Online Safety Guidance

Your security is of the utmost importance to us at Texas Republic Bank. Texas Republic Bank believes that the best defense against online criminals is for us to keep you as informed as possible. Below are a few practical tips to guide you in protecting yourself against identity theft.

Identity theft can occur in a number of ways:

• Getting personal information off of bills or credit statements in the trash.
• Eavesdropping on personal transactions in public.
• Impersonating a bank or credit union in an email.
• Gathering information from a facsimile of a legitimate site.

Here are a few things you can do to prevent identity theft:

• Shred any documents with your social security number or credit information rather than throwing it away.
• Log off your computer when you leave it.
• Install anti-virus and anti-spyware software on your computer and run it at least every two weeks.
• Be wary of emails from sources you don’t know. Do not click on links inside emails from untrustworthy sources.
• Only give information to trustworthy sources who can verify their identity to you.

Be Aware of Common Scams 

Here are some of the most common online scams that target users of mobile technology:

Phishing – Beware of any unsolicited emails from organizations requesting you to update your personal/financial details. To make their emails look genuine, the phishers may have copied an organization’s logo, images or even their entire website. Call your service provider if you are unsure.

Wire transfer scams – Beware of any sellers requesting you to send funds overseas – this scam involves the seller engaging the buyer off-site (usually via email) and convincing them to send money through an international money transfer service for an item that will never be shipped.

Domestic non-delivery fraud (domestic) – Beware of ads for high value electronic items advertised for a low price – unsuspecting buyers make contact and send funds to the seller but never receive the item.

Buyer fraud scam – Beware buyers requesting you send the item you are selling overseas. They may send a fake invoice from a financial provider to dupe you into thinking they have paid.

How to Avoid Online Scams Hoaxes and Phishing

• If you suspect you have received a hoax mail, make sure you avoid replying to it or opening an accompanying attachment. Simply delete it.
• If in doubt, visit trusted websites by typing the Internet address (URL) into the browser address bar rather than clicking on a link embedded in an email. Save frequently used links in your favorites or bookmarks.
• Never respond to requests for personal information in an unexpected e-mail or pop-up window. If in doubt, always contact the institution that claims to be the sender of the email or pop-up window for clarification.
• Use a spam filter to help block unsolicited or unwanted e-mail.
• Remember that Internet Service Provider (ISP) never send an e-mail requesting passwords, account verification, credit card details, or other personal details by asking you to ‘click the link” – only provide this information to them in response to an unexpected request or one you have initiated.
• Report suspected online crime to your local Police or Crime Stoppers.