Protect and prevent bank fraud | Truist

Put our security tools to use.

Tap into these features and resources to make banking easier and safer.

Use online and mobile banking.Disclosure 1

With online and mobile banking, you get access to security features like customizable card controls, paperless statements2, and multi-factor authentication. 

Go paperless.Disclosure 2

Help keep your mail from landing in the wrong hands. It’s easier than buying a shredder.

Use Zelle®Disclosure 4 and PazeSMDisclosure 5.

Use trusted payment methods available within online banking and the mobile app.Disclosure 1

Explore more resources.

We’ve pulled together additional information to help you protect yourself.

Follow good security practices.

Small efforts can add up to a big security boost. Turn these practices into regular habits to make protecting your personal information part of your everyday life.

  • Get creative with usernames and passwords – For each online account, create a new username and strong password that you aren’t using elsewhere. Fraudsters are known to steal usernames and passwords from other websites to try to gain access to financial websites.
  • Make passwords hard to crack – Don’t use characters from your email, phone number, or other personally identifiable information (Social Security number, birthdate, etc.) in your passwords.
  • Consider using a secure password manager – Password managers can help with creating unique passwords across multiple sites.
  • Enable multi-factor authentication – MFA is a two-step sign-in process. You verify your identity either through biometric identification or by entering a one-time code you receive through text or email.
  • Use caution on social media – Don’t share protected personal information (birthdate, etc.) on social media. Adjust your social media privacy settings to ensure that only your close family members and friends can view your profile. Ensure MFA is set up on social media accounts whenever it is offered.
  • Download updates – Keep your operating system and apps updated to ensure access to the latest available security features.
  • Protect your devices from viruses and malicious software (malware) – Install security software and avoid downloading content from unknown sources.
  • Customize your security settings – When you buy new devices—including wireless routers, smart speakers, and other smart home devices—adjust their privacy settings, and make sure you have them set to automatically install application and system updates.
  • Lock your devices and use biometric authentication when available – The Truist Mobile App offers biometric authentication to iPhone® and Android™ clients.Disclosure 6
  • Use only trusted wireless networks – Avoid public Wi-Fi. Use secure networks to protect your personal data and account info. Perform financial transactions (including banking and online shopping) only on secure networks. We also recommend using a virtual private network (VPN) to establish a secure private connection.
  • Avoid using free charging stations – Data thieves can install malware to steal information from your device. Use your own charger with a plug versus inserting your USB cord.
  • Wipe your computer or mobile device – Delete all your data before you donate, sell, or trade in your electronic devices.
  • Report loss or theft of any device – If your phone is lost or stolen, inform your carrier immediately.
  • Keep communicating with us – If you’re not sure whether it’s us calling, don’t answer. But do call us back as soon as possible at 844-4TRUIST (844-487-8478) or the customer service number printed on your bank card or statement. We might be calling to confirm whether a recent application or transaction is legitimate.
  • Safeguard your personal information – Never share or confirm personal information like Social Security or account numbers over email, text, or phone unless you initiated the call or have verified the caller.
  • Don’t respond to suspicious texts or emails – And don’t open suspicious links or attachments, especially from senders you don’t know. If you have a question about a message from Truist, call us at 844-4TRUIST (844-487-8478).
  • Don’t rely on caller ID – Scammers can use fake caller ID information.
  • Beware of texts or emails that ask you to take immediate action like changing your email address or password – The fraudsters’ goal is to get you to enter personal information.
  • Pay attention to collection calls – If you’re receiving collection calls for debts you don’t owe, this can indicate identity theft. Report any fraud to credit bureaus.
  • Be suspicious of texts or calls about payment apps – Use payment apps to pay friends and family only.
  • Register with the National Do Not Call Registry – You can register both your home and mobile numbers by calling 888-382-1222.
  • Don’t ignore address change notifications – If you receive a notice and you did not change your address, call Truist immediately.
  • Notify Truist if you don’t receive your bills or statements – Notify us to make sure the address has not been changed or your bill has not been stolen from the mail.
  • Check your mail daily – If you notice a sudden and persistent drop in the amount of mail you normally receive, check with the post office to find out if someone has instructed them of an address change.
  • Preview your mail – Consider enrolling in Informed Delivery, a free service from USPS that lets you preview your mail digitally and manage any packages that are scheduled to arrive. For more information on how to enroll, visit informeddelivery.usps.com.
  • Lock your mail – Use a mailbox that locks to prevent mail theft, and place outgoing mail in a U.S. Postal Service box.
  • Carry only what you absolutely must – Keep extra credit cards, checks, Social Security cards, important documents, birth certificates, or passports secured at home or in a safe deposit box.
  • Shred sensitive documents – Invest in a micro-shredder and shred documents before throwing them away.
  • Go paperless and sign up for direct deposit – By receiving your statements and paychecks digitally, you can help reduce your risk of mail fraud and check fraud.Disclosure 2
  • Safeguard your Personal Identification Number (PIN) – Don’t use obvious PINs like your birthday, address, or other personal information. Memorize your PINs. Don’t share them with anyone, and don’t write them down.
  • Protect your card number – Never send your card number by email.
  • Use chip technology where available – It helps reduce fraud by making it more difficult to duplicate the card or make purchases without authorization. When you use your card with chip technology, you may be prompted to enter your PIN for credit card purchases.
  • Only shop on secure websites – Spelling or grammatical errors indicate that the site may not be legitimate. Be aware that even websites with https:// and padlock can be phishing sites.
  • Report a lost or stolen card immediately.
  • Don’t use an ATM if the machine looks like it has been tampered with in any way – Fraudsters can use information captured from ATMs to create counterfeit cards. Scanning devices known as “skimmers” can be placed on top or inside of an ATM’s real card scanner to copy card numbers, and wireless video cameras may be used to record people entering their PINs.
  • Ensure your physical safety – Don’t count your money at an ATM, and avoid using an ATM alone at night—but if you must, be sure the area is well lit. Fill out any forms before you walk up to the ATM. When using a drive-up ATM, keep your car running, doors locked, and windows up.
  • Remember to take your card from the ATM before leaving.
  • Keep your Social Security number (SSN) under wraps – Do not print or write down your SSN on any document that could fall into the hands of identity thieves, like checks. Ask why someone needs your SSN if they are not running a credit check on you.
  • Read your credit report regularly – Make sure it’s accurate, and if you spot an inaccuracy, follow up. Check reports from Experian, Equifax, and Transunion.
  • Sign up for a credit monitoring service.
  • Look for mistakes – In some cases, a typo or an incorrect address on your report may be a simple oversight. But sometimes it could indicate that an identity theft event has occurred.
  • Make sure you recognize new lines of credit – Identity thieves may open a new credit card account or take out loans. Anything you don’t recognize can indicate identity theft.
  • Scan for new names – Your credit report will reflect all the names you have used when applying for credit. But a completely different name on your report may indicate identify theft.
  • Be aware of sudden score drops or delinquent accounts – A credit check isn’t required for a criminal to use your identity to pay for medical expenses, apply for a pay day loan, etc. Then, when the criminal doesn’t pay the bill, the account may end up in collections and appear as a delinquent account on your credit report and impact your credit score.
  • If you own a business, establish an online fraud awareness program for your company – Businesses of all sizes should establish these programs and conduct regular risk assessments.
  • When possible, use dedicated computers or mobile devices for your online banking needs – Protect wires and payments by using trusted devices separate from those used for social networking or general web browsing.
  • Use, and routinely review, user entitlements and payment limits.
  • Review your accounts daily – Identify irregularities before they become serious problems.
  • Use alerts to keep tabs on account activity – Get notified when specific events occur—such as when ACH wire transfers are made or when changes are made to user entitlements.Disclosure 3
  • Exercise sound password management – Use a different password for each website; regularly change your passwords; and avoid sharing passwords or storing them on your computer.
  • Identify gaps in your internal security controls – Address any known gaps immediately.

Let’s fight fraud together.

Learn more about who’s responsible for what when it comes to keeping your accounts secure.

Security is a team effort.

We’re proactively working on your behalf.

Know what to watch out for.

Contact us.

Call us.

Reach a real live person Monday through Friday, 8 am to 8 pm ET, or Saturday, 8 am to 5 pm ET. Or get 24-hour automated assistance. Call 844-4TRUIST (844-487-8478), or outside the U.S., call +1-910-914-8250. To report fraud, 24/7, select option 1.

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