This official guide explains how to protect your financial and personal information online from identity theft and fraud.
Bank Identity Theft Protection & Financial Security
At Peoples Bank of Alabama, protecting your personal information is paramount. Our local bankers and associates strive to ensure a smooth, convenient banking experience while taking the necessary precautions to protect your personal information.
This page shares how we protect you through digital banking security and provides methods you can employ to protect yourself. From modern fraud prevention tools to hands-on education, we're here to help you stay protected in today's digital world.
Our Commitment to Securing Your Personal Information
As your financial institution, Peoples Bank of Alabama will never request personal, confidential customer information (e.g., account numbers, passwords, personal identification numbers, etc.) by email, telephone, text message, or any other method.
If you contact Peoples Bank of Alabama, we may authenticate you through a combination of methods. Still, we will never contact you and ask for your debit card number or your whole Social Security number. If one of our local bankers or associates does need to contact you, it will always occur in a way that protects your personal information and financial accounts.
We always work with the local regulatory and law enforcement departments to stop any illegal activity as soon as possible. We use multi-layer security to protect your confidential information. Rest assured, we'll continue taking appropriate security measures to keep your bank account and money safe.
Set Up Almost Instant Mobile Device Alerts & Notifications
Fraudsters work fast. One of the best ways to stay ahead and prevent their harmful activity is to set up account alerts through your mobile and online banking. You can sign up to get notifications by email, text, and push alerts to keep an eye on your money. Whether you're checking your phone over coffee or on the go, you'll know immediately if something looks suspicious.
With push notifications, you don't even have to sign in; your phone gives you a heads-up almost instantly when there's activity on your account. It's peace of mind right in your pocket.
Stay Safe Using Person-to-Person Payment Apps
Person-to-person (P2P) payment apps make sending money to friends and family incredibly easy, but that convenience can come with risks. Now more than ever, people use P2P services to make financial transactions quickly, and as they do, scammers are getting smarter with their tactics for accessing your hard-earned money.
Here are some red flags to look out for:
Someone is urgently claiming there's an issue with your bank account.
Messages pressuring you to act fast and follow their exact instructions.
Emails or other written communication full of spelling or grammar mistakes.
Take the following precautions to stay safe:
Don't interact with numbers from suspicious texts, emails, or voicemails, as they're most likely from fraudsters with ill intentions.
Instead, look up Peoples Bank of Alabama's phone number yourself and call us directly.
We will never ask you for your PIN, security code, or login credentials. If someone does, hang up.
Always keep your personal information private across all platforms, not just P2P apps.
To securely access your account, turn on multi-factor authentication and enable facial recognition or Touch ID, if available.
If you believe you got scammed, your first move should be reporting it to the P2P provider, then take it to the Federal Trade Commission. The more information they have, the better their chances of tracking down and stopping scammers.
Spot and Avoid Scams
Scams constantly evolve and are designed to catch you off guard. Whether it's charity scams, money transfer scams, phone scams, prize or sweepstakes scams, or debt relief scams, the scammer's goal is to get you to hand over money or personal information, no questions asked.
Whatever the type of scam, fraudsters want to catch you off guard and then rely on urgency, secrecy, and sometimes desperation to get you to obey their instructions.
But here's the good news: the more you know, the harder it is for scammers to succeed.
Let's say you meet someone online who seems genuine and charming. However, there's just one problem: you can never get your online sweetheart to meet you in person. They might say they’re living or traveling outside the country, in the military, or working internationally.
Then, once they gain your trust, they’ll ask for your help to pay medical bills for them or a family member, pay for their transportation to visit you, finance their visa, help them pay fees to get out of trouble, or even invest in cryptocurrency. If you feel pressured to act fast, stop communicating and don't send them any money. Online romance fraud is a common scam tactic.
Don’t trust that direct message or unexpected text from a stranger. The first signs of this type of scam often include unexpected messages—such as DMs on social media or texts on a messaging app, like WhatsApp or WeChat—from someone you don't know, but they seem friendly and interested in getting to know you. They might provide an unusual explanation for contacting you, like they came across your name in their contacts list. They may also have online profiles with posts of fake-but-realistic-looking photos intended to pique your interest.
Over days or weeks, they build trust and a rapport with you, then try to pitch you on a fantastic investment opportunity. According to them, the only catch is that you must act quickly and unquestioningly trust them.
No matter how trustworthy someone you meet online seems, you shouldn’t make investment decisions based on unsolicited contact from someone through an app or text message. Remember, if the investment sounds too good to be true, there is a high risk of fraud.
Scammers know that remote work is all the rage right now. Many people would like to work from the comfort of their own home and earn a lot of money. So scammers will post fake job ads promising thousands for little to no effort from you. However, instead of making money, you end up paying for various useless items.
You may also get caught up in a fake check scam. When this happens, you may get a check from your new employer, who asks you to return some of the money because they “overpaid” you. Next thing you know, the check bounces, but the bank requires you to pay back the full amount. Meanwhile, the scammers keep the real money you sent them.
Beware of anyone who offers you a job claiming that you can make a lot of money in a short period of time with minimal work.
Money mules are people who receive and move money obtained from victims of fraud. They may do this by approaching you online, calling you, sending you funds, or asking you to send some or all of it to someone else. They may even offer to pay you for your trouble, but you should never agree to this kind of arrangement. You could be participating in a money mule scheme. Criminals often use unsuspecting people to move stolen money to make it harder for the authorities to trace.
Never use your bank account to send or receive money on behalf of someone else. It's not just risky; it could be illegal.
Tips to Protect Your Financial Security
Never send money back after receiving a check, cashier's check, or electronic funds transfer from someone you don't know.
Be skeptical of anyone who insists you keep things secret or make a rushed decision.
After disasters, only donate to charities you reach out to; don't trust cold calls or random links.
You likely didn't win a sweepstakes or prize drawing if you didn't enter one.
A legitimate debt relief company will never ask you for an upfront payment. If they do, walk away.
For more tips and up-to-date scam alerts, visit the FTC's Scams page. Staying knowledgeable and current on potential fraud risks and the most effective available prevention methods is one of the best ways to protect your identity, accounts, and peace of mind.
Protect Your Devices from Malware
Short for “malicious software,” malware is designed to gain access to your private information or damage your computer, often without you even realizing it.
Most malware attacks happen when someone unknowingly clicks a shady link or opens an attachment from an unknown source. But it's not just your computer at risk anymore; your mobile device, tablet, or even smart TV could be vulnerable too.
Here's how to protect yourself across all your devices:
Your phone holds plenty of personal information, so it’s important to lock it down. Always set a passcode or use built-in features like facial recognition or Touch ID to keep others from accessing your apps, emails, and texts if your device ends up in the wrong hands.
When installing apps, stick to the official app store that comes with your phone. Downloading from random websites or links can expose your device to serious risks.
It’s also smart to turn on features that let you locate or remotely erase your phone—just in case it gets lost or stolen.
Using public Wi-Fi to shop online or check your bank account might seem convenient, but it’s not always secure. If you need to make a transaction containing sensitive information, such as a debit, credit card number, or SSN, ensure you’re on a trusted, private connection.
And don’t ignore those update reminders—system updates often fix security holes that malware could otherwise exploit. A quick update now could save you a big headache later.
Check your firewall settings. Go to your control panel, type "firewall," and ensure it's turned on.
Back up your data. A backup can protect you in case of a system crash, power surge, or ransomware attack that encrypts your files.
Stick to secure websites. When entering personal data, look for a green padlock and "https://" in the URL. Avoid websites that promise unbelievable deals; they might take your information and vanish.
Be careful what you share. Even revealing your pet's name or mother's maiden name on social media can lead to identity theft, as those are often the answers to security questions used across multiple sites.
Watch your inbox. Never click on links or open attachments from suspicious emails, even if they seem to come from someone you know. A hacked contact's email could also carry malware.
Routinely check in on your operating system and security software, ensuring it is up-to-date with the latest versions.
Use strong, unique passwords and log out after financial transactions or online shopping.
Never plug in a random USB drive. Malware can hide in external devices and infect your system once connected to your device.
Malware is constantly evolving, but so are the tools to fight it. Staying alert, using security features, and thinking twice before clicking can go a long way. Learn more about how to protect yourself at the FTC's Malware page.
Recognize and Avoid Phishing Scams and Online Fraud
Phishing is an attempt to fraudulently acquire sensitive information like passwords and account details by impersonating a trustworthy person or business through official electronic communications (e.g., emails or instant messages).
Don’t click on links from or answer any communications requesting personal, confidential information. We never request login info or PIN via email or text.
Visit the FTC’s Identity Theft and Online Security page here to learn more.
Stay Safe at the ATM & with Your Debit Card
To mitigate security risks, always cover your PIN input, check for tampered card readers, and immediately report suspicious activity when using an ATM.
Use the MyCardRules™ App to protect compromised debit cards instantly. You get almost total control over your debit card with the ability to:
Turn your card on or off
Set transaction spending limits
Get instant alerts
+More
Digital Best Practices
Smart Habits for Digital Banking
Follow these practices when banking online to increase your protection against cyber hackers’ attacks:
Monitor your account activity regularly
Use strong, unique passwords and change them often
Avoid public Wi-Fi when online banking
Turn on two-factor authentication to protect access to your personal information
You should also utilize your phone's built-in security features, such as facial recognition or Touch ID.
How We Protect Your Online Banking
We take your online security and protection very seriously. Our online banking services and operating system utilize industry-leading technology to help protect your personal information and bank accounts.
Secure digital infrastructure
Real-time fraud monitoring and fraud alerts
24/7 card controls via our app
Dedicated fraud department response team
Identity Theft
Identity theft happens when somebody steals your private data, like your name, credit card, or social security numbers, to access your bank accounts, take out loans, open new accounts, or make financial transactions at multiple sites.
Hackers may use data stored on your phone, computer, or even your digital wallet. They can also pull credit reports or use the dark web to impersonate you. Regularly monitoring your credit scores and placing a security freeze with each credit bureau can help you protect your identity.
Lost or Stolen Cards
If your debit or credit card is lost, stolen, or used without your knowledge, acting quickly is key to mitigating the financial damage. Your security is our top priority at Peoples Bank. Contact us immediately and securely access our Report Lost Card page for next steps.
Learn how to prevent unauthorized financial transactions, monitor credit reports, and avoid fraud from unknown sources by visiting the FTC’s Credit and Debt page here.
Elder Abuse
Elder financial abuse often involves scams, suspicious emails, or calls from unknown sources attempting to gain fraudulent access to their credit cards, bank accounts, or other financial assets.
Criminals also exploit seniors by stealing their electronic statements that contain sensitive information. If you suspect financial exploitation, contact the Alabama Department of Human Resources or one of the hotlines below for help. Also, share with your loved ones the kind of suspicious activity to look out for to keep their account information safe.
800-458-7214 (for suspected elder mistreatment in the home and in long-term care facilities)
800-356-9596 (for suspected abuse in nursing home settings)
Pass it On
The FTC's Pass It On campaign encourages individuals to share knowledge about avoiding fraud, monitoring credit scores, and spotting suspicious emails or unknown sources trying to access your personal information.
With articles, videos, presentations, and activities, this initiative helps protect against identity theft, misuse of digital wallets, and numerous scams. Pass it on to anyone you believe may be susceptible to identity theft through their mobile device.
Have you been a victim of fraud? If so, contact Peoples Bank of Alabama Customer Support at 256-737-7000 or visit your nearest branch.