Monitoring your account activity is one of the most effective ways to protect yourself from fraud. The sooner you are able to identify unauthorized activity, the better you can take action to reduce the impact.

Here are some tips for monitoring your accounts and credit.

Monitoring Your Accounts

1. Review account activity often, daily if possible, through Online and/or Mobile Banking.
2. Check your account notification settings and take advantage of as many alert options as possible.
3. Set up email or text alerts for unusual activity, transactions exceeding a certain dollar amount, unusual account login activity, etc.
4. Review every transaction to ensure even small dollar transactions are authorized.
5. Be aware of any recurring transactions you may have authorized.
6. Track your check activity by who you paid as well as the amount.
7. Ensure your contact information is always up to date to ensure you are promptly notified of any suspicious activity. If you lose a card, notify your financial institution immediately.
8. If you lose any identification documents or are made aware that your identity may be compromised; notify ALL financial companies immediately to ensure additional security measures are added to your accounts.

Monitoring Your Credit

1. Monitor credit report activity in the GSB Mobile App with Credit Insights. Receive email alerts if there are any big changes detected such as: a new account being opened, a change in address or employment, a delinquency has been reported or an inquiry has been made. By law, you’re entitled to a free report every year from each of the three credit bureaus. Reports are available at annualcreditreport.com.
2. Place a fraud alert with one of the three credit bureaus. The bureau you contact will then contact the other two credit bureaus. Placing a fraud alert is free and it will stay on your report for one year.
3. You also have the option to completely freeze your credit file with each bureau in order to block all activity. Your file can be temporarily unfrozen as needed, and there is no cost to you. Learn more about credit freezes from the FTC.