ID Theft Protection
Keep your personal information safe!
Protecting personal information is a responsibility consumers must take seriously. We've all heard the reports of security breaches, ID theft, Internet fraud, etc. for which the resolution is usually time-consuming and costly. What can happen if someone steals your personal, non-public information like your social security number, driver's license, date of birth and/or mother's maiden name? They can:
- Take over and drain your bank accounts.
- Open new accounts and lines of credit in your name.
- Commit loan fraud.
- Max out your credit cards.
- Destroy your credit score.
- Apply for your tax refund check.
- Use up your medical benefits.
The best and easiest way to prevent this from happening to you is education. The amount of information available is overwhelming, but there are a few central themes.
Five Ways To Avoid and Report Identity Theft
- Always turn off or disable lost cards and report stolen checks, account numbers, etc.
- Freeze your credit file with the three major credit bureaus:
- Always report potential identity theft cases to the FTC.
- Review your credit report annually.
- Consider enrolling in Experian’s credit monitoring service.
For your convenience, we've compiled data from federal agencies, regulators and banking industry associations all in one place. We encourage you to familiarize yourself with this information and take the steps necessary to help protect your personal information.
When we ask for ID at the branch - It's for your protection
We know that it can be bothersome - or even downright embarrassing to be required to provide identification in order to cash a check.
What makes this requirement easier for us to understand is that we're right in the front lines, along with other businesses, in the battle against fraud and theft. And we know that this battle can be won if everyone cooperates.
It's true, of course, that you may be known personally to one or more members of our staff. However, you could also be served by an employee who is not acquainted with you and, as a matter of policy, you probably will be asked to provide identification. Let us explain how this request affords protection to you, as well as to us. The chances are that when personal checks are lost or stolen, some time will elapse before you become aware of their disappearance. In that span of time, your checks can easily be presented for cashing with a forged signature.
Personal identification - Without a check of identification, your money is an easy target for thieves. If we didn't ask for identification we'd have no chance of preventing this. A MA driver's license is the most common form of personal ID used. Presenting this information helps us to make certain that your checks are being cashed by YOU. Even the knowledge that identification will be required for check cashing is frequently all it takes to prevent attempts to pass forged checks.
Now that you understand how identification for check cashing helps us both, we are certain you will want to join in the effort. If you present identification at the same time you give us your check, you will be aiding us in the fight against fraud and theft - and you'll be saving time for yourself and others.
