Tips to Using Gift
Cards Wisely
The Georgia Bankers Association represents the banking industry before the various legislative bodies and regulatory agencies as well as serves as the principal industry advocate to those outside banking.
As a service to consumers, the following links may prove helpful:
Thinking about buying a house or car? Financial Calculators can help with your plans.
Questions about your FDIC Insurance? Click here for answers.
Looking for a job with a Bank? Check our Bank Jobs Available.
Questions about your financial institution? Maybe the Bank Regulators can help.
Email Scams and "Phishing"
In a scam known as "phishing," swindlers send out email
claiming to be from reputable companies in hopes that
consumers will respond with bank account information, credit
card numbers, passwords or other sensitive information.
These emails can look quite convincing, with company logos
and banners copied from actual Web sites. Often, they will
tell you that their security procedure has changed or that
they need to update or validate your information, and then
direct you to a look-alike Web site. If you respond, the
thieves use your information to order goods and services or
obtain credit. Banks do NOT ask
for personal information via email so to protect your
information, do not respond to these emails.
Click
here for more information about email scams and "phishing"
published by the federal bank and thrift agencies to help
identify and combat this email scam.
Online
Auctions/Oops I sent you too much!
A growing scheme involves selling items at one of the online
auction sites or advertising for a roommate or to rent an
apartment. You get what looks like legitimate responses,
yet often fraud is involved. The FBI has issued a
Fraud Alert
giving you pointers about what to watch for.
Identity
Theft
Have you had checks stolen or your bank account used by
crooks? Click here to see what steps you need to take if
you've been the victim of Identity Theft.
Predatory
Lending
Looking
for a home equity loan? The Federal Trade Commission offers
a new consumer alert that helps people avoid abusive lending
practices when looking for home equity loans. Entitled
“Shopping for a Home Equity Loan?” the alert encourages
consumers to follow basic steps to get the best loan deals.