Security Information

Security Warning

Solvay Bank will never ask you for your Social Security number, account number, password, or personal identification number (PIN) in an unsolicited request to your e-mail address. We already have this information on file.  Should you receive any such email or fax requests, or other written communication requesting this sensitive information or for the transfer of funds from your account, do not respond.  We ask that you call our Security Dept at 315-484-2266.
 

Your Solvay Bank transactional sessions are protected in a secured environment through Secure Sockets Layer (SSL) encryption.  This SSL technology is used to encrypt your personal information before it leaves your computer to ensure no one else can read it. Depending on your browser setting, when you access a transactional web site, a pop-up window will appear to notify you that you will be entering a secured page. You will know when you are on a secured Solvay Bank page when you see the "https://" before the web address. A padlock symbol in the lower right hand corner of your browser window will also be present. A closed padlock indicates that your Solvay Bank online session is in a "secured" environment.

Firewalls
Solvay Bank uses firewalls to block potentially destructive information from entering our computer systems and prevent unauthorized access. Firewall software can also be installed on your company and home computers as a barrier against hackers and viruses.

Log On and Password Feature
To make accessing your Solvay Bank accounts safe and secure, we require that you create your Access ID and Password to log on to our  secured transactional sites. This information is then authenticated by Solvay Bank's system to verify who you are before providing account access. 
Note: No one at Solvay Bank will ever ask you for your password.

Log On Attempts
For added security, we protect your online access by tracking the number of log-in attempts. After a specific number of incorrect password attempts, we will immediately disable online access. You will then need to contact Solvay Bank by phone at 315-484-2204 to re-establish access .

Session Time-Out
For your protection, Solvay Bank sites include a session time-out feature for your online account session. If your online account session remains idle for a specific time, your session is ended automatically. This is done to protect your accounts from unauthorized access if your PC is left unattended, or you have not logged off your internet online session.

NOTE:  Solvay Bank will never ask you for sensitive information in an unsolicited request to your e-mail address.  Should you receive any such requests, or requests in the form of fax or other written communication requesting this sensitive information or for the transfer of funds from your account, do not respond.  We ask that you call our Security Dept at 315-484-2266.
 

Log Off and Browser
Always remember to log off of our web sites and close your browser when you have finished conducting online transactions or visiting secure web sites. This will help prevent others from viewing your online banking information at a later time. If you suspect any unusual account activity, contact us immediately by phone at 315-484-2204.

Identity Theft:
[ from the ABA Education Foundation ]

Identity theft is one of the fastest-growing types of financial fraud. Without stealing your wallet, a crook can steal your financial identity with as little information as your social security number. It is also called "account-takeover fraud" or "true-name fraud," and it involves crooks' assuming your identity by applying for credit, running up huge bills and stiffing creditors - all in your name.

Take these steps to protect yourself:

1. Order copies of your credit report once a year to ensure they are accurate. You can call each of the three national credit-reporting agencies because each may contain different aspects of your credit history, or you can contact the Annual Credit Report Service for one free credit report each year. The Fair Credit Reporting Act requires each of the three national credit reporting companies to provide consumers with a free copy of their credit report once every 12 months.

If you have been denied credit in the past 60 days, the credit-reporting agency that sent the report to your prospective creditor must provide you with a copy of the report for free. However, it will not be sent automatically so you have to request a copy from the credit-reporting agency.

2. Keep an eye on your accounts throughout the year by reading your monthly/periodic statements thoroughly. That's an easy way for you to be sure that all of the activity in your accounts was initiated by you.

3. Tear up or shred pre-approved credit offers, receipts and other personal information that link your name to account numbers. Don't leave your ATM or credit card receipt in public trash cans. Crooks (a.k.a dumpster divers) are known to go through trash to get account numbers and other items that will give them just enough information to get credit in your name.  Use a shredder before disposing of personal records, especially financial records -- preferably a cross-cut shredder (thieves have been known to paste together single-shred documents to obtain information).

4. If your credit card or other bills are more than two weeks late, you should do three things: First, contact the Postal Service to see if someone has forwarded your mail to another address. Second, contact your bank to ask if the statement or card has been mailed. Third, contact the businesses that send you bills.

5. When you pay bills, don't put them in your mailbox with the red flag up. That's a flashing neon light telling crooks to grab your information. Use a locked mailbox or the post office.  If you bank or pay credit cards on-line, avoid passwords that include personal information, such as mother's maiden name or date of birth.  Instead, use something unique that only you know and NEVER use an automatic log-in feature on your computer.

6. Protect your account information. Don't write your personal identification number (PIN) on your ATM or debit card. Don't write your social security number or credit card account number on a check. Cover your hand when you are entering your PIN number at an ATM.  Don't leave sensitive documents containing personal information where anyone can see it.

7. Don't carry your Social Security card, passport or birth certificate unless you need it that day. Take all but one or two credit cards out of your wallet, and keep a list at home of your account information and customer service telephone numbers. That way, if your wallet is lost or stolen, you'll only have to notify a few of your creditors and the information will be handy.  Don't use your Social Security number on your driver's license or any other forms of identification.

8. Never provide personal or credit card information over the phone, unless you initiated the call. Crooks are known to call with news that you've won a prize and all they need is your credit card number for verification. Don't fall for it. Remember the old saying, "if it sounds too good to be true, it probably is."

9. When going on vacation, temporarily stop mail delivery; the U S Postal Service will hold mail for you.

• More Tips to Protect Your Financial Identity

Take action if you are a victim:

1. Financial fraud is a crime; call your local police department.

2. Contact the fraud units of all three credit bureaus. Ask them to "flag" your account, which tells creditors that you are a victim of identity fraud. Also, add a victim's statement to each of your credit bureau reports that asks creditors to contact you in person to verify all applications made in your name. Call the fraud units of the credit bureaus at: 

• TransUnion Fraud Assistance Department 800-680-7289
• Equifax Fraud Assistance Department 800-525-6285
• Experian Fraud Assistance Department 888-397-3742

3. Call the Federal Trade Commission's ID Theft hotline at 1 (877) IDTHEFT.  The hotline is staffed by counselors trained to help ID theft victims.  Check out the FTC Web Site, which includes an ID Theft Affidavit  to help simplify the process of clearing up accounts opened by an identity thief.

4. Notify your banks. They can help you obtain new account numbers for all of your checking, savings and other accounts. Be sure to pick a new PIN number for your ATM and debit cards. Close all of your credit card accounts and open with new account numbers. 

Note:  If you believe that you are a victim of identity theft, please contact Solvay Bank immediately!

5. Notify the Postal Inspector if you suspect mail theft - a felony.

6. Depending on your situation, you may want to contact the Social Security Administration to get a new Social Security number. Their telephone number is 800-772-1213. You also may want to contact your telephone, long distance, water, gas and electrical companies to alert them that someone may try to open an account in your name.

7. Finally, make sure to maintain a log of all the contacts you make with authorities regarding the matter. Write down each person's name, title, and phone number in case you need to re-contact them or refer to them in future correspondence.

Test Your Knowledge about Identity Theft — New OnGuard Online Quiz

 

Con artists now use e-mail to try to hijack your personal financial information.  In a scam known as "phishing," swindlers claim to be from a reputable company and send out thousands of fake e-mails in hopes that consumers will respond with the bank account information, credit card numbers, passwords or other sensitive information.

These e-mails can look quite convincing, with company logos and banners copied from actual Web sites.   Often, they will tell you that their security procedure has changed or that they need to update (or validate) your information, and then direct you to a look-alike Web site.  If you respond, the thieves use your information to order goods and services or obtain credit or make unauthorized withdrawals from your bank account.

Solvay Bank will never ask for you to e-mail any sensitive information such as your Social Security Number (SSN), account number, MoneyLink 24 or BusinessAccess 24 passwords, or other personally identifiable financial information.  Solvay Bank employees follow strict policies and procedures in order to keep your private information secure, and this includes not requesting personally identifiable information be sent via e-mail.  If you need to contact the bank regarding this sensitive information, please do so via a phone call or regular mail.

Consumer Tips To avoid becoming a victim of a phishing scam, the American Bankers Association offers these tips:

• Never give out your personal financial information in response to an unsolicited phone call, fax or e-mail, no matter how official it may seem.
• Do not respond to e-mail that may warn of dire consequences unless you validate your information immediately.  Contact the company to confirm the e-mail's validity using a telephone number or Web address you know to be genuine.
• Check your credit card and bank account statements regularly and look for unauthorized transactions, even small ones.  Some thieves hope small transactions will go unnoticed.  Report discrepancies immediately.
• When submitting financial information online, look for the padlock or key icon at the bottom of your Internet browser. Also, many secure Internet addresses, though not all, use "https" to signify that your information is secure during transmission.
• Report suspicious activity to the Internet Crime Complaint Center, a partnership between the FBI and the National White Collar Crime Center.
• If you have responded to an e-mail, contact your bank immediately so they can protect your account and your identity.  For information on identity theft, visit  ABA's Consumer Connection.

For more information on phishing, visit the following:

• Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation

• Federal Trade Commission

• Anti-Phishing Working Group

• National Consumers League

• OCC Consumer Protection News

• OCC Consumer Complaints and Assistance Web site.

Test Your Knowledge about Phishing — New OnGuard Online Quiz