Fraudulent E-mails
The FDIC is receiving complaints from consumers who received an e-mail that has the appearance of being sent from the FDIC. The fraudulent e-mail requests that recipients update account information due to inactive account, frauds and spoof reports, and that failure to do so will result in closure of the recipient’s bank account. The link contained within the e-mail, http://www.fdic.gov/register/cgibin/fdic_intsafe/register.jsp serves as a gateway to the fraudulent Web site. The fraudulent Web site, which is designed to look like a page from the FDIC’s authentic Web site, asks respondents to provide sensitive information, such as bank or credit card account numbers, a well as personal identification and Social Security numbers.

This alert is intended to warn consumers that the fraudulent e-mail, which could also possibly contain a computer virus, was not sent by FDIC. Financial institutions and consumers are being warned NOT to access the link or submit personal information. Additionally, as a reminder to all consumers, the FDIC strongly recommends that individuals safeguard personal information and refrain from responding any unsolicited requests for personal information.

Citizens Bank of Sac City does not solicit personal information from you by an email or telephone. If you receive such a request do NOT respond to the request. It was not sent by Citizens Bank of Sac City. Do NOT open any e-mails that appear to be from Citizens Bank. If in doubt, please give us a call.

Consumers Can Access Free Credit Reports
A credit report contains information on where you live, how you pay your bills, and whether you've been sued, arrested, or filed for bankruptcy. Nationwide consumer reporting companies sell the information in your report to creditors, insurers, employers, and other businesses that use it to evaluate your applications for credit, insurance, employment, or renting a home.

• You may want to review your credit report:
  because the information it contains affects whether you can get a loan — and how much you will have to pay to borrow money.
• to make sure the information is accurate, complete, and up-to-date before you apply for a loan for a major purchase like a house or car, buy insurance, or apply for a job.
• to help guard against identity theft. That's when someone uses your personal information — like your name, your Social Security number, or your credit card number — to commit fraud. Identity thieves may use your information to open a new credit card account in your name. Then, when they don't pay the bills, the delinquent account is reported on your credit report. Inaccurate information like that could affect your ability to get credit, insurance, or even a job.

As of March 1, 2005, Iowans can obtain a free copy of their credit reports compiled by each of the three national credit reporting bureaus. Iowa consumers will be among those in 12 Midwestern states to obtain a free annual credit report under the 2003 Fair and Accurate Credit Transactions Act. Amendments to the federal Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) require each of the nationwide consumer reporting agencies to provide consumers with a free copy of their credit report, at the consumer’s request, once every 12 months. The three largest credit repositories, TransUnion, Experian, and Equifax, have developed a centralized single contact system that consumers can use to order a report from one, two or all three bureaus.

You can order your free annual credit report

1. online at www.annualcreditreport.com,
2. by calling 877-322-8228
3. through the mail by filling out the request form located at https://www.annualcreditreport.com/cra/requestformfinal.pdf and mailing it to:
   
   Annual Credit Report Request Service
   P.O. Box 105281
   Atlanta, GA 30348-5281
   
   When you order, you need to provide your name, address, Social Security number, and date of birth. To verify your identity, you may need to provide some information that only you would know, like the amount of your monthly mortgage payment.
   

For more information on free annual credit reports go to: https://www.ftc.gov/bcp/conline/pubs/credit/freereports.htm