Beware of Links: Banks will never send you a text or email that asks you to click a link. If you receive this type of message, don’t respond – just delete it and call your bank to confirm they didn’t send it.

Beware of Scare Tactics: Some scams pressure or even threaten you to respond, but don’t! Instead, call your bank to see if it’s a scam or not.

Protect your Confidential Information: Your bank will never ask for your account number, social security number, name, address or password in an email or text message. They will only ask you to provide this information to verify your identity when you call them directly.

Call the Number on your Card: If you receive an email, text or call and you have suspicions, play it safe by calling the number on the back of your card to speak to someone at your bank about the message you received.

Watch for Misspelled Words: It’s very common to find typos in a fraudulent text or email. If you find one in the message, you know it’s a scam!

Identity theft occurs when someone uses another person’s personal identifying information, like their name, identifying number, or credit card number, without their permission, to commit fraud or other crimes.

Do you think you or someone you know is a victim of identity theft?

Take Action

Protect your information

We take your personal information and security very serious. We do not share your information per our privacy policy.

Under the Fair Credit Reporting Act, the Credit Report Companies are permitted to include your name on lists used by creditors or insurers to make firm offers.  If you would like to opt out, you can go to this website: https://www.optoutprescreen.com/.

If you choose to Opt-Out, you will no longer be included in firm offer lists provided by these four consumer credit reporting companies.

Your credit report may affect mortgage rates, credit card applications, or even some job applications. Reviewing your report annually helps you catch signs of identity theft early. You can receive your free annual credit report from any three of the major bureaus (Equifax, Experian, and Trans Union) through www.annualcreditreport.com

Elder financial abuse is a growing financial crime. Looking for common warning signs is a first step in protecting loved ones.
Learn more about Elder Financial Abuse

Within our free digital banking service you can turn your debit card on or off immediately if your card is lost or stolen. If you don’t find your card, contact the bank to order you a new debit card.

• Keep your device’s operating system, software, and apps up to date—be sure to go the company’s website to confirm the update is legitimate
• Install and regularly update anti-virus software on your desktop, laptop, and tablet
• Set up a password for your device and lock it when not in use
• Do not install or run any program or app on your device, unless it is from a trusted source
• Before you sell, donate, or trade in your device, make sure to wipe it or do a factory reset on it. This option can typically be found under a settings or control panel.

• Create cOmplic@t3d passwords and change them at least 3 times a year
• Always log out when finished using UCB’s digital banking
• Never store personal or financial information, including passwords, on your device
• Be cautious using public Wi-Fi as even reputable hot spots can be compromised
• Don’t click links in spam emails—even those forwarded to you by someone you know
• Monitor your financial statements regularly for unexplained activity and promptly dispute any activity that looks suspicious. Using our free digital banking allows you to monitor your accounts in real time.
• Periodically check your credit report to make sure all your personal information is accurate at annualcreditreport.com
• Sign up for account activity alerts in digital banking under Manage Alerts tab

• IRS scam during tax season
• Tech support scams claiming your computer is infected or damaged and needs to be repaired immediately, and demanding payment.
• Want to learn about more common and clever scams to protect yourself? Visit the Federal Trade Commission’s alert board: www.consumer.ftc.gov/scam-alerts

The FDIC’s Consumer News has great tips.

Tips of being financially safe while travelling

• Use secure, unique passwords.
• Use a single card for online purchases (preferably a credit card) and monitor purchases regularly.
• Don’t use public computers for online shopping.
• Beware of phishing ads or popups for deals that seem too good to pass up.
• Make sure you are on the official store website, and not a fraudulent look alike site with similar URL.

We monitor your debit card 24/7 to spot potential fraud or unusual activity. You will be notified of potential fraud as it is identified and may be asked to verify the transaction. This service is of no cost to you.

Enroll in UBB ID TheftSmart! This service is great to keep you and your identity safe. Contact a personal banker to learn more.

When a data breach, theft, or loss exposes your personal information, take action. The Federal Trade Commission has an easy-to-use, interactive ID checklist to know what steps to take when your information falls into the wrong hands.

1. Call us and your credit card issuers immediately.
2. Place a fraud alert.
3. Order credit reports.
4. Create an identity theft report.
5. View more resources

If you believe that your card has been lost or stolen, call us at 218-346-5700 as soon as possible. If it’s after normal business hours, please call:

• UCB debit cards: 844-202-5333
• Prepaid Visa card: 800-486-0292
• Elan Visa credit card: 800-558-3424

To report fraud on your UCB account or if you have any questions, call us at 218-346-5700.

Contact one of the three major credit bureaus to place a fraud alert on your credit report, as well as a victim’s statement asking that creditors call you before opening new accounts or charging existing ones.

• Equifax (888) 766.0008
• Experian (888) 397-3742
• Trans Union (800) 680-7289

As required by law, that credit bureau will report the information to the other two bureaus for you. You should also:

• contact creditors for any accounts that have been affected
• always follow up with a letter and keep copies of everything
• close affected accounts and assign passwords to new ones

If you ever receive a suspicious piece of communication supposedly from us, please call us at 218-346-5700 to confirm it.

The Federal Trade Commission wants your help in detecting patterns of fraud and abuse.
Report scam