Card fraud occurs through a variety of channels, including online scams, data breaches, and card or mail theft. You can help keep your card numbers safe by sharing them with no one, and alerting us immediately if you notice anything suspicious.
Report Loss Or Theft Immediately
Contact us at 732-380-3600 if your First Atlantic debit or credit card is lost or stolen so we can deactivate your card and reissue a new one.
If your card number appears on a list of compromised cards during a data breach, we will contact you immediately to let you know. If you haven't done so already, please make sure that First Atlantic has your current email address on file. That way if we uncover any scams affecting your accounts, we can easily alert you and take proper action.
Watch Your Accounts
- Keep checking your account statements and call to report fraudulent charges ASAP. If you spot a charge you didn’t make, call to report it immediately. If you wait, you may have to pay for the charges, or lose the money withdrawn from your account.
- Check your credit reports. Get copies of your free credit reports to monitor for accounts or charges you don’t recognize. If you suspect identity theft, visit IdentityTheft.gov to report it and get a recovery plan.
How To Protect Your Account Information
- Don’t share your account information. Don’t give your account number over the phone unless you made the call — and know why you need to share it. Never leave your account information out in the open.
- Protect your accounts by using multi-factor authentication, when available. Some accounts offer extra security by requiring two or more credentials to log into your account. This is called multi-factor authentication — a security practice that makes it harder for scammers to log in to your accounts if they get your username and password. To log in to your account, you’d need either:
- Something you have — like a passcode you get via text message or an authentication app.
- Something you are — like a scan of your fingerprint, your retina, or your face.
- Keep an eye on your accounts. Regularly check your account activity, especially if you bank online.
- Carefully check your ATM or debit card transactions because they take money from your account right away. Report any withdrawals you don’t recognize to your bank or credit union immediately.
- For your credit cards, open your monthly statements promptly. Compare the current balance and charges on your account with your receipts. Report any charges you don’t recognize as soon as you discover them.
- Keep your cards, PINs, receipts, and deposit slips safe — and dispose of them carefully.
- Carry only the cards you'll need. Don't carry the PIN for your ATM or debit card in your wallet, purse, or pocket. Never write your PIN on the card itself, or on any piece of paper that you could lose or someone could see.
- Cut up old cards. Be sure to cut through the account number, the magnetic strip on the back, and the security code — before you throw the pieces away in separate bags. If your card has a chip, it may be difficult to cut. You may want to destroy the chip by smashing it into pieces with a hammer.