Financial Tips

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Financial Calculators

We have dozens of easy-to-use online calculators here involving mortgages, taxes, loans, investments, debt, credit cards, retirement and more to help you navigate your personal financial goals.  

LET’S be safe online
Online Bank Safety

Follow these habits when banking online to optimize your security.

  • Create a strong password and change it every 3-6 months.
    • Use capital letters, numbers, symbols.
    • Avoid personal information like phone numbers, addresses, pet names, or other passwords that would be easy to guess.
  • Keep your username and password private.
  • Log off the bank website when you’re done with your session.
  • Password-protect your home wireless network.
  • Turn on your firewall and updated antivirus and anti-spyware software.
  • Look for https:// at the beginning of the URL to ensure it’s a secure connection. Don’t enter any log in or personal information on an unsecured (http://) page.
  • Monitor your account activity regularly. Check your monthly statements.
  • Be skeptical of phishing Emails, which try to get you to reveal sensitive information from a hacker posing as a legitimate business. Remember: Central Bank will never contact you by Email or phone and ask you for your Social Security number! If anyone does, hang up and call us.

Are You Smarter Than a Fraudster? 

The goal of fraudsters is to trick you into doing things you normally would not do. Always take a step back and ask yourself the following questions:

Is this really an emergency? Is this true? Do you know the person that is asking you to do something? Have you verified the information and the company?

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Outsmart the Fraudster

Outsmart the fraudster by being proactive and keeping up to date with scams. Knowledge is the key to prevention. Educate yourself about current scams and understand the ways to protect yourself.

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Let's protect your identity

Financial Protection Your personal information is valuable—that means it needs to be protected. Let’s Deter, Detect, and Defend against possible scams. DETER hackers by keeping your personal information secure:
  • Shred financial documents before recycling.
  • Protect your Social Security Number. Don’t carry your Social Security card in your wallet. Only give out when absolutely necessary.
  • Don’t click on links or download attachments from unsolicited Emails you don’t trust.
  • Keep personal information secure in your home, such as in a locked file cabinet.
  • Sign up for eStatements to avoid mail theft (and save paper!)
DETECT suspicious activity by routinely monitoring your accounts:
  • Watch for unexpected statements, denials of credit for no apparent reason, and calls or letters about purchases you did not make.
  • Regularly review your bank statements regularly to spot purchases you did not make.
  • Order your credit report for free, as the law requires the major nationwide credit reporting companies (Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion) to give you one free copy of your credit report each year upon request. Visit www.AnnualCreditReport.com, call 1-877-322-8228 or you can complete the Annual Credit Report Request Form and mail it to: Annual Credit Report Request Service, P.O. Box 105281, Atlanta, GA 30348-5281. You can download the PDF form from the FTC site.
  • Review your credit report for potential errors. If any are spotted, take the following steps to dispute.
DEFEND against identity theft by following these steps as soon as you suspect an issue:
  • Place a free 90-day Fraud Alert on your credit reports by calling one of the following toll-free numbers:
    • Equifax: 1-800-525-6285
    • Experian: 1-888-EXPERIAN (397-3742)
    • TransUnion: 1-800-680-7289
  • Close accounts immediately that have been opened fraudulently using your stolen identity, or tampered with by scammers.
    • Call the security/fraud departments of your accounts and credit cards, and follow up in writing.
    • Visit IdentityTheft.gov to report tax identity theft to the IRS and the FTC and get a personal recovery plan. IdentityTheft.gov helps you complete and file an IRS Identity Theft Affidavit (Form 14039) online as your first step to recovery.
    • Ask for written confirmation that the disputed account has been closed and the fraudulent debts have been discharged.
    • Keep copies of documents of conversations about the theft.
  • File a police report. This will help you with credits who may need proof of the crime.
  • Report your complaint to the FTC.
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