Know Your Credit Report

Not many days go by anymore without hearing about a data breach of some sort. Most recently, the IRS announced they were breached and over 100,000 taxpayers had their data exposed.  With technology becoming more ingrained into our daily lives, these data breaches are unfortunately something that we are going to have learn to live with in order to enjoy the conveniences we have today.

The best way to protect yourself and your identity is to monitor your account information and get a credit report annually.  First, make sure you review your bank and credit card information on a regular basis.  Each financial institution has a grace period for you to report any suspicious activity before you may become liable for it yourself.  By looking at your statements on a weekly or monthly basis, you'll be able to identify potentially fraudulent transactions, and eliminate the hassle of having to try and repair your credit history.

One additional step every consumer needs to take is to review their credit report.  The Federal Government mandates that each Credit Reporting Agency provide consumers with a Free report every 12 months.  One suggestion is to obtain a report every four months from one of the 3 credit reporting agencies.  Complete details on how to get your report is available on www.annualcreditreport.com.

Technology Can Help, But You Need To Stay active in protecting your personal information

It seems like every week, a major retailer is announcing a breach of their data security system, creating a sense of insecurity for millions of their customers.  This trend is not something that is going to end soon either, making it imperative for each individual to safeguard their personal information, and monitor all of their financial accounts.  Technology has provided with us the incredible convenience of paying for things using a credit card and the Internet.  And while we enjoy coming home to a package on our porch instead of battling the crowds in stores during the holiday season, consumers can not ignore the risk that goes along with providing personal information to anyone, whether it is online or in person.

Thankfully, there are things that consumers can do to help protect themselves.  The most basic and easiest is to monitor your account activity.  If you see something suspicious, call your Bank or Credit Card provider immediately.  Waiting too long can result in a significant loss on your end, and it could result in a hit on your credit rating. 

Technology will also be a big help in battling identity theft, with innovations like Apple Pay and more secure credit cards leading the way.  It will be most interesting to see the impact Apple Pay will have on the consumer.  This technology, available on the iPhone 6, will allow the user to register their card information with the Apple Pay service, and instead of using their card they will simply wave their phone to make purchases at retail locations.  Why is this safer?  Because for each use, a new card number is assigned to the user, and that number can never be used again.  Should there be a security breach, the consumer’s data is safer since the hacker will not be able to use the card number due to it constantly changing.

Of course, as much new technology will help, hackers will employ their own technological innovations to try and catch up. So it really comes down to the old principal of being careful who you provide your information too, and closely monitoring your account information. Remember, you are entitled to a free credit report each year, so make sure you take advantage of this by visiting https://www.annualcreditreport.com/index.action.

Member FDIC.

What to do if you Suspect ID Theft

Banks are national leaders in preserving the security of customer data, with the industry as a whole dedicating hundreds of millions of dollars annually to data security.  Even with all this being done, retailers are still susceptible to cyber-attacks, and it’s in your best interest to keep an eye on your account information regularly. 

If you suspect that your identity has been stolen, there are some basic steps you should take:

• Call your bank and credit card issuers immediately so they can start working on closing your accounts and clearing your name.

• File a police report and call the fraud unit of three credit-reporting companies.   The fraud unit numbers are:

• TransUnion - 800.680.7289

• Experian - 888.397.3742

• Equifax - 800.525.6285

• Consider placing a victim statement in your credit report.

• Make sure to maintain a log of all the contacts you make with authorities regarding the matter. Write down names, titles, and phone numbers in case you need to re-contact them or refer to them in future correspondence.

• For more advice, contact the FTC’s ID Theft Consumer Response Center at 1-877-ID THEFT (1-877-438-4338) or www.ftc.gov/idtheft.

By acting quickly on a suspicion of fraud, you’ll have a better chance of avoiding a potential loss in your account, and ensuring your credit report is not negatively impacted.

Member FDIC. 

Protect Your Identity, Protect Your Money

Identity theft is one of the fastest growing crimes in the United States. Last year alone, 12.6 million people – or 1 out of every 20 consumers – were victims of identity fraud. Keeping your information safe is vital in our technology driven society, and there are certain steps that you can take to help keep your identity, and your money, safe. 

Don’t share your secrets. 
Don’t provide your Social Security number or account information to anyone who contacts you online or over the phone. Protect your PINs and passwords and do not share them with anyone. Use a combination of letters and numbers for your passwords and change them periodically. Do not reveal sensitive or personal information on social networking sites.

Shred sensitive papers. 
Shred receipts, banks statements and unused credit card offers before throwing them away.

Monitor your credit report.
Order a free copy of your credit report every four months from one of the three credit reporting agencies at annualcreditreport.com.

Protect your computer.
Make sure the virus protection software on your computer is active and up to date. When conducting business online, make sure your browser’s padlock or key icon is active. Also look for an “s” after the “http” to be sure the website is secure.

Protect your mobile device. Use the passcode lock on your smartphone and other devices. This will make it more difficult for thieves to access your information if your device is lost or stolen. Before you donate, sell or trade your mobile device, be sure to wipe it using specialized software or using the manufacturer’s recommended technique. Some software allows you to wipe your device remotely if it is lost or stolen.

Following these tips will give you more security in knowing that your information is safe and secure.  Be safe and take care of your personal information. 

Tips For Buying Your New Home

Spring is traditionally the time of year when families looking to buy a new home start the process.  It’s an exciting time, yet many homeowners get frustrated with the process as it can be a bit tedious.  So to help you navigate your way through buying your dream home, Magyar Bank will be posting helpful tips throughout the month on our Facebook and Google+ pages.  Our topics will include keeping an eye on your credit score, making sure you have enough for a down payment, and what type of documents you will need to include as part of your loan application.

Doing your homework before you contact a Realtor can speed the process up as well.  Take a look at your credit report and make sure there is no fraudulent activity before you start home shopping and apply for a mortgage.  You can obtain a free credit report as required by Federal Law at www.annualcreditreport.com. 

One question many people ask is whether they should rent or buy.  While there are a number of factors involved in making this decision, one key element to consider is how long you will stay in the home.  Generally, the longer you plan to live somewhere, the more it makes sense to buy.  Over time, you can build equity in your home.  Of course, renters have more flexibility to move so it’s important to review your current situation and think about how long you’ll want to stay in your new home.

Most of all, try to make the process enjoyable.  Moving can be stressful, but once all the boxes are unpacked and the walls are the colors you want, there is really no place like home.

Magyar Bank Launches New Blog

Welcome to Magyar Bank’s blog!  

As a community bank, we’re committed to maintaining an open line of communication with our customers, and in today’s high-tech world, a blog is just one of the many ways we can keep you informed of community events Magyar Bank is involved in, and provide expertise on various financial topics.

Our new blog is part of a revamped social media program that Magyar is embarking on that includes a revamped Facebook page and new channels on Google+, LinkedIn and YouTube.  

These sites have been a great tool for us to showcase our community involvement, and communicate special events and messages quickly to our customers.  Just this past winter, our Facebook page became an integral part of our communication program to let customers know about early closings or delayed openings that resulted from the numerous snow storms we had to deal with.

If you have not found us yet, be sure to like us on Facebook, follow us on LinkedIn and Google+, and check out our YouTube channel which features our video on Magyar Bank’s recent “Outstanding” rating from the FDIC for community service.

While technology will change the ways we communicate over time, one thing it will never change is the one on one attention you get from Magyar Bank.  We value your relationship; whether you stop in a branch, call on the phone, send us an email or follow us on social media, you will receive the personalized service you expect from Magyar Bank.  It’s what makes Magyar Bank simply MAGnificent.