National Consumer Protection Week

National Consumer Protection Week, from March 3rd to March 9th, is a campaign aimed at encouraging consumers across the nation to learn how to protect themselves from fraud and scams.

How we keep Provident members safe:

1. SSL Certificates: Our website uses SSL certificates on secure servers. This means that any information exchanged between our web server and your browser is encrypted, making it more secure and private.
2. Firewall Protection: We have a firewall in place to block unauthorized access to our network and computing environment. Inside the firewall, private data is encrypted and password-protected.
3. Children's Online Privacy: We comply with COPPA, the Children's Online Privacy Protection Act, which safeguards children under 13 from the online collection of personal information. Our website is not intended for children under 13, and we do not link to inappropriate sites for that age group.
4. Third-Party Links: When integrating third-party content, we conduct thorough security reviews to ensure the privacy and security of member information. We verify that these parties store minimal data needed for online services and undergo annual security assessments.
5. Protecting Social Security Numbers: We collect Social Security numbers as required by law, but we take measures to keep them confidential, prevent unlawful disclosure, and limit access.
6. Secure Email: You can use secure email in Online Banking to contact us and share account information securely. Regular email is not secure and could potentially be intercepted along the way.

Common scams to be aware of :

• Imposter Scams:
  • Watch out for imposters posing as trusted entities.
  • Never share personal info or send money if unsure.
• Online Shopping Scams:
  • Check refund policies before making purchases.
  • Use secure payment methods and stick to official retailer websites.
• Prizes, Sweepstakes, and Lotteries:
  • Beware of demands for money or personal info to claim prizes.
  • Real sweepstakes don't require payment to win.
• Investment Fraud:
  • Avoid high-pressure sales tactics and promises of guaranteed returns.
  • Consult financial advisors and report suspicious offers to relevant authorities.
• Business and Job Opportunity Scams:
  • Be cautious of offers promising high pay for minimal work.
  • Research opportunities thoroughly and avoid upfront payments.
• Fake Check Scams:
  • Be wary of requests to send back part of a deposited check.
  • Don't send money or gift cards in exchange for checks.
• Check Washing Scams:
  • Protect your mail from theft and deposit outgoing mail securely.
  • Monitor your accounts for unauthorized activity.
• Disaster Fraud:
  • Verify identities of individuals claiming to offer assistance.
  • Be cautious of unsolicited offers and requests for money.
• Romance Scams:
  • Be skeptical of online relationships asking for money.
  • Avoid sharing personal information with strangers online.

Where to report fraud:

• Suspected identity theft, scams, or data breaches: Identitytheft.gov
• Fraud, scams, or bad business practices: Reportfraud.ftc.gov
• Suspected cybercrime: Ic3.gov
• Investment fraud or problems: Sec.gov
• Fraudulent investment activity: Finra.org
• Violations of Commodity Exchange Act: Cftc.gov
• Financial/economic crime or fraud: Fbi.gov
• Fraud related to disasters: Justice.gov