Securing Your Accounts and Banking Activities

 

Online Security

SouthernTrust Bank offers tools and services that help protect your personal information
 
  • Limit mail fraud by turning off paper statements
  • Check your account activity often to detect fraud earlier
  • Have your funds placed directly in your accounts by signing up for direct deposit
  • View your cleared checks online to monitor for check fraud
  • Use Bill Pay service to pay and receive bills online to help reduce the chances of mail fraud
 
Passwords – It is important that you use a highly secure password for all of your financial accounts. Never use your pet’s name, your child’s name or anything else that a fraudster could easily find out. The most secure passwords are a combination of letters and numbers, not simply an address, phone number or date of birth. For added security, remember to change your password on a regular basis and avoid using the same password for multiple accounts.
 
 

Checking and Savings Accounts

Protect your confidential information by using the following services at SouthernTrust Bank
 
  • Direct Deposit – Have paychecks, dividends, and other recurring credits deposited directly to your account with no more worrying about checks getting lost or stolen in the mail
  • Automatic Payment – Automatic Payments can help protect you from lost or late payments. Arrange to have recurring payments automatically deducted from your account.
  • Online Banking – Access your SouthernTrust Bank accounts through Online Banking. Checking your balances and viewing your account statements online is safer than sending information through the mail.
 
Other tips:
 
  • Guard your checkbook and unused check supply
  • Never write checks in pencil since it is erasable. Use an ink pen or printer.
  • Reconcile your checkbook register when you receive your monthly bank statements.
  • Never use your deposit slip for scrap paper and then give it to someone.
  • Shred bank statements that contain account numbers instead of just throwing them in the trash.
 

ATM and/or Debit Cards

ATM safety
 
  • Be aware of people and your surroundings.
  • Use ATMs with surveillance cameras. SouthernTrust Bank ATMs are monitored in this fashion.
  • Protect your privacy. Shield the ATM keypad with your hand or body while entering your PIN
  • After completing your transaction, secure your card and cash immediately, before exiting the ATM area. Count your cash later, in the safety of your locked car. Keep your ATM card in a safe place.
  • Never reveal your PIN to anyone in person or over the telephone for any reason, even if the individual represents themselves as a bank employee.
  • If an ATM must be used at night, try to select one in a well lighted area or have another person accompany you.
 
 

Limited Liability for Consumer Accounts

Consumer (Retail) customers are provided certain protections under Regulation E. You should tell us at once if you believe your card and/or code has been lost or stolen, or if you believe that an electronic fund transfer has been made without your permission using information from your check. Telephoning is the best way of keeping your possible losses down. You could lose all the money in your account. If you tell us within 2 business days after you learn of the loss or theft of your card and/or code, you can lose no more than $50 if someone used your card and/or code without your permission. Also, if you do NOT tell us within 2 business days after you learn of the loss or theft of your card and/or code, and we can prove we could have stopped someone from using your card and/or code without your permission if you had told us, you could lose as much as $500. Also, if your statement shows transfers that you did not make, including those made by card, code or other means, tell us at once. If you do not tell us within 60 days after the statement was mailed to you, you may not get back any money you lost after the 60 days if we can prove that we could have stopped someone from taking the money if you had told us in time. If a good reason (such as a long trip or a hospital stay) kept you from telling us, we will extend the time period.