Eastern Bank takes every precaution to make sure your account and personal information remain safe. Below are some simple steps you can take to minimize your chances of becoming a victim of fraud and identity theft.
Internet Safeguards
You can help protect yourself and your account information by following these simple steps:
Delete suspicious emails from unknown sources without opening them.
Do not click on links in an unsolicited email or pop-up advertisement asking for personal information.
Do not open and install attachments and free software from unknown sources.
If you receive an email that warns you, with little or no notice, that an account will be shut down unless you reconfirm your personal information, do not reply or click on the link in the email. Call the company cited in the email using a telephone number you know to be genuine to confirm if the request is authentic.
Do not send confidential information such as account numbers and passwords over the Internet in an email.
Before submitting confidential information through a website, make sure the connection is secure. Normally, the URL address will begin with https://. You should also see a locked padlock icon at the bottom of your browser window.
Always log off banking websites where you have entered a user ID and password when you are done with your online banking session.
Install anti-virus protection software on your computer and remember to update it frequently.
Keep your online banking password secure. Do not share your password or use obvious or easily obtainable information such as your name or date of birth. Select a password that uses both letters, numbers and symbols to make it harder to guess.
Avoid ID Theft
You can help protect yourself and your account information by following these simple steps:
Delete suspicious emails from unknown sources without opening them.
Never provide personal information over the phone or the Internet if you did not initiate the contact.
Purchase a shredder and shred financial and personal documents you no longer need, such as credit card offers, pay stubs and utility bills, before discarding them.
Carry only necessary identification in your wallet or purse. For example, do not carry your Social Security card.
Do not print your Social Security number on your checks.
When your Social Security number is requested, confirm that it is actually needed rather than some other identifier.
Use online banking to pay your bills. The fewer personal documents sent through the mail, the less chance there is for identity theft.
Closely monitor your bank account statements and credit card bills. Contact your financial institution immediately if there's a discrepancy in your records or if you notice something suspicious, such as a missing payment or an unauthorized withdrawal.
Avoid using public computers, such as those in libraries, hotels or Internet cafes, to connect to online banking sites because of the risk of spyware residing on the public equipment.
Reduce the number of credit offers you receive by contacting the National Consumer Credit Reporting Agencies at 1-888-5-OPTOUT (567-8688) or visiting www.optoutprescreen.com. You can opt out of receiving credit offers for five years or permanently.
Free Credit Report
Free Annual Credit Report
It is important to review your credit report at least once a year to ensure that the information is correct and free of any suspicious activity.
Under the FACT Act amendments to the Fair Credit Reporting Act, you are entitled to one free personal credit report in a 12-month period. To request this free annual report, you can contact the central source online at www.annualcreditreport.com or call toll-free 877-FACT ACT (322-8228).
Emails from Eastern Bank
We will never ask you to send confidential information to us via email, such as your logon ID, password, account numbers, or Social Security number. If you receive any such request, DO NOT respond to it. Please notify us immediately at 1-800-EASTERN (327-8376). However, in order to establish or maintain financial services offered by Eastern Bank, we may request confidential information through secure contact forms or protected online applications. We will safeguard any information you share with us using security measures that comply with federal law to ensure protections against unauthorized access.