Over $30 billion dollars in credit card fraud takes place annually.  Some who read this have already been a victim of this fraud (or other forms of identity theft).  Some more will be affected by it within the next couple of years.  A few have been victimized, and don't even know it yet.  How can you protect yourself?  There are some simple steps you can take that will greatly reduce your chances of having your good credit damaged or ruined by these thieves.

1. Always keep your credit card in your possession. Many times a credit card is removed from a purse or wallet that has been left unattended for even a few seconds.
2. Never give your credit card number, bank account number, or social security number to anyone, either in person, on the phone, or on-line who asks for it unsolicited. By that we mean if someone contacts you, without you having contacting them first, and requires your credit card or other identification numbers, it very well could be an attempted fraud.
3. Try to make online purchases only from websites that are part of national trust organizations. Sites that display the "TRUSTEe", "BizRate", "Verisign", "BBBOnline" and other well known watchdog logos, and include a link back to the watchdog site where you can verify the claim, are much safer than those who don't.
4. Never, never, never provide the information requested to an email demanding your credit card number, social security number, drivers license number, bank account number or any other piece of personal identification. No legitimate business would contact you via email requesting this information. Remember, information sent via email (unless it is protected by some encryption method originating on your computer) will be sent in plain, open text for anyone to see.
5. Avoid the numerous email scams that promise the return of hundreds, thousands and millions of dollars, in return for a small sum charged to your credit card, or withdrawn from or deposited into your bank account. Rembember, if it sounds too good to be true, it probably is! Legitimate business transactions are almost never initiated by bulk, unsolicited email, often referred to as SPAM.

If you are a Farmers Bank & Savings customer, and ever find yourself a victim of credit card or other type of identity theft, first call your local Farmers Bank office and speak with a customer service representative, and explain what has happened. Then, you can file a report with the Federal Trade Commission and your local law enforcement agency.

Farmers Bank cares about the credit safety of our customers.  Just another reason we're "Your Bank For Life!"