Do you wonder why we ask for your identification when making transactions at one of our offices? Protecting your privacy is our highest priority. We strive to know all of our deposit account holders, but with multiple accounts, we’d rather ask for your identification than risk your financial safety. When we ask, we’re doing our job to protect you!

There are pieces of information that we collect to identify you as a client. They include your name, physical address, home phone number, date of birth and social security number. When you call, you may also be asked a challenge question or password. Would you want it any other way? We don’t think so!

A few simple steps will help to ensure your banking safely and protect you from those who want to steal your identity — don’t let them go “phishing” in your pond!

Secure online practices

  • Keep your information secure by protecting your username and passwords.
  • Never use the “save ID and password” option in the browser.
  • Sign up for online statements to eliminate the possibility of paper statements being taken from your mailbox.
  • Monitor your account online regularly and report suspicious activity promptly.
  • Only enter information on secure sites showing “https” in their URL (not “http”) and a key/padlock icon next to it.

Protect your personal information

  • Secure your accounts – ask for protection beyond passwords, additional verification.
  • Make passwords long and strong – combine capital and lower case letters with numbers and symbols.
  • Unique accounts, unique passwords – use separate passwords for all accounts, and change your passwords regularly.
  • Write it down and keep it safe – keep a list of your passwords in a secure location away from your computer.
  • Own your online presence – set privacy and security settings to a level based on your comfort level.
  • National Bank of Middlebury will never contact you electronically (phone call, email, text, etc.) to obtain your information. Any such communication should be reported to the bank immediately.
  • National Bank of Middlebury will never ask for private information to be sent via unencrypted email.

Protect your information from phishers

Many financial institutions and companies that conduct business on the internet have become a target of online fraud called “phishing”. Phishers use fraudulent emails that appear legitimate, often using images and logos of financial institutions, and are designed to deceive you into entering private account information or personal information, such as date of birth and your social security number, on a website. This information could be used for identity theft or to gain personal account information that may be used fraudulently.

More tips for protecting your information

  • Maintain and run updated anti-virus and anti-spyware software.
  • Beware of “shoulder surfers” while using a computer in public areas — they may be trying to intercept your passwords or information.
  • Properly dispose of old computers and ensure all sensitive information is removed from the hard drive. Use software made to remove information rather than formatting the hard drive.

Helpful Links

Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC)

Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC)

Federal Trade Commission Identity Theft (FTC)