Identity Theft

Identity theft occurs when someone uses your personally identifying information, like your name, Social Security number, or credit card number, without your permission, to commit fraud or other crimes.

The FTC estimates that as many as 9 million Americans have their identities stolen each year. In fact, you or someone you know may have experienced some form of identity theft. The crime takes many forms. Identity thieves may rent an apartment, obtain a credit card, or establish a telephone account in your name. You may not find out about the theft until you review your credit report or a credit card statement and notice charges you didn’t make—or until you’re contacted by a debt collector.

Identity theft is serious. While some identity theft victims can resolve their problems quickly, others spend hundreds of dollars and many days repairing damage to their good name and credit record. Some consumers victimized by identity theft may lose out on job opportunities, or be denied loans for education, housing or cars because of negative information on their credit reports. In rare cases, they may even be arrested for crimes they did not commit.

Here are some Internet Links to help you better understand Identity Theft. Please note that links are outside of our site and Washington Savings Bank has no control over their content or availability.

Identity Theft

Customer eWarning

WASHINGTON SAVINGS BANK will NEVER request any confidential information from a customer such as account number, social security number, PINs or passwords by email or phone call. Never give out confidential information unless you have originated a voice or in-person conversation and we are requesting this for identification reasons.

Never give your PIN or password to anyone, including WASHINGTON SAVINGS BANK Staff. Emails from legitimate sources such as a bank or the FDIC can be faked!

When entering our ebranch (website), only enter directly at www.washingtonsavings.net in your browser. Never allow another website (such as a search engine or other website or bookmark) to transfer you to our website. Websites can be faked if not entered directly!