FRAUD, PREVENTION, & SECURITY

The security of your accounts and personal information is a number one priority for us. We'd like to partner with you to keep them safe. Please take a few minutes to browse this site for information on security and protection of your accounts and identity.

Report A Lost/Stolen Credit or Debit Card

If your credit or debit card has been lost or stolen, you need to immediately call one of the following telephone numbers that best describes your card type:

Debit Card lost/stolen - 1.800.236.2442
Credit Card lost/stolen - 1.800.325.3678

Fraud Alert

  • Email Phishing Scam

    Please be aware that we have identified yet another phishing scam using the Cowlitz Bank name. This most recent email scam uses the actual phishing scam Fraud Alert we published last week and asks recipients to click on a “secure link below to check your online banking access” – DO NOT RESPOND TO THIS REQUEST IN ANY WAY.

    If you have responded to this scam email, please contact us immediately at 800.340.8865. An authorized Bank Representative will assist you with the necessary steps to insure that your Internet Banking log-in information is secure.

    As a policy, Cowlitz Bank will never request that customers update their confidential account information thru email.

    July 1, 2009

  • Email Phishing Scam

    Please be advised that there is an email circulating with our Cowlitz Bank logo titled “Update Your Information”. This is a phishing scam – DO NOT RESPOND to this email in any way and do not click on the link that shows as part of it. In the event you have responded, you should contact us immediately at 1-800-340-8865 so that we can take appropriate action to insure the security of your account information.

    As a policy, Cowlitz Bank will never request that customers update their confidential information through email.

    June 24, 2009

  • Telephone scam asking for personal information.

    Some customers have received phone calls stating there has been a security breach affecting your (debit/credit) card and asks you to enter personal information, including your card number and PIN. These are fraudulent phone calls - do not give them this information! Call your local branch and the police if you receive one of these phone calls.

Report Fraud

If you have received a phishing email regarding your Cowlitz Bank or Bay Bank account, please forward the email to fraud@cowlitzbank.com.

If you feel you have responded to a fraudulent email or website with personal information about your accounts with Cowlitz or Bay Bank, contact your nearest branch immediately.

If you receive a phishing email regarding another bank, report it to the relevant institution.

If you feel you are a victim of identity theft, report it to your local police, and then complete the Federal Trade Commission's complaint form

To report Social Security number fraud, call the Administration’s Fraud Hotline: 800-269-0271

Identity Theft

What is "identity theft"?
The use of another person’s personal identifying information to commit fraud. Examples of fraudulent activity include opening accounts, using credit cards, or writing checks under someone else's name.

This article does a good job describing identity theft, how it happens, and steps to take if it occurs. Federal Trade Commission article

Fortunately, there are things you can do to help prevent a thief from getting your personal information. Here are some easy tips:

  • Be aware of the dates your account statements normally arrive, and report any missing or stolen ones
  • Monitor your bank and credit card accounts and report any unauthorized activity immediately
  • Shred all documents and mail containing personal information before discarding
  • Review your credit report at least annually
  • Be alert for signs of identity theft if your house or car has been burglarized
  • Do not give out personal information on the phone or in email – especially if the contact was not initiated by you Remember – your bank will never ask you for personal information such as your account number or social security number in an email or over the phone. When in doubt – call your branch
  • Use safe computing practices

Here is a list of critical information you should protect:

  • Social security number
  • Date of birth
  • Credit card and debit card numbers
  • Bank account number
  • Passwords and PIN numbers
Click this button to view an informative presentation on Identity Theft Protection.
It only takes three minutes and could save you a lot of time and trouble!

If you feel you have been a victim of identity theft, report it to your local police and the Federal Trade Commission (FTC). Click here to report it to the FTC: Federal Trade Commission complaint form

The Federal Trade Commission maintains a website with up-to-date information on identity theft, including steps to take if you suspect your identity has been stolen.

Federal Trade Commission identity theft information

The Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) has developed an informative tool to help you learn more about protecting yourself from identity theft. This presentation is complete with resources to use if you do become a victim. FDIC – Don’t be a victim

Email and Internet

What is "phishing"?
Phishing emails pretend to be from a trusted company and try to trick you into giving them your personal information. The emails include a link to a fraudulent website that records the information you enter.

How to protect yourself from email scams:

  • Never click on a link in an email message or on a third-party website where you will have to type in personal information
  • Remember – your bank or credit card company will never send you an email asking for personal information or a link to log into your account

Red flags that alert you that an email may be fake (phishing):

  • The email may not be addressed to you by name. A bank or other legitimate business will usually insert your name into the email rather than addressing it to "Dear Customer"
  • Place your mouse over the link provided and wait for the information to pop up. If the URL in the pop up (link address) is different from that in the body of the email, don’t click on it!
  • There is usually urgency about the request such as, "if you don't reply within 2 days, your account will be closed"
  • The email asks for personal information such as an account number, PIN number, or password

When in doubt, contact the company by phone and confirm the legitimacy of the email request. Find out more information about Phishing from Antiphishing.org

Online loan scams start with a legitimate looking website. You apply for a loan, and then receive a response asking you to wire some money for a loan fee. The loan never materializes.

Red flag

  • A loan fee is required to be paid in advance. Banking regulations prohibit a lender from requiring a fee before a loan is obtained

Other Fraud Schemes

Remember – there are many variations of the different scams, and new ones coming out all the time. Some tips to help you protect yourself:

  • More important than ever – if it seems too good to be true, it probably is
  • Education will give you the power to say no to the scammers and yes to legitimate business!
  • Be wary if the contact seems to be random

Foreign Lottery Scams announce you won a lottery that you never entered. The letter often is accompanied by an "advance" check to help pay "taxes" or other "fees". The check is counterfeit.

Red flags

  • a check accompanies the letter
  • an urgent message or short time-limit in the letter
  • a request for "discretion" or secrecy

Foreign Dignitary scams beg your help in getting family members or money out of an oppressive situation in a foreign country. They claim you will receive a substantial amount of money for helping them.

Red flags

  • someone is being held in prison by a government
  • you have no connection to the person asking you for help or to the country he pretends to be from

Card skimming can happen with debit or credit cards. A device is set up on the ATM or gas pump to capture magnetic stripe and keypad information. Be wary of ATM’s or gas pumps that look like there’s an "add-on" to the front. Contact the owner of the ATM or gas pump if it looks suspicious and go to another machine. A similar (portable) device can be used at locations where you use your credit card, so be alert to where your card is at all times.

Red flags

  • the ATM captures your card or gives you an error (contact the owner of the ATM)
  • someone is standing close enough to look over your shoulder
  • changes to the front of the ATM

Safe Computing Practices

When trying to protect your personal information, it’s helpful to know how criminals can get their hands on that information. Here are some of the more common places:

  • In the garbage
  • Overhearing conversations or transactions where you shop
  • Looking over your shoulder while entering PIN numbers
  • Phishing emails
  • Computer viruses and trojans
  • Online transactions

Create strong passwords. Passwords that are names, dates, or words found in dictionaries can be easily guessed by people or discovered by software programs. To help prevent someone from finding out your password, consider the following tips:

  • Use a combination of letters, numbers, and other characters
  • Use a different password for each application
  • Change your passwords often
  • Don’t write them down or share them with anyone

Log off when finished using a secure website to prevent the next person that’s using the computer from accessing your accounts.

Avoid using public computers when accessing sensitive information. Their purpose is convenience, and they may not be set up with the amount of security you would like when accessing your bank accounts online. In addition, many of them use wireless connections, which can be intercepted if not set up properly.

Upgrade your computer software with the latest patches to help avoid hackers from taking advantage of known weaknesses.

Anti-virus software will help protect your computer from viruses, worms, and trojans. It is important to keep the software current with the latest updates since new threats are found every day.

Firewalls block outside attackers from gaining access to your computer and taking it over or planting malicious software (malware).

Encryption is used by websites to protect data that is transmitted over the internet. A closed lock is used to demonstrate a site’s use of encryption. Some sites also use a symbol that shows they have gone through a certification process. The use of the certificate shows users that their transaction is secure and the site is authentic. Click on the certificate to verify its authenticity. Always make sure the certificate has not expired and it is registered to the owner of the site you are visiting.