Account Security

Keeping Your Accounts and Data Secure.

Cyber Security

There are many ways in which bad actors may 'steal' your money other than just physical theft:

Check Fraud

Involves scams in which you are tricked into accepting a fraudulent check but the actual processed funds are obtained by the bad actor and you are left with a monetary loss.

Debit / Credit Card Fraud

Occurs when a bad actor obtains your actual credit/debit card or the information on the card to create another card and uses it against your actual funds in your account.

Phishing / Pharming / Pretexting

Occurs when a bad actor tricks you into giving them your account information, usually through email or phone, which may eventually lead to identity theft and a monetary loss.

Know the best ways to avoid being scammed

Don’t respond to communication. If you’re not 100% certain of the source of the call, email, or text, then hang up the phone, don’t click on the link in the email, and don’t reply to the text message.

Don’t trust caller ID or answer phone calls from unknown numbers. If you recognize the caller ID but the call seems suspicious, hang up the phone. Phone numbers can be easily spoofed to appear to be from a legitimate caller.

Don’t give out your information. Never provide any personally identifiable information unless you originate the call.

Research and validate the contact. If the individual or organization seems suspicious, make sure the request being made is legitimate by an official line of communication.

A reminder: Ozarks Federal will never ask you to send us personal information such as an account number, Social Security number, or Tax ID over text, email, or online.

Identity Theft

From The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) -- What is identity theft?

Identity theft occurs when someone uses your personal identifying information, like your name, Social Security number, or credit card number, without your permission, to commit fraud or other crimes.

The FTC estimates that as many as 9 million Americans have their identities stolen each year. In fact, you or someone you know may have experienced some form of identity theft.

The crime takes many forms. Identity thieves may rent an apartment, obtain a credit card, or establish a telephone account in your name. You may not find out about the theft until you review your credit report or a credit card statement and notice charges you didn’t make—or until you’re contacted by a debt collector.

Identity theft is serious. While some identity theft victims can resolve their problems quickly, others spend hundreds of dollars and many days repairing damage to their good name and credit record. Some consumers victimized by identity theft may lose out on job opportunities, or be denied loans for education, housing, or cars because of negative information on their credit reports. In rare cases, they may even be arrested for crimes they did not commit.

For more information on identity theft, go to the FTC website at http://www.ftc.gov/idtheft

Free Credit Report

Get your free annual credit reports from all three of the major credit reporting agencies at www.annualcreditreport.com.