What is e-mail fraud
Phony e-mail messages sent to you for the purpose of stealing personal and financial information are among the most common types of e-mail fraud.

Disguised as legitimate e-mail and claiming to be from sources you trust, these messages attempt to entice you to provide various types of personal and confidential information, including online IDs and passwords, Social Security numbers and account numbers.

Also known as phishing or spoofing, the practice of e-mail fraud is commonly used by criminals to gain access to your existing accounts or to use your personal and financial information to open new accounts.

Recognizing e-mail fraud
Spotting phony e-mail messages is not always easy. And the criminals who use them are becoming more sophisticated about creating them.

Phony e-mail messages may ask you to reply directly or click on a link that takes you to a fraudulent Web site that appears legitimate. In either case, they will generally ask you to provide sensitive personal, financial or account information.

Here are some tips for spotting phony e-mails:

• Urgent appeals. Frequently, these e-mails claim that your account may be closed if you fail to confirm, verify or authenticate your personal information immediately.
• Requests for security information. Fraudulent e-mails often claim that the bank has lost important security information that needs to be updated. They also may request that the user visit and update this information online.
• Typos and other errors. Fraudulent e-mails or Web sites may contain typographical or grammatical errors. The writing may also be awkward, stilted or inappropriate. The visual or design quality may be poor.

• Make sure the security features of your computer software, including your Web browser, are up-to-date. Software companies continuously provide security updates to their products. To learn more about keeping your computer security current, get tips and information from Microsoft or visit the National Cyber Security Alliance.
• Don't take anything for granted. Always keep in mind that forging e-mails and creating fraudulent Web sites is not difficult.
• Confirm the validity of all requests for sensitive personal, financial or account information, particularly if they are made with an urgent or threatening tone.
• Call the company directly to confirm requests for updating or verifying personal or account information.
• Confirm requests for personal or account information by going to the company Web site directly. Open a new browser window, type the Web address and check to see if you must actually perform any activity that an e-mail may be asking you to do, such as change a password.
• Do not share your IDs or passwords with anyone. Choose passwords that are difficult for others to guess and use a different password for each of your online accounts. Use both letters and numbers and a combination of lowercase and capital letters if the passwords or personal identification numbers (PINs) are case sensitive. Change your password often.
• If you think you may have provided personal or account information in response to a fraudulent e-mail or Web site, report the fraud immediately, change your passwords and monitor your account activity frequently.
• Always sign off Web sites or secure areas of Web sites (for example, Online Banking) for which you use an ID and password to enter.
• When your computer is not in use, shut it down or disconnect it from the Internet.
• Be careful and selective before providing your e-mail address to a questionable Web site. Sharing your e-mail address makes you more likely to receive fraudulent e-mails.
• Review your monthly credit card and bank account statements thoroughly. Investigate suspicious items immediately to head off any possible fraud before it occurs.

• Anti-virus protection. If your computer becomes infected with a virus, you could possibly lose information and incur repair expenses. Make sure your computer has an anti-virus protection program installed to reduce the risk of your computer becoming infected.
• Automatic upgrades. We recommend that you purchase a program that automatically upgrades your virus protection on a recurring basis. If you do not have this automatic upgrade feature, make sure you update your virus detection program weekly and when you hear of a new virus.
• Attachments. We advise you not to open attachments or diskettes unless you are certain that you can trust the source. Learn how to manually screen diskettes and attachments if your anti-virus software does not automatically screen for viruses.
• Contact your ISP. Your Internet service provider (ISP) may have additional recommendations and technical support for protecting yourself against online viruses, e-mail fraud and spam. We suggest that you contact your ISP for recommendations specific to your computer and network.

Reporting Fraud

E-mail and online fraud

• If you suspect you've received a fraudulent e-mail appearing to be from American National Bank, forward it to us immediately at fraud@americannationalbank.com. This e-mail address is able to handle only messages related to suspected e-mail fraud. Please do not use this e-mail address to send us general questions about the bank or your accounts. If you have general questions, please go to Contact Us.
• If you suspect you have provided personal information online in response to a fraudulent email and would like to have an alert placed on your account, immediately call the phone number on your account statement or contact the branch.
• If you are uncomfortable forwarding the e-mail, you may also call us and report it at (954)491-7788. Please be sure to write down the title of the e-mail, the sender and names of any attachments.
  

If you think you are a victim of fraud, immediately contact American National Bank by calling (954)491-7788.

Take these precautions to protect your information

• Be discriminating when providing personal information such as Social Security number and account or credit card information over the telephone, in person or on the Internet. Don't give out this information unless you are sure with whom you are dealing.
• Protect your Social Security number and the Social Security numbers of your children and other family members by not carrying them in your wallet.
• Report lost or stolen checks, credit or check cards immediately. American National Bank will block payment on the check numbers or account numbers involved.
• Store cancelled checks, new checks and account statements in a safe place.
• Notify your banker of suspicious phone inquiries such as those asking for account information to "verify a statement" or "award a prize."
• Review your credit report at least once every year. Make sure all information is up-to-date and accurate. Under a new federal law, you may have the right to receive a free copy of your credit report once every 12 months from each of the three nationwide consumer reporting companies. To request your free annual report under that law, you may go to www.annualcreditreport.com .
• Memorize your PIN (Personal Identification Number) and refrain from writing it, your Social Security number or credit card number on a check.
• Tear up or shred any pre-approved credit offers to which you do not respond. Thieves can use these offers to assume your identity.
• Keep mail secure. Don't mail bills or sensitive information from your home or unsecured mailboxes. Retrieve and review your mail promptly. Thieves may use the personal information contained in your mail to steal your identity.
• If you do not receive your regular bills when expected, call the company to find out why.
• Review your monthly account statements thoroughly. Investigate suspicious items immediately to head off any possible fraud before it occurs.
• Do not carry your Social Security card, passport or birth certificate unless needed that day.

• Equifax 1.800.525.6285 | www.equifax.com
• Experian 1.888.397.3742 | www.experian.com
• Trans Union 1.800.680.7289 | www.tuc.com

Other information sources

Learn more at Federal Trade Commission for identity theft and the National Consumer League for fraud Web sites.

Using ATMs safely

• Surveillance cameras. Some ATMs may be monitored by surveillance cameras, which record the activity in the area of the ATM.
• Be aware of strangers. When you enter or exit an ATM in an enclosed area, be sure you close the entry door completely.
• Put away your card and cash. After completing your transaction, secure your card and cash immediately, before exiting the ATM area. Count it later in the safety of your locked car or home.
• Treat your ATM card like cash. Always protect your card by keeping it in a safe place. If your card is lost or stolen, contact us immediately.
• Protect your privacy. Shield the keypad with your hand or body while entering your PIN. Do not leave your transaction record at the ATM. Keep your transaction record in a safe place, so you can compare it to your later statements.
• Drive-up ATMs. If you use a drive-up ATM, be sure passenger windows are rolled up and your doors are locked.
• Be careful at night. Be aware of your surroundings, especially after dark. If you must use an ATM at night, consider taking someone with you.
• Stay alert. If you notice anything suspicious or that you deem unsafe, such as the lighting around the ATM not working, use another ATM or return later.
• Report suspicious behavior. Report all crimes immediately to law enforcement officials and your local banking centers.
• Emergency assistance and security. If you need emergency assistance, call 911 from the nearest telephone.

Preventing Check Card fraud

• Sign immediately. Sign the signature panel on your check cards as soon as you receive them and keep duplicates in a safe place.
• Memorize your PIN. Don't carry your PIN (Personal Identification Number). Memorize it or keep the number at home.
• Verify your card. Be sure your check card is returned after a purchase, and that it is indeed your card.
• Wait for your card receipt. Don't leave your check card receipts at the checkout counter. Always take your charge slips and tear up any carbons.
• Save your receipts. Check them against your monthly account statements to make sure you can identify all of your transactions. Report any unauthorized transactions immediately. After you have reconciled your monthly statements, tear up all receipts and discard them at home.
• Check statements and watch your charges. Verify that your monthly statement reflects the amount you authorized. Also, watch for multiple charges.
• Keep it private. Keep your statements in a safe place.
• Out of sight. Never leave your purse or wallet unattended and always keep your cards out of plain sight.
• Never lend your card. Your check card is your responsibility. Also, periodically check to make sure you have all your cards.
• Keep a list. In a separate location, keep a list of account numbers and telephone numbers to call if your cards are lost or stolen.
• Check statements and watch your charges. Be cautious when giving your card number over the phone. Verify that your monthly statement reflects the amount you authorized. Also, watch for multiple charges.

Remember to report a lost or stolen card immediately by calling one of the numbers below. No matter where you are, report lost or stolen cards to minimize loss and liability.

If your card is lost or stolen, you should immediately report this to American National Bank and notify all of the participating merchants with whom you've set up automatic bill payments. Once American National Bank issues you a new card, you'll need to reestablish automatic bill payments with your new card at the participating merchants.