1st Quarter, 2023
DECLUT TERING YOUR FINANCIAL LIFE
by
T O D D S . A DA M S chief executive officer
I
t ’s n o w o n d e r t h a t decluttering is a common resolution that people make at the beginning of the year. Whether it’s physical or digital, clutter can be overwhelming. In some cases, it can compromise the security of your personal information and leave you more vulnerable to identity theft. One of our resolutions here at the bank this year is to help you be proactive about reducing unsolicited offers through phone calls, texts, email spam and junk mail. It’s part of our ongoing effort to aid you in keeping your financial information safer.
CHECK THE SE WEB SITE S FOR WAYS TO OPT OUT
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www.OptOutPrescreen.com: Under the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA), you may opt out from receiving unsolicited offers for five years through the website, or permanently by mailing a form available through the website.
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www.fcc.gov/consumers/guides/ stop-unwanted-robocalls-and-texts: The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) offers many tips for reducing the volume of unwanted offers that come through your phone, especially illegal and spoofed robocalls.
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www. donotcall.gov: The Federal Trade Commission’s (FTC) Do Not Call registry gives you a choice about whether to receive telemarketing calls.
How do your inbox, mailbox, and phone get so clogged up with solicitations in the first place? The bank will never pass on your personal information, but other companies do. For example, when your credit is checked by the major consumer credit reporting companies (Equifax, Experian, Innovis, and TransUnion), they are allowed to sell your information to companies for preapproved offers of credit or insurance. However, you can choose
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to opt out of receiving these unsolicited offers. Using the opt-out services won’t eliminate all unwanted solicitations. Not every type of organization must abide by the FCRA, and some of the companies who send these offers aren’t noted for following the rules. However, there are many benefits to reducing the sheer volume of messages: Fraudulent offers will be • easier to detect. Your information will be • stored on fewer lists that have the potential to be hacked or stolen. Lists that are shared among agencies or companies are especially vulnerable to data breaches.
Less junk mail makes it harder for thieves to obtain personal information about you and your family to try to open new credit accounts.
Resolve today to declutter your financial life for a simpler, safer and less stressful future. Don’t delay, get started today.
QUICK TIP: If you have one of our Smart Checking Accounts, powered by BaZing, you automatically get several ID theft protection services, including ID monitoring, payment card protection, and personal ID protection. Talk to your branch for assistance or to learn more.
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