you are inside online/internet banking, which is located behind your Internet Banking PIN. Our online/internet banking is in a secure, locked environment behind several firewalls. Once inside online/internet banking you can chat with one of our Internet banking specialists online through Live Assistance or send them a secure e-mail after hours.

The Federal Trade Commission has developed a one-stop national resource website.

It provides detailed information to help you Deter, Detect, and Defend against identity theft. While there are no guarantees about avoiding identity theft, there are steps you can take to minimize your risk and minimize the damage if a problem occurs:

Deter identity thieves by safeguarding your information.

Detect suspicious activity by routinely monitoring your financial accounts and billing statements.

Defend against ID theft as soon as you suspect a problem.

The website allows you to view or print an easy-to-follow brochure on how to Deter, Detect, and Defend against identity theft. And for more in-depth information on recovering from identity theft and help with specific problems, you can read Take Charge: Fighting Back Against Identity Theft.

"Don't Be an Online Victim: How to Guard Against Internet Thieves and Electronic Scams"

An online multimedia presentation about identity theft, is available on the FDIC's website (link is listed below). It provides information on steps consumers should take to secure their computer and protect themselves from identity theft as well as what they should do if they are victimized by the crime.
http://anon.vodium.com.edgesuite.net/anon.vodium/fdic/identitytheft/index.html

Macromedia Flash Player is required to view this presentation. The latest version of Macromedia Flash Player can be downloaded at http://www.macromedia.com/go/getflashplayer. Installation questions or troubleshooting help can be found at http://www.macromedia.com/support/flash/.

"Identity Theft: Outsmarting the Crooks"

A DVD that provides consumers with information on how to recognize identity theft, how to protect themselves, and what they should do if they become a victim is now available. The DVD features experts from the government and the private sector on the scope of the identity theft problem and how a few simple steps can significantly increase protection. The DVD also includes resources that can be downloaded to a personal computer including sample forms and letters that victims can use in reporting the crime and collecting evidence. Consumers can obtain the DVD from the Federal Citizen Information Center in Pueblo, Colorado, for a $2 handling charge. For more information or to order a DVD, please use the following link:

http://www.treas.gov/offices/domestic-finance/financial-institution/cip/identity-theft.shtml

Free Emergency Financial First Aid Kit

As part of National Preparedness Month, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security Citizen Corps, Federal Emergency Management Agency, USA Freedom Corps, and Operation HOPE, Inc. unveiled an Emergency Financial First Aid Kit.

The Emergency Financial First Aid Kit is a simple tool to help Americans minimize the financial impact of a natural disaster or national emergency. It helps users identify and organize key financial records and serves as a quick reference to their most important financial documents.

Please click here to download the free Emergency Financial First Aid Kit.

Other Useful Links:

http://www.getnetwise.org - a public service website that discusses keeping children safe online, stoppping unwanted e-mail and spam, protecting your computer from hackers and viruses, and keeping your personal info private.