Learn > Financial Resources > Fraud Prevention Center

Protect Your Information

The Summit will never contact you to ask for your account numbers, card number, zip code, passwords, pin numbers, passcodes, or usernames. If anyone contacts you unexpectedly and requests this information, do not provide it.

Online

  • Only enter personal information when you’re on a secure website. Always look for a “lock” on the browser or “https” at the beginning of the website address to ensure the site is secure.
  • Create strong passwords for all of your online logins. A strong password is important for online transactions. Here are steps you can take to create a strong password.
    • Length: The longer, the better and at least 12 characters.
    • Complexity:  Use a combination of numbers, special characters, lowercase and capital letters to create passwords that are at least 12 characters long.
    • Variation: Change them frequently.
    • Variety: Don’t use the same password for everything.
    • Security: Don’t share your passwords and keep them in a safe place.

Email, Text and Phone

  • Do not open emails or text messages if you don’t recognize the sender’s name. When in doubt, delete!
  • Never respond to emails or text messages with personal banking or credit card information.
  • Never provide debit or credit card numbers or PIN in response to unsolicited email.
  • Never use email to send your confidential information, since internet email is not secure.
  • Be cautious about giving confidential information over the phone, or through text message, to callers you don’t know.

Anti-virus Software

  • Update anti-virus software and security patches to your system software regularly.
  • Perform software updates to your mobile devices, too, to avoid malware specifically targeting smartphones, tablets and other similar electronics.

Credit Report and Financial Statements

  • Review your credit report once a year.
  • Check your monthly statements to verify all transactions and notify your financial institution of any suspicious transactions.
  • Tear up or shred any pre-approved credit offers that you do not want.
  • Report lost or stolen checks and credit cards immediately. Close accounts that have been tampered with. As a precaution, make photocopies of both sides of the contents of your wallet and keep the copies in a safe place. If anything should happen, you will have copies of your cards, complete with account numbers and contact information.

Prevent Package Theft

Below are some solutions to help prevent your package from being stolen from your front door, porch or other locations.

  • Use Smart Package Lockers or the UPS Store
    Services like Amazon Locker and the UPS Store offer reliable, safe options for receiving packages.
  • Install Security Cameras or a Video Doorbell
    Pointing security cameras at your front door or driveway or installing a video doorbell will deter criminals from stealing those packages.
  • Have Packages Delivered to Your Workplace/Office
    One of the best ways to keep packages safe is to have them delivered to your office. You can also ask a friend you trust to receive the package for you.
  • Require a Signature on Delivery
    By requiring a signature, your package won’t be left unless someone is there to receive and sign for it.
  • Insure Your Packages
    Most of the major delivery companies offer insurance that guarantees reimbursement for lost or stolen packages.