• The first line of defense in preventing fraud while you are on the Internet is protecting your computer, and with just a couple of tools and some diligence, you can greatly improve your security. Make sure your computer has both an anti-spyware protection program that detects and removes spyware and an anti-virus program. Keep both programs updated. There are many programs available, see your trusted local retailer for suggestions as to the product that will best work for you.
• Be very protective of your personal and account information. There are criminals who try to trick you by creating sites that look similar to real sites. The best way to know who you are dealing with is to type the address in your browser address bar.
• Shred all documents containing private information prior to disposing of them. “Dumpster Diving” or searching the trash is a frequent method of obtaining information to attempt identity theft or other fraud.
• Have your paychecks and interest checks directly deposited into your 1st Centennial Bank account to ensure that it doesn’t get stolen in the mail.
• Carry only necessary identification. Do not carry your Social Security card with you.
• Make copies of all the information that you carry daily, such as credit cards, driver's license, and insurance cards, and keep the copies in a secure place.
• Be cautious when providing your Social Security number. Verify every time you provide it whether it is needed for the application or transaction.
• Be cautious of telephone and door-to-door solicitations.
• Never provide personal information unless you have initiated the contact and have confirmed the business or person's identity.
• Confirm the validity of all requests for sensitive personal, financial, or account information, particularly if they are made with an urgent or threatening tone.
• Opt out of all pre-approved credit card offers by dialing 1-888-567-8688. This will opt you out of all offers, not just those from 1st Centennial Bank.
• Don't leave personal information in your car. It's even more valuable than your stereo.
• Collect your mail promptly. Use U.S. Postal Service mailboxes for outgoing mail when possible.
• Monitor all of your banking and credit card accounts regularly.
• Check your credit report annually

Spam E-mail and Fraudulent Websites

Don't Get Hooked by a 'Phishing" or "Pharming" Scam!

'Phishing' and 'Pharming are high-tech scams that use spam e-mail or pop-up messages to deceive you into disclosing your credit card numbers, bank account information, Social Security number, passwords, or other sensitive information.

The FTC, the nation's consumer protection agency, suggests these tips to help you avoid getting hooked by a Phishing scam:

1. If you get an email or pop-up message that asks for personal or financial information, do not reply or click on the link in the message. 1st Centennial Bank will NEVER ask for this information via email.
2. Don't email personal or financial information. Email is not a secure method of transmitting personal information. During an online banking session, you should always see the "lock" icon on your browser’s status bar in the bottom right corner. Also, a secure website URL begins with "https:" (the "s" stands for secure).
3. Review your credit card and bank statements as soon as you receive them to determine whether there are any unauthorized charges.
4. Use anti-virus software and keep it up to date.
5. Report suspicious activity immediately! If you get spam that is Phishing for information, forward it to spam@uce.gov as well as advise the Bank.

Spyware and viruses

Spyware and viruses are both programs that are designed to do some kind of damage. Whether the goal of these programs is to capture or destroy information, to ruin the performance of your computer, or to bombard you with advertising, you don't want them. They both install without your knowledge and Viruses often send infected e-mail messages from your computer without you knowing it is happening to infect everyone in your e-mail address/contact list. Spyware disguises itself as a legitimate application and embeds itself into your computer, to monitor your activity and collect information.

Spyware and viruses are both serious threats to the security of your computer.

Pop-up advertisements

Pop-ups are the advertisements that "pop up" in a separate browser window. When you click on some of these pop-ups, it's possible that you're also downloading "spyware" or "adware."

Sometimes, criminals create pop-up ads that look like they come from a respected financial institution and ask you to enter personal financial information, but most financial institutions including 1st Centennial Bank will never ask you to verify personal financial information in pop-ups.

When unwanted pop up windows appear, the best thing to do is immediately close any pop-up ad window. Do not enter information or respond in any way. We also recommend that you activate a pop-up blocking tool. There are many companies that offer pop-up blocking software, and many Internet browser companies are starting to integrate pop-up blocking tools into the newer versions of their products.

What to do if you suspect Fraud or Identity Theft

If you suspect that fraudulent activity has occurred we suggest the following actions:

1. If the fraudulent activity has occurred on your 1st Centennial Bank account or identity theft has occurred, please contact your Branch Office immediately.
2. Contact the fraud departments of each of the three major credit bureaus and request that the credit bureaus place a “fraud alert” and a “victim’s statement” in your credit file. The fraud alert puts creditors on notice that the you have been the victim of fraud and the victim’s statement asks creditors not to open additional accounts without first contacting you. The following are the phone numbers of the three national credit bureaus:
   • Equifax (800) 525-6285;
   • Experian (888) 397-3742; and,
   • Trans Union (800) 680-7289;
3. Request a free credit report from the credit bureaus. Credit bureaus must provide a free credit report if you believe the report is inaccurate due to fraud. Then you will be able to review the credit reports in detail to determine if any fraudulent accounts have been established. We recommend that you also determine if any unknown inquiries have been made. Unknown inquiries may be indicators of someone attempting to establish a fraudulent account.
4. Contact all financial institutions and creditors where you have accounts and should request that each of these entities restrict access to the your account, change any password or close the account altogether, if there is evidence that the account has been the target of identity theft.
5. File a police report to document the crime and, contact the Federal Trade Commission (“FTC”) Identity Theft Hotline at (877) ID-THEFT (438-4338). The FTC puts the information into a secure consumer fraud database and shares it with local, state and
   federal law enforcement agencies.

Additional Resources for Identity Theft

These resources can provide you with step-by-step assistance in handling identity theft.

1. Contact your local office of Postal Inspection Service if it is suspected that an identity thief has submitted a change –of-address form with the Post office to redirect their mail, or has used the mail to commit frauds involving their identity. (626) 405-1200.
2. Contact the Social Security Administration if their Social Security number is being fraudulently used. (800) 269-02713
3. Contact the Internal Revenue Service if improper use of their identification is being used in connection with tax violations. (800) 829-0433
4. Contact the major check verification companies if they have had checks stolen or bank accounts set up by an identity thief.

You may also find additional information available at – www.consumer.gov/idtheft.