What is Identity Theft?

Identity theft is an illegal attempt by one individual to obtain another individual's personally-identifiable information such as his/her full name, address, date of birth, social security number, and mother's maiden name. The thief can use this information to obtain credit, gain access to the victim's existing accounts, establish new accounts and loans, apply for a job, and apply for bankruptcy-all under the victim's name.

What is Phishing?

Phishing is a form of identity theft made through e-mail to obtain the information referenced above, account numbers, passwords, and PINs. These e-mails may either request information via e-mail response, or ask that you visit a website through a link provided in the e-mail.

What is Vishing?

Vishing, the latest in Internet fraud, is the criminal practice of using social engineering and Voice over IP (VoIP) to gain access to private personal and financial information from the public for the purpose of financial reward. The term is a combination of "voice" and phishing. Vishing exploits the public's trust in landline telephone services, which have traditionally terminated in physical locations which are known to the telephone company, and associated with a bill-payer. The victim is often unaware that VoIP allows for caller ID spoofing, inexpensive, complex automated systems and anonymity for the bill-payer. Vishing is typically used to steal credit card numbers or other information used in identity theft schemes from individuals.

Vishing is very hard for legal authorities to monitor or trace. To protect themselves, consumers are advised to be highly suspicious when receiving messages directing them to call and provide credit card or bank numbers. Rather than provide any information, the consumer is advised to contact their bank or credit card company directly to verify the validity of the message.

How Can I Tell if an E-mail or Website is Fraudulent?

• You are asked to take some immediate action, such as updating your personal information online to prevent your accounts from being suspended
• The Internet address you are directed to begins with a series of numbers such as http://123.123.123.0
• The Internet address you are directed to is not www.abingtonbank.com or www.abingtonbankonline.com
• Always remember to verify the Internet address in your web browser's address bar as e-mail links may automatically redirect you to a fraudulent website
• The e-mail or website contains misspellings and misused words
• You are asked to enter personally identifiable information such as account numbers, social security numbers, passwords, or PINs

These fraudulent e-mails and websites may be difficult to identify as they commonly contain logos and phrases similar to the authentic e-mail or website it is trying to imitate.

How Can I Protect Myself from Identity Theft?

• Never provide personal identification information such as account numbers, social security numbers, passwords, or PIN information by e-mail. NEVER enter our website using links from e-mails or other sites, as they could lead you to a fraudulent site. Legitimate businesses, including Abington Bank, do not make such requests
• Ensure that websites asking for your personal information have a lock or key in the bottom corner of your screen before providing any personal information
• Never give any personal information over the phone unless you have initiated the call yourself and understand how the information you provide will be used
• Use a paper shredder to destroy pre-approved credit applications, credit card receipts, bank statements, and other financial information
• Do not discard ATM receipts near a terminal
• Send outgoing mail from a locked post office mailbox, as your mailbox at home is not secure
• Sign all new credit cards immediately after you receive them and cancel any that you do not use
• Request a copy of your credit report at least once a year and review it for questionable activity
• If you ever have a question concerning the validity of an Abington Bank phone call, e-mail, or website, hang up the phone and contact us directly at 215.886.8280

What Should I Do if I Suspect that I am a Victim of Identity Theft?

• Contact your financial institution to report any unusual activity, change the PINs and passwords associated with your accounts, and/or close all accounts that you believe may be compromised
• Contact the fraud units of all credit bureaus by phone and in writing to alert them that your information may be at risk and ask to have a "Hawk Alert" or "Fraud Alert/Victim Impact Statement" placed in your credit file (this obligates creditors and banks to verify applications for accounts and changes of address with you directly)
• Equifax Credit Bureau - 1.800.525.6285 (Fraud Hotline)
• Experian Information Solutions - 1.888.397.3742
• TransUnion Credit Bureau - 1.800.680.7289 (Fraud Hotline)
• Contact the Social Security Administration - 1.800.269.0271 (Fraud Hotline) and the Federal Trade Commission - 1.877.IDTHEFT
• Contact your local police, U.S. Postal Service and U.S. Postal Inspection Service (see government listings in phone book)
• Contact your local Department of Motor Vehicles to ask if any duplicate licenses have been issued under your name or social security number and/or report a lost or stolen driver's license
• Keep a record of all communications, such as date and time of phone calls, the person with whom you spoke, and the content of the conversation. Maintain a file of all related paperwork

Additional information on how to protect yourself from identity theft and what actions you can take if it occurs is available from the Federal Trade Commission.