Never provide your Social Security Number (SSN) unless you determine it is necessary. If you are asked to provide your SSN for any service, confirm that it is really needed or ask if you can provide another piece of identifying information.
Discontinue paper statements. Receiving online statements will help prevent identity theft. The less personal information you receive through the mail, the less chance there is for identity theft or fraudulent activity against you.
If you have online banking access with Cathay Online Banking or Business Online Banking, you can reduce paper statements by enrolling in Cathay Bank's eStatement service.
Do not provide your account number or other sensitive personal information in an e-mail to us. E-mail is not secure.
Shred documents containing personal or financial information before discarding. Most fraud and identity theft incidences happen as a result of mail and garbage theft also known as "dumpster diving".
Review account statements carefully upon receipt. Regular account review helps to quickly detect and stop fraudulent activity. Ask about suspicious charges. Contact the Bank if you do not receive your statement when you normally do.
Limit the amount of information on checks. Don’t print your driver’s license number or Social Security number on your checks.
Use tamper-resistant checks. Cathay Bank checks include many safety features such as tamper-resistant packaging and chemically sensitive paper to deter alterations.
Limit the credit offers you receive. Contact the National Consumer Credit Reporting Agencies at 1-888-5-OPTOUT (1-888-567-8688) to limit the credit offers you receive; this will also limit the information companies share about you.
Contact other creditors – card, phone companies, banks and other lenders. Follow up phone conversations with a letter. Close any accounts that have been breached and re-open them with new account numbers and passwords.
File a report with local police. Report lost, missing or stolen checks immediately.
