Security

WCB's Commitment to Security

Winchester Co-operative Bank places a high degree of importance on the security of your personal information. We take every precaution to keep your personal information safe and would like to take a moment to share with you things that you can do to manage the safety of your information as well. The following information is designed to raise your awareness about basic security procedures to use with online and everyday financial transactions. Following these simple rules will be very effective in helping to keep your personal information secure. If you have any questions or concerns please contact the Bank at 781-729-3620 for assistance. (Security is not a goal, it is an ongoing process.)

Winchester Co-operative Bank will never ask you for non-public personal information such as your account number, social security number, password or personal identification number (PIN) through an unsolicited email.

Protect Your Identity

Identity theft occurs when your personal information is stolen and used without your knowledge to commit fraud or other crimes. Identity theft can cost you time and money. It can cause major credit problems and require a large amount of time to restore your good name.

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Make these rules part of your everyday financial security awareness:

  • Shred - financial documents and paperwork with personal information before you discard them.
  • Protect - your Social Security number. Don't carry your Social Security card in your wallet or write your Social Security number on a check. Give it out only if absolutely necessary or ask to use another identifier.
  • Don't give out - personal information on the phone, through the mail, or over the Internet unless you know who you are dealing with. If you receive an unsolicited call asking for personal information that you question, call the financial institution back at their published number and ask for the person who called. This way you can be sure of who you are speaking with.
  • Store - new and cancelled checks in a secure location.
  • Keep - your personal information in a secure place at home, especially if you have roommates, employ outside help, or are having work done in your house.
  • Don't - write full account numbers on the memo line of checks. Consider using the last four digits instead.
  • Review - your financial and billing statements on a regular basis and look for charges you did not make.
  • Stay - aware of changes to your credit report. Go to http://www.annualcreditreport.com for your free annual credit report.

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Online Computing Precautions

  • Beware of Phishing - Phishing is the act of sending an email or pop-up advertisement that claims to be from a reputable business source and more than likely a business you currently deal with when in reality it is not from the company it claims to be at all. The email may redirect you to a web site that looks very much like the official company's but is not and will try to mislead you into providing personal information.
  • Spyware - is software installed without your knowledge or consent that adversely affects your ability to use your computer, sometimes by monitoring or controlling how you use it. To avoid spyware, resist the urge to install any software unless you know exactly what it is.
  • Use - anti-virus and anti-spyware software, as well as a firewall on your computer and keep them updated on a regular basis.
  • Don't - send personal information via email unless you know it is encrypted. Regular email is not a secure transmission method.
  • Never click - on links sent in unsolicited emails; instead, manually type in a web address you know. It is too easy for a phisher to fool you by using a redirected link. Legitimate companies don't ask for personal information via unsolicited email.
  • Don't use - an obvious password like your birth date, your mother's maiden name, or the last four digits of your Social Security number. Using at least an eight character password that is made up of letters, numbers and special characters is much more secure.
  • Use care - in opening files attached to an email. If you were not expecting an attachment, it could contain a computer virus.
  • File-Sharing - software should be set up carefully. Read the End User Licensing Agreement so you understand and are willing to tolerate any of the side effects of free downloads.
  • Backup - your important files on a regular basis.

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Useful Security Contacts & Additional Information Regarding Identity Theft & Online Scams

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Special Debit Card Information

Debit Card Fraud has become more frequent and increasingly sophisticated.  WCB employs various security and fraud prevention measures to protect your personal information and your accounts.   From time to time our security measures may block suspicious transactions, especially suspect transactions originating in foreign or remote locations.  As a result of a significant increase in fraud activity emanating from remote locations and foreign countries, your ATM or Debit Card may no longer be valid for use in some regions or for e-purchases.  We are sorry for any inconvenience this may cause.  Our primary concern is the safety and security of your personal and financial assets.  As conditions warrant, additional areas may be added to or deleted from our blocked list.  Before traveling we recommend that you contact the Bank in order to confirm that you can use your ATM or Debit Card at the desired location.  

 

Please call us as soon as possible at 781-729-3620 to report any lost or compromised card.  Additionally, if you have lost your debit card or feel your debit card information has been compromised, you now have the ability to deactivate the card by logging into your online banking or mobile branch. 

 

Our Fraud Prevention Services  provides our Debit Card customers with around-the-clock protection against debit card fraud.  Through an important partner of ours, experienced fraud analysts are at work monitoring for any suspicious activity.  You will be notified immediately by Fraud Prevention Services if anything looks suspicious on your account.  Please remember you will never receive an unsolicited call from us requesting your card and / or PIN number.

 

Should you have any questions about this, please call 781-729-3620 or stop by the bank.