• Don’t respond to texts, emails or calls about checks from the government.Here’s what you need to know.
• Ignore online offers for vaccinations. There are no products proven to treat or prevent COVID-19 at this time.
• Be wary of ads for test kits.Most test kits being advertised have not been approved by the FDA, and aren’t necessarily accurate.
• Hang up on robocalls.Scammers are using illegal robocalls to pitch everything from low-priced health insurance to work-at-home schemes.
• Watch for emails claiming to be from the CDC or WHO. Use sites like gov and usa.gov/coronavirus to get the latest information.  And don’t click on links from sources you don’t know.
• Do your homework when it comes to donations.Never donate in cash, by gift card, or by wiring money.

• Never rely on the name or address in the "From" field, as this is easily altered.
• Fraudulent emails may direct you to counterfeit websites carefully designed to look legitimate, but which actually collect personal information for fraudulent use.
• You should never call a number featured on an email you suspect is fraudulent.
• Universal Bank will never send email containing attachments without permission, or require customers to send personal information to us via email or pop-up windows. If you encounter a suspicious email, website, or unsolicited pop-up window that claims affiliation with Universal Bank, please report it to us immediately.
• Some fraudulent emails promise a prize or gift certificate if you complete a survey that may ask for your personal information.
• Someone posing as a tech support representative may call and persuade you that your computer has been infected with some type of malware.
• Phishing attempts may include an email informing you that your password has expired and must be reset by clicking on a link. These links often take you to malicious sites.

Posing as a legitimate company to obtain personal data and to fraudulently conduct transactions on your existing accounts is ONLINE FRAUD. This is often called "phishing" or "pharming" -- the most common methods of online fraud are fraudulent emails, websites, and pop-up windows, or any combination of these. Suspicious emails. Be cautious of suspicious emails and review any email requesting your account information and/or password, particularly if the email states that the information is needed to "award a prize" or "verify a statement." Avoid opening any suspicious emails. If you have opened any suspicious email, do not open any attachments or links it may contain, and delete it. Never respond to emails, open attachments, or click on links from suspicious or unknown senders.

• Before you approach the ATM, have your ATM card out and ready to use.
• Use care when inputting your Personal Identification Number (PIN) to prevent someone from looking over your shoulder.
• Know your surroundings. If anything looks suspicious when you are the ATM, come back later or use another ATM.
• Some ATMs are in enclosed areas. Before entering an enclosed ATM vestibule, look around before entering and never hold the door for someone else.
• Whenever possible, have someone accompany you when you use at an ATM at night.
• Keep your car doors locked if using a drive-up ATM.
• Do not count your cash at the ATM. Count it later when in a secure place.
• Take your receipts with you.
• Never allow a stranger to assist you with using an ATM.
• Do not use your name, your birth date, phone number, or address, etc. when selecting a PIN.
• Don't write your PIN down anywhere and never share it with anyone.
• Review your account statements on a regular basis. You may also sign on to Universal Bank Online Banking to verify transactions. Notify Universal Bank immediately if you determine there are discrepancies.
• Never provide your card information over the phone unless you initiated the call.
• When you receive a replacement card, destroy your old card.
• If you forget your PIN or would like to select a new one, please visit your nearest Universal Bank Branch.
• Always keep your card in a safe place, as you would cash, checks, or credit cards.
• Keep your ATM password secure. Do not use obvious or easily obtainable information (such as your birth date) for your password. Never share your password and avoid writing it down.

• Report lost or stolen cards and checks immediately.
• Review account statements carefully. By regularly checking your balances and other account activity you can more quickly detect and stop fraudulent activity. With Universal Bank Online Banking you can monitor your account activity online any time and as often as you like.
• Report Suspicious Activity – If suspect that your identity or your Universal Bank account has been compromised, contact Universal Bank at (888) 809-8282 immediately. Our Customer Service Representatives are available Monday through Friday, 8:30am to 5:00pm.
• If you have a lost or stolen Universal Bank ATM card or Visa Debit card, please contact our 24/7 Lost/Stolen Customer Card Service Center directly at (800) 554-8969.
• If you have a lost or stolen Universal Bank Visa credit card, please contact our 24/7 Lost/Stolen Customer Card Service Center directly at (800) 558-3424 for consumer customers and (866) 552-8855 for business customers.
• Cancel and cut up unused or expired credit, ATM, debit cards, etc. 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. Follow the same procedure for unused or expired cards of all types.
• Keep your ATM password secure. Do not use obvious or easily obtainable information (such as your birth date) for your password. Never share your password and avoid writing it down.

• Protect and memorize your passwords. Never write your password down or share them with anyone. Change passwords regularly and use combinations of letters, numbers, and "special characters" such as the #, @,), ? signs. Do not use any personal information in your password or username such as your Social Security Number or birthday. Never use your username as a password.
• Universal Bank continually upgrades our online services to provide you with the most secure online services. We do not allow access to Universal Bank Online Banking using browsers that do not meet our security criteria. If you have problems accessing our online banking services, you may need to upgrade your browser.
• Install a personal firewall. Firewalls provide additional protection for your home computer. Many operating systems come with firewall protection. Before purchasing a firewall, check your operating system.
• Antivirus Software. Virus protection software helps reduce the risk of contracting computer viruses and malware that can compromise your computer and personal security.
• Use secure websites for transactions and shopping. Make sure the web page you are viewing offers encryption of your data. If you see a lock symbol in your browser window next to the website address, or if the web address of the page you are viewing begins with https://, this indicates that web page is secure and uses encryption. Universal Bank provides 128-bit encryption, the highest level available today.
• Do not download programs from unknown sources. Sometimes hidden programs or viruses are contained on downloaded programs which can compromise your computer. Use caution when downloading from an unfamiliar site.
• Install a personal firewall. Firewalls provide additional protection for your home computer. Many operating systems come with firewall protection.
• Install antivirus software. Virus protection software helps reduce the risk of contracting computer viruses and malware that can compromise your computer and personal security.
• Use secure websites for transactions and shopping. Make sure the web page you are viewing offers encryption of your data. If you see a lock symbol in your browser window next to the website address, or if the web address of the page you are viewing begins with https://, this indicates that web page is secure and uses encryption.
• Do not download programs from unknown sources. Sometimes hidden programs or viruses are contained on downloaded programs which can compromise your computer. Use caution when downloading from an unfamiliar site.

• They may call your credit card issuer to change the billing address on your credit card account. The impostor then runs up charges on your account. Because your bills are being sent to a different address, it may be some time before you realize there's a problem.
• They may open new credit card accounts in your name. When they use the credit cards and don't pay the bills, the delinquent accounts are reported on your credit report.
• They may establish phone or wireless service in your name.
• They may open a bank account in your name and write bad checks on that account.
• They may counterfeit checks or credit or debit cards, or authorize electronic transfers in your name, and drain your bank account.
• They may file for bankruptcy under your name to avoid paying debts they've incurred under your name, or to avoid eviction.
• They may buy a car by taking out an auto loan in your name.
• They may get identification such as a driver's license issued with their picture, in your name.
• They may get a job or file fraudulent tax returns in your name.
• They may give your name to the police during an arrest. If they don't show up for their court date, a warrant for arrest is issued in your name.
• Failing to receive bills or other mail. Follow up with creditors if your bills don't arrive on time. A missing bill could mean an identity thief has taken over your account and changed your billing address to cover his tracks.
• Receiving credit cards that you didn't apply for.Being denied credit, or being offered less favorable credit terms, like a high interest rate, for no apparent reason.
• Getting calls or letters from debt collectors or businesses about merchandise or services you didn't buy.
  
  

• Report Suspicious Activity – If suspect that your identity or your Universal Bank account has been compromised, contact Universal Bank at (888) 809-8282 immediately. Our Customer Service Representatives are available Monday through Friday, 8:30am to 5:00pm.
• If you have a lost or stolen Universal Bank ATM card or Visa Debit card, please contact our 24/7 Lost/Stolen Customer Card Service Center directly at (800) 554-8969.
• If you have a lost or stolen Universal Bank Visa credit card, please contact our 24/7 Lost/Stolen Customer Card Service Center directly at (800) 558-3424 for consumer customers and (866) 552-8855 for business customers.
• Contact FTC 1-877-ID THEFT (1-877-438-4338) to file a complaint into a secure FTC online database that is shared with other law enforcement agencies investigating ID theft.

Contact credit reporting agencies:

Equifax: 1-800-685-1111

Experian: 1-888-397-3742

TransUnion: 1-800-916-8800

Contact other creditors – card, phone companies, banks, and other lenders. Follow up phone conversations with a letter. Close any accounts that have been breached and re-open them with new account numbers and passwords.

File a report with local police.