Fraud Protection

Identity theft is a serious concern for credit card users, but with First Bankcard® fraud monitoring, you enjoy unparalleled protection. The built-in protections of your card keep your identity safe in a variety of ways.

First Bankcard® has a variety of protections for your account

  • Fraud Monitoring
    We monitor your account 24/7/365, and if we suspect fraudulent activity on your credit card, we notify you immediately.
  • Zero Liability
    With Visa* and MasterCard's** Zero Liability program, you are not liable for unauthorized transactions.

Signs That You May Be a Victim of Identity Theft:

  • An expected credit card hasn't arrived in the mail
  • You hear from credit collectors about debts you don't know about
  • There are unauthorized purchases on your billing statements

Actions You Should Take Immediately

  • File a complaint with the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) at 877-ID-THEFT (877-438-4338) or www.consumer.gov/idtheft. The FTC maintains a database of identity theft cases used by law enforcement agencies for investigations.
  • Contact the fraud department of the three major credit bureaus to place a fraud alert on your credit file. This alert will request that creditors contact you before opening any new accounts under your name. Once the credit bureau confirms your alert, all three will send you a credit report free of charge. The alert will remain on your account from 90-180 days.
    www.equifax.com
    www.experian.com
    www.transunion.com
  • File a police report. Get a copy of this report so that you can dispute unauthorized charges and use for any insurance claims.
  • Close any accounts that may have been compromised or opened fraudulently. This list of accounts may include: bank accounts, credit cards, retail cards, phone companies, utilities, and other service providers. Dispute any unauthorized charges. The FTC website provides many helpful resources, including a sample dispute letter and a form affidavit which can be used if a sworn statement is needed by any creditors.

How To Protect Yourself In The Future

  • Travel Lightly
    • Minimize your risk for identity theft; do not carry more than you need in your purse or wallet
  • Request Credit Reports Annually
    • Make sure no accounts have been opened without your permission
    • Close any accounts that you no longer use
  • Be Cautious with Personal Information
    • Do not give personal information over the telephone if you do not know the caller
    • Keep your Social Security number private
  • Protect Your Identity Online
  • Make certain that websites are secure and protect your data from identity theft
  • Look for sites that use "Secure Socket Layer" (SSL) technology to encrypt information - you can check for security by looking for a small lock symbol in the lower corner of your web browser window
  • Look for sites whose addresses begin with https:// - the "s" means the connection is secure

*Visa's Zero Liability policy covers U.S. issued cards only and does not apply to PIN transactions not processed by Visa or certain commercial card transactions. Cardholder must notify issuer promptly of any unauthorized use. Consult issuer for additional details or visit www.visa.com/security

**Zero Liability does not apply to MasterCard-branded cards issued: to an entity other than a natural person; primarily for business, commercial, or agricultural purposes; outside of the U.S. region; or if a PIN is used as the cardholder verification method for the unauthorized transaction(s).