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Security Information

Knowledge is the key to prevention.

Identity theft continues to be one of the fastest growing crimes in the United States, and has ranked as one of the top consumer concerns for the past several years. The Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) has produced a multimedia presentation to help consumers protect themselves from identity theft. The presentation provides information on steps consumers should take to secure their computer and protect themselves from identity theft, as well as actions consumers should take if they become a victim of identity theft. Click on the link below to view the FDIC's 18 minute presentation.  Or, scroll down this page to read similar information

Don't Be an On-line Victim: How to Guard Against Internet Thieves and Electronic Scams .

Macromedia Flash Player is required to view this presentation. The latest version of Macromedia Flash Player can be downloaded at www.macromedia.com/go/getflashplayer. 

Prevent Fraud and Identity Theft

Learn how to detect and prevent illegal attempts to obtain your personal information.

Your Online Security

Oak Bank is dedicated to protecting your information online.

Fake Emails and Web Sites

Online fraud occurs when someone poses as a legitimate company to obtain sensitive personal data and illegally conducts transactions on your existing accounts. Often called "phishing" or "spoofing" the most current methods of online fraud are fake emails, Web sites and pop-up windows, or any combination of these.

Always keep in mind that Oak Bank will never send email containing attachments, or require clients to send personal information to us via email or pop-up windows. Any unsolicited request for Oak Bank account information you receive through emails, Web sites, or pop-up windows should be considered fraudulent and reported immediately.

Fake emails will often:

  • Ask you for personal information.  Fake emails often contain an overly generic greeting and may claim that your information has been compromised, that your account has been frozen, or ask you to confirm the authenticity of your transactions.
  • Appear to be from a legitimate source.  While some emails are easy to identify as fraudulent, others may appear to be from a legitimate address and trusted online source. However, you should not rely on the name or address in the '“From" field, as this is easily altered.
  • Contain fraudulent job offers. Some fake emails appear to be from companies offering jobs. These are often work-at-home accounting positions which are actually schemes that victimize both the job applicant and other customers. Be sure to confirm that the job offer is from a known and trusted company.
  • Contain prizes or gift certificate offers. Some fake emails promise a prize or gift certificate in exchange for completing a survey or answering questions. In order to collect the alleged prize or gift certificate you may be directed to provide your personal information. Just like with job offers, be sure to confirm that prize or gift certificate is being issued from a known and trusted company.
  • Link to counterfeit Web sites. Fake emails may direct you to counterfeit Web sites carefully designed to look real, but which actually collect personal information for illegal use.
  • Link to real Web sites. In addition to links to counterfeit Web sites, some fake emails also include links to legitimate Web sites. The fraudsters do this in an attempt to make a fake email appear real.
  • Contain fraudulent phone numbers. Fake emails often contain telephone numbers that are tied to the fraudsters. Never call a number featured on an email you suspect is fraudulent, and be sure to double-check any numbers you do call.
  • Contain real phone numbers. Some of the telephone numbers listed in fake emails may be legitimate, connecting to actual companies. Just like with links, fraudsters include the real phone numbers in an effort to make the email appear to be legitimate.

Trojan horses
These fake emails may also contain a virus known as a "Trojan horse" that can record your keystrokes. The virus may live in an attachment or be accessed via a link in the email.

Again, Oak Bank clients should keep in mind that we do not request personal information via email or send email attachments. Never respond to emails, open attachments, or click on links from suspicious or unknown senders.

If you're not sure if an Oak Bank email is legitimate, report it to us without replying to the email.

How is my email address obtained?
Email addresses can be obtained from publicly available sources or through randomly generated lists. Therefore, if you receive a fake email that appears to be from Oak Bank, this does not mean that your email address, name, or any other information has been taken from Oak Bank's systems.

Counterfeit Web sites
Online thieves often direct you to fraudulent Web sites via email and pop-up windows and try to collect your personal information. In many cases there is no easy way to determine that you are on a phony Web site because the URL will contain the name of the institution it is spoofing. However, if you type, or cut and paste, the URL into a new Web browser window and it does not take you to a legitimate Web site, or you get an error message, it was probably just a cover for a fake Web site.

Another way to detect a phony Web site is to consider how you arrived there. Generally, you were directed by a link in a fake email requesting your account information. Again, Oak Bank will not request personal information from customers via email and any unsolicited request should be considered fraudulent and reported immediately.

How can I help protect myself?
With a few simple steps, you can help protect your Oak Bank accounts and personal information from fake emails and Web sites:

  • Delete suspicious emails without opening them. If you do open a suspicious email, do not open any attachments or click on any links it may contain.
  • Never provide sensitive account or personal information in response to an email. If you have entered personal information, call Oak Bank immediately at 1-608-441-6000.
  • Install and regularly update virus protection software.
  • Keep your computer operating system and Web browser current.

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Identity Theft

By understanding exactly what identity theft is, how it happens, and how it affects you, you will be better able to prevent and, if necessary, report identity theft.

In general, identity theft is more extensive than fraud, which is usually limited to an isolated attempt to steal money from an existing account. Fraud and identity theft can be easily confused so we recommend that you review not only this section, but also the sections on Fake Emails and Web Sites and Fraudulent Pop-up Windows, so you can confirm that you are addressing the appropriate issue.

What is identity theft?
Identity theft occurs when someone illegally obtains your personal information - such as your Social Security number, bank account number, or other identification - and uses it repeatedly to open new accounts or initiate transactions in your name. For example, someone might do a combination of the following: open new credit cards, open new bank accounts, forge checks, and even apply for loans using your name and personal information. This can cause financial loss and damage your credit, which can lead to a lengthy resolution process.

Keep in mind however, that even if you think your security has been compromised, it does not automatically mean that you are a victim of identity theft. It might be an incorrect entry or an isolated incident of theft from your  account that is quickly resolved by calling Oak Bank at 608/441-6000.

How does identity theft happen?
Identity theft is portrayed as a high-tech crime affecting only those people who shop, communicate, or do business online. However, while thieves can obtain personal information via online methods, the majority of identity theft occurs offline. Stealing wallets and purses, intercepting or rerouting your mail, and rummaging through your garbage are some of the common tactics that thieves can use to obtain personal information. The good news is that the more information you have about identity theft the better your defense.

How can I help protect myself?

  • Do not open or respond to online solicitations for personal information. Oak Bank will never send email containing attachments, or require customers to send personal information via email or pop-up windows.
  • Carry only necessary identification. In particular, do not carry your Social Security card.
  • When a Social Security number is requested to sign up for a service, confirm that it is actually needed rather than some other identifier.
  • Make photocopies of all the information you carry daily and store them in a secure location like a safety deposit box.
  • Shred financial or personal documents before discarding. Most fraud and identity theft incidences happen as a result of mail and garbage theft.
  • Utilize paperless options and limit your receipt of paper statements by managing your accounts online with Oak Bank's iBank. Checking your balances online can help you regularly monitor your account activity and more quickly detect any fraudulent transactions.
  • Pay bills online with iBillPay. The fewer personal documents sent through the mail, the less chance there is for possible fraud.
  • Always put outgoing mail in a U.S. Postal Service mailbox, which is more secure than your home mailbox.
  • Collect your mail promptly each day.

Review additional steps you can take to help protect yourself from criminal attempts to obtain your personal information.

Oak Bank works constantly to help protect our customers from criminal activity. As an informed customer, you are a great ally in this effort. To learn more about identity theft, you can reference the following sites:

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Fraudulent Pop-up Windows

Pop-up windows are the small windows or ads that appear suddenly over or under the window you are currently viewing. Fraudulent pop-up windows are a type of online fraud often used to obtain personal information. Online fraud occurs when someone poses as a legitimate company - like a popular shopping site, your bank, or your internet service provider - to obtain sensitive personal data and illegally conducts transactions on your existing accounts. Often called "phishing" or "spoofing," the most current types of online fraud include fake pop-up windows, emails and Web sites, or any combination of these.

Always keep in mind that Oak Bank will never send email containing attachments, or require customers to send personal information via email or pop-up windows. Any unsolicited requests for Oak Bank account information you receive through pop-up windows, emails, or Web sites should be considered fraudulent and reported immediately.

Pop-up windows
When encountering a pop-up window, be aware of the following:

  • Oak Bank does not use pop-up windows to request customer account information.
  • We will never display a pop-up window on our site that you haven't requested by clicking on a link - all of our pop-up windows are user-initiated.
  • Pop-up windows are often the result of programs installed on your computer called "adware" or "spyware" These programs look in on your Web viewing activity and regularly come hidden inside many free downloads, such as music-sharing software or screen savers. Many of these programs enable harmless advertisements, but some contain "Trojan horse" programs that can record your keystrokes or relay other information to an unauthorized source.

How can I help protect myself?
With the proper precautions you can help protect your Oak Bank accounts and personal information from harmful pop-up windows:

  • Activate a pop-up window blocker. There are free programs available online that will block pop-up windows. Perform an Internet search for "pop-up blocker" or look at the options provided by major search engines. You should confirm that these programs are from legitimate companies before downloading. Once you have installed a pop-up blocker, you should determine if it blocks information that you need to view or access. If this is the case, you should consider turning off the blocker when you are on Web sites you know use pop-windows to provide information you need or want to view.
  • Scan your computer for spyware regularly. You can eliminate potentially risky pop-up windows by removing any spyware or adware installed on your computer. Spyware and adware are programs that look in on your Web viewing activity and potentially relay information to a disreputable source. Perform an Internet search for "spyware" or "adware" to find free spyware removal programs.   A good one can be found at http://housecall.trendmicro.com/ .  As with a pop-up blocker, you will want to be sure that your removal program is not blocking, or removing, wanted items, and if it is, consider turning it off for some web sites.
  • Avoid downloading programs from unknown sources. Downloads may contain hidden programs that can compromise your computer's security. Likewise, email attachments from unknown senders may contain harmful viruses.
  • Keep your computer operating system and Web browser current.

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Prevention Checklist

Oak Bank works continuously to make sure your account and information are safe. Here are some relatively simple steps you can take to help reduce your susceptibility.

1. General precautions
2. Email and online security
3. Credit card and bank account security
4. Phone and mail precautions

1. General precautions

  • Carry only necessities on a daily basis. Items like a Social Security card should be stored safely at home.
  • Do not provide your Social Security number unless absolutely necessary. When a Social Security number is requested to sign up for a service, confirm that it is actually needed rather than some other identifier.
  • Make photocopies of vital information you carry on a regular basis and store them in a secure place, like a safe deposit box.
  • Limit the use of paper statements. A paperless environment helps reduce the chance of identity theft. When you sign up for free online account access with Oak Bank's iBank you can take advantage of free Online Statements (coming soon) and iBillPay. The fewer personal documents sent through the mail, the less chance there is for possible fraud.
  • Limit the credit offers you receive. To reduce the number of credit offers you receive and the information companies share about you, contact the National Consumer Credit Reporting Agencies at 1-888-5-OPTOUT (1-888-567-8688).
  • Remove your name from marketing lists. The Direct Marketing Association (DMA) is responsible for notifying its members that they must remove your name from the lists they sell. The members include the agencies and companies that compile mailing and telemarketing lists. Your name and address remain in the DMA's consumer exclusion files for five years. Contact the DMA at www.dmaconsumers.org.
  • Shred documents containing personal or financial information before discarding. Most fraud and identity theft incidences happen as a result of mail and garbage theft.
  • Review your credit report. Look over your credit report regularly - at least once a year - for any inaccuracies. You can get a free credit report once a year from  www.annualcreditreport.com. For a small fee you can obtain a copy at any time directly from the credit bureaus: Equifax: 1-800-685-1111 or www.equifax.com
    Experian: 1-800-311-4769 or www.experian.com
    TransUnion: 1-800-916-8800 or www.transunion.com .

2. Email and online security

  • Be wary of suspicious emails. An email requesting your account information and password should be scrutinized carefully, particularly if the information is needed to "award a prize" or "verify a statement." Avoid opening any questionable emails. If you have opened an email, do not open any attachments or links it may contain, and delete it. Please notify us immediately if you receive a suspect email claiming to come from Oak Bank. Or, if you responded with personal information to a suspicious email, call 608/441-6000. 
  • Protect your passwords. Memorize your passwords. Do not write them down or share them with anyone. Change them regularly and use combinations of letters and numbers. Do not use your Social Security number as a username or password.
  • Keep your computer and online experience safe. Read our Online Security Tips to find out about installing a firewall, anti-virus software, and a pop-up blocker, which can help keep your computer and personal information secure when you conduct online transactions.

3. Credit card and bank account security

  • Report lost or stolen cards (1-800-264-5578) and checks immediately.
  • Review account statements carefully. Make a habit of thoroughly reviewing your latest account statements. This is one of the best ways to notice and stop fraudulent activity quickly. If you sign up for Oak Bank's iBank you can monitor your account any time and as frequently as you like at no charge.
  • Do not use your Social Security number as your username or password to sign on to your accounts online. 
  • Ask about suspicious charges. Do not hesitate to contact Oak Bank or the appropriate credit card issuer if you see questionable charges.
  • Cancel and cut up unused credit cards. If you have an open account that you no longer use call the creditor to cancel it and cut up the card before throwing it out (the same is true for unused or expired cards of all types, including expired Oak Bank Debit or Check Cards).
  • Keep your ATM password secure. Do not use obvious or easily obtainable information (like your birth date) for your password. Avoid writing it down and never share your password.
  • Be aware of your surroundings and exercise caution when using an ATM. Using common sense will make your transactions safer. 
  • Limit personal information on checks. Do not have excess personal information like your driver's license number or Social Security number printed on your checks.
  • Store new and cancelled checks safely. Also, only carry your checkbook with you when necessary.

4. Phone and mail precautions  

  • Be aware of telephone scams. Unless you initiated the contact, do not give out personal information over the telephone.   Oak Bank will never make an unsolicited telephone request for your account information, password, or other sensitive data.

  • Promptly retrieve incoming mail. Collect your mail as soon as possible every day to limit the opportunity for theft.

  • Do not place outgoing mail in your mailbox. Deposit mail in a U.S. Postal Service mailbox or at the post office to reduce the chance of mail theft. 

  • Know your billing and statement cycles. Contact the company's customer service department if you stop receiving your regular bill or statement.

 

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Online and Computer Security Tips

Oak Bank wants to empower you with some tips you can take to help you protect your computer and your personal information when you are online.

Keep your computer operating system up to date. If your computer is more than five years old, its operating system (e.g. Windows 98, OS 7, etc.) may not offer the same level of protection as newer systems. System manufacturers provide frequent updates to help make your system more secure. Some manufacturers supply updates automatically through email or via your Internet connection. You may also check their Web sites, including:  http://www.microsoft.com/security/ or http://info.apple.com/

Use a current Web browser. To provide our customers with the most secure online access to their accounts, Oak Bank continually upgrades our online services. In certain cases, the software you use to connect to the Internet (i.e. your Web browser) may eventually become unsuitable for sensitive transactions such as Internet banking. In order to maintain a high level of security, Oak Bank does not allow access to iBank using browsers that do not meet our security criteria. You may need to upgrade to a supported browser. 

Note: We strongly recommend that your computer be connected to the internet using one of the browsers indicated.

Microsoft Internet Explorer
Download Internet Explorer

Apple's Safari Browser
Download Safari

Mozilla Firefox
 Download Firefox

Install a personal firewall. Though most office networks include firewall protection, your home computer may benefit from this added level of security. Check to see if your operating system already includes a firewall prior to purchasing a separate one.

Install and update anti-virus software. Commercially available virus protection software helps reduce the risk of contracting computer viruses that can compromise your security. These programs offer continuous upgrades in response to the latest threats. Some of the most popular programs are:
 http://us.mcafee.com
http://www.norton.com/
 http://www.trendmicro.com/home/default.asp

Activate a pop-up blocker. Several free, publicly available programs exist that will block all pop-up windows from occurring while you are online. Perform an Internet search for "pop-up blocker" or look at the options provided by major search engines. You should confirm that these programs are from legitimate companies before downloading. Once you have installed a pop-up blocker, you should determine if it blocks information that you need to view or access. If this is the case, you should consider turning off the blocker when you are on Web sites you know use pop-windows to provide information you need or want to view.

Scan your computer for spyware regularly. You can eliminate potentially risky pop-up windows by removing any spyware or adware installed on your computer. Spyware and adware are programs that look in on your Web viewing activity and potentially relay information to a disreputable source. Perform an Internet search for "spyware" or "adware" to find free spyware removal programs.  A good one can be found at http://housecall.trendmicro.com/ .  You should confirm that these programs are from legitimate companies before downloading. As with a pop-up blocker, you will want to be sure that your removal program is not blocking, or removing, wanted items, and if it is, consider turning it off on some Web sites.

Use secure Web sites for transactions and shopping. Be sure the Web page you are viewing offers encryption of your data. Often you will see a lock symbol in the lower right-hand corner of your browser window, or the Web address of the page you are viewing will begin with "https://...". The "s" indicates "secured" and means the Web page uses encryption. Oak Bank, for instance, provides 128-bit encryption - the highest level commercially available today.

Avoid downloading programs from unknown sources. Downloads from unfamiliar sources may contain hidden programs or viruses that can compromise your computer's security.

Disconnect from the Internet when not in use. Dedicated services such as DSL or high-speed cable provide a constant connection between your computer and the Internet. When not in use, disconnect from the Internet to avoid unwanted access to the information on your computer. Even if you have a firewall installed, this is an additional step you can take to help protect yourself.

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How We Protect You

Oak Bank prides itself in its standards for account security. Today, we remain as committed as ever and utilize the latest technology to protect your personal information and privacy. 

Individualized password
When you sign up for online access, Oak Bank asks you to create your own password, along with a access ID, to access your accounts. This information is encrypted during transmission and will remain a secret as long as you do not disclose it. 

Timed log-off
Oak Bank's system will automatically log you off from iBank after 10 minutes of inactivity. This reduces the risk of others accessing your information from your unattended computer.

Firewall
Oak Bank's computer systems are protected 24 hours a day by a powerful firewall that blocks unauthorized entry. In order to gain access to authorized information, the Web browser you are using must know the proper protocol, or language, and even then only select information is available.

Encryption
From the moment account information leaves your computer to the time it enters Oak Bank's system, all online access and Bill Pay sessions are encrypted. Oak Bank employs some of the strongest forms of encryption commercially available for use on the Web today.

During any transaction, our 128-bit encryption turns your information into a coded sequence with billions of possible variations, making it nearly impossible for unwanted intruders to decipher. Oak Bank's computers possess the proper formulas to turn this code back into meaningful information and complete your transaction.

Look for a "closed lock" icon in the lower right-hand corner (Microsoft Internet Explorer) or lower left-hand corner (Firefox) of your browser to determine if encryption is being used on any Web page you are viewing. Any Web address beginning with "https://..." indicates the page you are viewing uses encryption. The "s" stands for "secured."

Constant surveillance
Oak Bank's security team maintains and monitors all security systems to make sure that your accounts are safe and secure.

Technology updates
In order to confront constantly evolving online threats, Oak Bank is committed to keeping up with and utilizing the latest technology to ensure your account security.

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