Apple Bank's priority is ensuring the security of your personal and financial information. Apple Bank Online Banking, Bill Pay and Funds Transfer services are encrypted to help protect your information. Apple Bank will only support browsers that adhere to our encryption standards, and we may block outdated browsers that could lead to a security risk. Be sure to keep security patches, anti-virus and malware removal programs, mobile apps, and plugins up-to-date on all your devices.
Apple Bank will never contact you to ask for your account number, debit card number, Password or PIN (Personal Identification Number).
Avoid the traps
In addition to the steps we take to protect your confidential information, you can take a number of proactive steps to protect yourself. Fraud starts with compromising your personal and financial information using malware, phishing, spoofing, coercion and intimidation, among other tactics. The information below will help arm you with the tools you need to fight fraud.
Protect yourself online
- A secure website will display https:// or the lock symbol in the address bar.
- Do not respond to email requests for personal or financial information.
- Never click on a link in an unsolicited email.
- Check your accounts online often to ensure any questionable activity is reported immediately.
- When you conduct online transactions, make sure the company you are dealing with is reputable, and has a valid business address and telephone number.
Protect yourself when using Mobile Payment apps
- Use mobile payment services with family, friends, and those you know and trust. When adding a new recipient, ensure that you have their most up-to-date email address or U.S. mobile phone number. Avoid sending money to or receiving money from people you do not know.
- Double check the recipient and the amount of money you have entered before you press “Send” — a simple mistake can send money to the wrong person or in the wrong amount.
- Be as careful with mobile payments as you would be with cash — all payments you make will be deducted from your available balance immediately.
- Set up your phone and mobile payment apps to require a passcode, PIN, fingerprint, or biometric scan before logging in.
Protect yourself on mobile devices
- Do not respond to text messages asking for personal or financial information.
- Use a mobile operating system (OS) that supports hardware-based encryption for both internal and external storage. This means the data stored on it is protected from all hackers.
- Set a screen lock passcode or PIN to prevent others from snooping on your device if it becomes lost, stolen, or left unattended.
- Enable data auto-wiping after a certain number of incorrect password attempts.
- Back up your data regularly and use a solution that lets you restore the data.
- Use a remote tracking and management solution on your device to help you find it when it’s misplaced or stolen.
- Use a data connection rather than unsecured Wi-Fi hotspots. Unsecured public Wi-Fi hotspots make it easy to capture Wi-Fi users’ passwords.
- Consider installing a security app to help prevent viruses, malware, and hacking.
Protect your computer and tablets
- Update your computer security with an anti-virus software solution that includes a firewall. Ensure that it conducts automatic updates to stay current.
- Only download files from known and reputable sites that have confirmed that the download is malware-free.
- If you are unsure about the quality of a download, leave the site and research the software you are being asked to install. If it is OK, you can always go back to the site and install it. If it is not OK, you will avoid a malware headache.
- Back up your files onto a removable disc or an external hard drive. Make sure you disconnect from the computer, remove the disc or hard drive and store it in a safe place. If your computer is compromised, you’ll still have access to your files.
Review your credit reports
You can help guard against fraud by periodically checking your credit reports from Experian, Equifax and TransUnion. Order a free credit report through
annualcreditreport.com or by calling 877-322-8228. You may also use this contact information to place fraud alerts on your credit file if you suspect fraudulent activity.
For tips on how to resolve identity theft and card fraud, click on the following links:
Identity Theft Prevention
Credit and Debit Card Fraud Prevention
Additional resources in the fight against fraud
Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC)
Federal Trade Commission (FTC) on identity theft
FTC on privacy, identity theft and online security
OnGuardOnline
Social Security Fraud Reporting
U.S. Postal Inspectors Mail Fraud Information
National Consumers League (runs National Fraud Information Center and Internet Fraud Watch)
Visa®
Consumer Financial Protection Bureau