Identity Theft

What Is Identity Theft?

Identity theft occurs when someone steals your personal information to take over your credit accounts, open new ones, take out a loan, rent an apartment, access bank accounts, or commit many other crimes at your expense. When it strikes, the effects can be devastating. Because it frequently involves no physical theft, identity theft may not be noticed by its victims until significant damage has been done -- often, several months and/or thousands of dollars later.

How Does Someone Steal an Identity?

Identity thieves steal personal information from outside mailboxes and dumpsters, through telemarketing scams, computer hacking and paying workers in retail establishments or other institutions to copy down information about customers.

Another way identity thieves try to access your personal information is through Phishing. These are high-tech thieves who use fraudulent emails to trick you into giving them your personal or financial information.

Protecting Against Identity Theft

Protection of your personal information and increased consumer awareness are the primary defenses against identity theft. Confidentiality is a fundamental principal at NexTier Bank and we are dedicated to handling customers’ personal information in a secure and confidential manner.

NexTier Bank would never ask you to send your Social Security number, account number, password or PIN to them by email.