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Deter: Protecting Yourself

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When it comes to protecting your identity and personal information you can never be too careful. NBT Bank provides the following safety tips to help you protect yourself against today's personal securty threats.

Safeguard Your Information

Identity theft occurs when your personal information is stolen and used without your knowledge to commit fraud or other crimes. It can cost you time and money, destroy your credit and ruin your good name.

  • Shred financial documents and paperwork containing personal information before you discard them.
  • Protect your Social Security number. Don’t carry your Social Security card in your wallet or write your Social Security number on a check. Give it out only if absolutely necessary or ask to use another identifier.
  • Don’t give out personal information on the phone, through the mail or over the Internet unless you know whom you are dealing with.
  • Never click on links sent in unsolicited e-mails. Instead, stick with web addresses you know and trust. Use firewall, antispyware and antivirus software to protect your home computer (and keep this software updated). Visit OnGuardOnline.gov for more information.
  • Don’t use an obvious password, such as your birth date, your mother’s maiden name or the last four digits of your Social Security number.
  • Keep your personal information in a secure place at home, especially if you have roommates, employ outside help or are having work done in your house

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Update Your Contact Information for New Fraud Protection Measures for ATM and Debit Cards

To help minimize your exposure to fraud and the impact it may have on your account, we have instituted new fraud detection measures for ATM and debit cards. NBT Bank now monitors your debit card and ATM transactions for unusual activity.

Help us protect your account. Speak with your local NBT Banker about updating your contact information including your:

  • address
  • phone number
  • cell phone number
  • email address

And, be sure to let us know about upcoming trips to locations not in your normal travel pattern.

If we suspect fraudulent debit card or ATM use, fraud detection specialists calling on our behalf will contact you to validate the legitimacy of your transactions (this may be from a person or an automated-calling system). Your timely response to this call is critical in preventing potential risks and avoiding restrictions we may place on the use of your card.

If unusual activity is detected, our fraud detection specialists will first ask if you are the cardholder. They will verify they have the correct card by referencing the last four digits of your debit card or ATM number. You will also be asked to verify:

  • Your zip code
  • Recent transactions

If you confirm that recent transactions are not authorized, your card will be deactivated and a new card issued.

If you are not at home when the call takes place you will be provided with a case number for reference and asked to contact our fraud detection specialists.

Please be diligent in monitoring transaction activity on your accounts and contact us immediately if you identify any fraudulent transactions. To learn more, contact your local NBT Banker or call 1.800.NBT.BANK.

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Tips When Using Your ATM or Debit Card From NBT Bank

Avoid giving out personal information. Remember that your personal identification number of PIN is private, so never give that out.

Unless required for a legitimate business purpose, avoid providing your:

  • Address and ZIP code
  • Phone number
  • Date of birth
  • Social Security number
  • Card or account number
  • Card expiration date

Be cautious in stores and at ATMs. When using your card in a store or at an ATM, make sure you:

  • Take your card to the cash register; do not let cashiers take your card out of your sight
  • Conceal your card and PIN
  • Try to prevent anyone near you from seeing your transactions
  • Watch for cell-phone cameras, mirrors or other devices used to view cards and PINs
  • Go to another ATM if you notice any unusual activity at the one you are using
Be cautious online. You should never respond to unsolicited e-mails that:
  • Ask you to verify your card or account number (such e-mails are not sent by legitimate businesses)
  • Provide a link to websites (such sites look legitimate, but they may collect your personal data or put spyware on your computer)

If you have any questions about your ATM or debit card, please contact your local NBT Bank office or our Call Center at 1-800-NBT-BANK (1-800-628-2265).

*The Federal Trade Commission is the source for this information. To learn more about identity theft visit ftc.gov/idtheft. Or request copies of identity theft resources by writing to: Consumer Response Center Federal Trade Commission 600 Pennsylvania Ave., NW, H-130 Washington, DC 20580.

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FDIC Deposit Insurance Coverage

The Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) is an independent agency of the United States government that protects against the loss of insured deposits if an FDIC-insured bank or savings association fails. FDIC deposit insurance is backed by the full faith and credit of the United States government. Since the FDIC was established, no depositor has ever lost a single penny of FDIC-insured funds.
 
FDIC insurance covers funds in deposit accounts, including checking and savings accounts, money market deposit accounts and certificates of deposit (CDs). FDIC insurance does not, however, cover other financial products and services that insured banks may offer, such as stocks, bonds, mutual fund shares, life insurance policies, annuities or municipal securities.
 
There is no need for depositors to apply for FDIC insurance or even to request it. Coverage is automatic.
 
To ensure funds are fully protected, depositors should understand their deposit insurance coverage limits. The FDIC provides separate insurance coverage for deposits held in different ownership categories such as single accounts, joint accounts, Individual Retirement Accounts (IRAs) and trust accounts.
 
Basic FDIC Deposit Insurance Coverage Limits*
Single Accounts (owned by one person)                   $250,000 per owner
Joint Accounts (two or more persons)                       $250,000 per co-owner
IRAs and certain other retirement accounts               $250,000 per owner
Trust Accounts                                                       $250,000 per owner per beneficiary subject to specific limitations and requirements **
* These deposit insurance coverage limits refer to the total of all deposits that an accountholder (or accountholders) has at each FDIC-insured bank. The listing above shows only the most common ownership categories that apply to individual and family deposits, and assumes that all FDIC requirements are met.
 

On July 21, 2010, President Barack Obama signed the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act into law, which, in part, permanently raises the current standard maximum deposit insurance amount (SMDIA) to $250,000. The FDIC insurance coverage limit applies per depositor and per insured depository institution for each account ownership category.

To help consumers understand how the new law affects deposit insurance coverage and to help consumers verify whether their deposit accounts are fully protected, the FDIC provides the following resources.

Information on deposit insurance on the FDIC Web site.
 

FDIC Insurance Brochures
Updated brochures on deposit insurance coverage (including the basic guide, Deposit Insurance Summary, and the more comprehensive guide, Your Insured Deposits) are available.

Electronic Deposit Insurance Estimator
Use the FDIC’s Electronic Deposit Insurance Estimator (EDIE), an interactive service that allows consumers to quickly and easily check whether their accounts are fully protected.

Toll-free consumer assistance line
Help and information about deposit insurance and other matters of interest to bank customers are available at 1-877-ASK-FDIC (1-877-275-3342) Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m., Eastern time. For the hearing-impaired, the number is 1-800-925-4618

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