Helping You Guard Against Fraud and Identity Theft

Each year, approximately 10 million people fall victim to fraud and identity theft crimes. First Citizens is committed to helping you protect your financial information and your identity. Follow these simple guidelines to help protect yourself and your First Citizens accounts.

What is Identity Theft?

Identity theft occurs when someone uses your personal information — such as your name, Social Security Number or credit card — without your permission to commit fraud or other crimes. Criminals may use your information to open accounts in your name. You may not even realize that you are a victim until you review your credit report or a credit card statement.

Here's What You Can Do

When it comes to fraud and identity theft, the best weapons are knowledge and awareness. Here are three tips that will help protect your identity from being compromised:

• Protect your Social Security Number — and never give your personal information to people or companies you do not know.
• Monitor your financial statements for any suspicious or unauthorized activity.
• Review your credit report regularly. You can request a copy of your free annual credit report by visiting www.annualcreditreport.com or calling 1-877-322-8228.

Additional Identity Theft Protection

First Citizens has partnered with Equifax™ to offer you additional identity theft protection solutions. To learn more, click here.

How First Citizens Helps Protect You

First Citizens will never request sensitive, confidential information in an unsecured e-mail correspondence with you. Examples of confidential information include:

• Social Security Number
• Mother's maiden name
• Online Banking or wire transfer PIN number
• Any account number(s), credit card/debit card information or PIN numbers.

Additionally, we will never ask you to download an attachment or software program and any exchange of confidential documents will be done via secure e-mail.

If you receive a suspicious e-mail message, or encounter a fraudulent Web Site attempting to look like a First Citizens Web site, please e-mail us immediately, or call our Customer Contact Center at 1-888-612-4444.

Fraudulent e-mail

Criminals may send you an e-mail that looks as though it comes from First Citizens. These phony e-mails may ask you to provide personal account information at a Web site that looks like it belongs to First Citizens. They might even warn you that your account could be suspended if you don't respond.

This is the most common type of online fraud, called "phishing" or "spoofing." Criminals send you phony e-mail messages — or direct you to a fraudulent Web Site — for one reason only: to steal your personal and financial information.

If you should receive an e-mail that looks suspicious, do not reply to it or click on any links it provides. Delete it immediately and e-mail our Customer Contact Center or call us at 1-888-612-4444.

Additional Resources

For more tips on recognizing fraudulent e-mail and other scams designed to steal your identity, visit these Web sites:

• www.ftc.gov/bcp/edu/pubs/consumer/alerts/alt127.htm
• www.occ.gov/consumer/phishing.htm
• www.ftc.gov/idtheft