General Precautions

	Carry only necessary information with you. Leave items such as your Social Security card at home. Keep photocopies of vital information and store them in a secure place, such as a home safe or a safety deposit box.
	Never provide your Social Security Number (SSN) unless you determine it is necessary. If you 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 eBanking or Cathay eCashManagement, you can reduce paper statements by signing up for Bill Pay.
	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 your credit report. At least yearly request a copy of your credit report and review it for erroneous and/or fraudulent information or inaccuracies. You can request free credit report once a year from each of the three major credit bureaus at www.annualcreditreport.com. You may also obtain a copy from the credit bureaus directly. Note that there may be a small fee associated: Equifax: 1-800-685-1111 or www.equifax.com Experian: 1-888-397-3742 or www.experian.com TransUnion: 1-800-916-8800 or www.transunion.com
	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 the National Consumer Reporting Agency at www.ncrainc.org.
	Remove your name from marketing lists. When you remove your name from marketing lists, the Direct Marketing Association (DMA) notifies its members that they must remove your name from the lists they sell. Your name and address remain in the DMA’s consumer exclusion files for five years. Contact the DMA at www.dmaconsumers.org.

Online and Computer Security Tips

	Protect and memorize your passwords. Never write your password down or share them with anyone. Change passwords regularly and use combinations of letters, numbers, and "special characters" such as the #, @, ), ? signs. Do not use your Social Security Number or birthday as a username or password. Never use your username as a password.
	Keep your computer operating system up to date. If your computer is older than five years, its operating system may not offer the same level of protection as newer systems. System manufacturers provide frequent updates to help make your system more secure - check their websites. The two main manufacturers are Microsoft and Apple; you may contact them at: Microsoft® – http://www.microsoft.com/security/ or Apple Computer® – http://info.apple.com/.
	Use a current web browser. Cathay Bank continually upgrades our online services to provide you with the most secure online services. We do not allow access to Cathay eBanking or Cathay eCashManagement using browsers that do not meet our security criteria. If you have problems accessing our online banking services, you may need to upgrade you browser.
	Install a personal firewall. Firewalls provide additional protection for you home computer. Many operating systems come with firewall protection. Before purchasing a firewall, check your operating system.
	Antivirus Software. Virus protection software helps reduce the risk of contracting computer viruses that can compromise your computer and personal security while online.
	Use secure websites for transactions and shopping. Make sure the web page you are viewing offers encryption of your data. If you see a lock symbol in the lower right-hand corner of your browser window, or if the web address of the page you are viewing begins with https://, this indicates that web page is secure and uses encryption. Cathay Bank provides 128-bit encryption, the highest level available today.
	Do not download programs from unknown sources. Sometimes hidden programs or viruses are contained on downloaded programs which can compromise your computer. Use caution when downloading from an unfamiliar site.
	Terminate the Internet when not in use. Take an additional precaution by terminating your internet session when not in use. This will help to avoid unwanted access to your computer and its data.

ATM Card Security Tips

	Before you approach the ATM, have your ATM card out and ready to use.
	Use care when inputting your Personal Identification Number (PIN) to prevent someone from looking over your shoulder.
	Know your surroundings. If anything looks suspicious when you are the ATM, come back later or use another ATM.
	Some ATMs are in enclosed areas. Before entering an enclosed ATM vestibule, look around before entering and never hold the door for someone else.
	Whenever possible, have someone accompany you when you use at an ATM at night.
	Keep your car doors locked if using a drive-up ATM.
	Do not count your cash at the ATM. Count it later when in a secure place.
	Take your receipts with you.
	Never allow a stranger to assist you with using an ATM.
	Do not use your name, your birth date, phone number, or address, etc when selecting a PIN.
	Don't write your PIN down anywhere and never share it with anyone.
	Review your account statements on a regular basis. You may also sign on to Cathy eBanking and Cathay eCashManagement to verify transactions. Notify Cathay Bank immediately if you determine there are discrepancies.
	Never provide your card information over the phone unless you initiated the call.
	When you receive a replacement card, destroy your old card.
	If you forget your PIN or would like to select a new one, please visit your nearest Cathay Bank Branch.
	Always keep your card in a safe place, as you would cash, checks, or credit cards.
	Contact Cathay Bank immediately: At 1-626-582-7385 during business hours Monday thru Friday 8:30 AM to 5:30 PM PST if you suspect unauthorized use or to report your lost or stolen card At 1-800-754-4128 to "hot card" your lost or stolen card i.e. to immediately cancel the card; message is also given to merchants that the card has been lost or stolen

Credit Card and Bank Account Precautions

	Report lost or stolen cards and checks immediately.
	Review account statements carefully. By regularly checking your balances and other account activity you can more quickly detect and stop fraudulent activity. With Cathay eBanking and Cathay eCashManagement you can monitor your account activity online any time and as often as you like.
	Never use your Social Security number as your username to sign on to your online accounts. Cathay Bank online banking requires that you select your own, unique, personal username to sign. This helps reduce the possibility of identity theft and/or fraudulent activity.
	Ask about suspicious activity. Contact Cathay Bank or your credit card provider if you have questionable activity on your account.
	Cancel and cut up unused or expired credit, ATM, debit cards, etc. If you have an open account that you no longer use, call the creditor to cancel it and cut up the card before throwing it out. Follow the same procedure for unused or expired cards of all types.
	Keep your ATM password secure. Do not use obvious or easily obtainable information (such as your birth date) for your password. Never share your password and avoid writing it down.
	Be aware of your surroundings and exercise caution when using an ATM. Refer to Cathay Bank’s ATM Security Tips for more information.
	Limit personal information on checks. Do not have your driver’s license number or Social Security number printed on your checks.
	Do not use your full name on checks. Use the initial for your first and middle name.
	Store new and cancelled checks and statement securely. Store new and cancelled checks and statement in a secure location such as a home safe.
	Use tamper-resistant checks. Cathay Bank checks include many safety features to deter alterations.