• Place a fraud alert on your credit file by contacting one of the three nationwide consumer reporting agencies listed below.

• Stick to secure sites. Secure sites have https in their URL address.
  
• Set up text and email alerts.
• When logging into Santander online or mobile banking, you will need a valid cell phone number on file and to register in our OTP service.
• Do not choose security questions when the answers are easily available in your social media accounts or can be accessed through public records.
• When answering your security questions, consider using standard answers that you will remember. For example, any question having to do with a pet would be answered with Smokey The Bear. Or, any questions that ask for a city would be answered with Marseille.

• When creating passwords consider choosing a phrase with rules that are easy for you to remember. For example, a phrase could be “I love to save@” and the rules could be replace “to” with “2” and replace “a” with “*” then add the first 3 letters of the company or website for which the password is created. Password for Santander would be Ilove2s*ve@San. Have fun creating your own pass phrase and rules!
• Store your Social Security card, passport, birth certificate, cards, checks, and other identification in a secure location and carry them only when you need them.
• Be careful how you share information over the phone, in person, online, and on social media platforms.
• Collect your mail promptly and shred pre-approved credit offers, receipts, and other documents that contain your personal information.
• Sign up for paperless statements as it requires a log in for viewing whenever possible.

Never give personal information out- including your social security number, bank account number, debit or credit card number, or any other financial information – to anyone over the phone unless you initiated the call and the other party is trusted.

Never rush into a financial decision- Always ask and insist on details in writing and get a second opinion.

Feel free to say no- After all, it’s your money.

Check references and credentials before hiring anyone. Don’t allow workers to have access to information about your finances.

Contact Adult Protective Services at
http://www.napsa-now.org

Contact your local police.

Tell someone at your bank.

ATM withdrawals by a person who has never used a debit or ATM card.

New "best friends" accompanying a vulnerable adult to the
bank.

Uncharacteristic attempts to wire large sums of money.

Confusion, fear, or lack of awareness on the part of any customer.

Addition of names. to cards or accounts.

Sudden non-sufficient activity, unpaid bills, or other changes in financial condition.

Refusal to make eye contact, or shame or reluctance to talk about the problem.

Talk to elderly friends or loved ones if you see any of the
signs mentioned above. Try to determine what is happening
with their financial situation, such as a "new" person helping
them with money management, or a relative using cards or
credit without their permission.

Report the suspected elder financial abuse. Visit the friend
or relative’s bank and ask to speak with the person who handles suspected financial abuse claims.

Contact Adult Protective Services in your town or state for help. You can find the office closest to you here http://www.napsa-now.org

Report all instances of elder financial abuse to your local police; if fraud is involved, they should investigate.

Lottery and sweepstakes – You're called and told: "You've already won! Just send $2,500 to cover your taxes."

Home repair/traveling con men – "We're in the area and can coat your driveway/fix your roof."

Grandparent con – You're called and told your grandson is in
jail and you need to send money immediately.

Charity scam – You receive a call from someone soliciting
funds for good causes; very common after disasters.

Utility worker con – You receive a knock at the door from a
would-be utility worker who says, "I need you to come outside
with me for a minute," while an accomplice steals your
valuables.

Back taxes scam – You're called and told that if you don't
pay your "back taxes," your license or passport will be suspended.

Fake checks – You receive a check for expenses associated for a job such as "mystery shopping" with instructions to deposit it and when it "clears," pay expenses and keep the rest. Weeks later, the check is returned as counterfeit.

Fake social media – Contacts establish an online relationship to ask for money, generally to help a stranded military officer get home or fix a problem they cannot solve because they are out of the country. Don't go for it.

Predatory lending – Seniors pressured into taking out inappropriate reverse mortgages or other loans.

Rigged annuity sales – Seniors may be pushed into using the equity from a reverse mortgage or other liquid assets to buy an expensive annuity, which may not mature until the senior is well into their 90s or 100s.