Taking precautions can help protect you while making purchases with your debit card.
For Osgood Bank customers, we highly recommend setting up an online banking account so you have access to mobile banking. This will allow you to have access to your card controls in the palm of your hand. Card controls allow you to control when, where, and how your Osgood Bank debit card is used.
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Make sure your bank has your updated contact information. Banks can't ask about suspicious charges without a working phone number.
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Memorize your personal identification number (PIN). Think of it like a secret code. Don't write it down, share it, or carry it with you.
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If you receive a call asking about charges on your account, you should never have to give them your full card number or your PIN number. Fraudsters can impersonate banks, credit card companies, or even retailers and use a variety of tactics to obtain your personal information. If you're suspicious, ask who you are speaking with and hang up. You can call your bank back at a verifiable number to continue the conversation.
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Report lost/stolen cards immediately. You can copy down the customer service number from the back of each of your cards and keep them in a safe place (separate from your wallet) or just know where to find the number. If you have your card controls set up, you can turn the card off from your mobile app. For Osgood Bank customers, our customer service number is 419.582.2681. For after hours support call (debit card) 800.500.1044 or (credit card) 800.367.7576.
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Let your bank know your travel dates and destination. If your card gets used at an unusual location, it may be declined. No one wants that damper on their vacation when making legitimate transactions.
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Look out for card capture devices (skimmers). Stay away from ATMs and other card terminals (like gas pumps) that look like they have been tampered with. Loose parts, extra parts, tape, and glue residue are good indicators.
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Keep tabs on your card. Giving your card to someone should be thought of the same as handing them cash. Get it back after each transaction. If your card gets stuck in a machine, call your bank to report the incident.
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Check your bank account often. Online and mobile banking makes this easy. Keep your receipts and check them against your statement or online banking transaction history. Don't use public Wi-Fi to log into your online banking as it is less secure than a password-protected network.
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Be mindful of where you use your debit card, especially online. Check that the company is legitimate and the website you're visiting is secure (look for a lock or https in the web address). Some people choose to only use credit cards for online transactions as it isn't directly tied to a checking account.
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Sign up for identity theft protection. Vigilance will help prevent fraud, but scammers can be tricky. Having a fraud prevention safety net in place helps mitigate loss. All of Osgood Bank's personal checking accounts include access to ID Theft Protection with Kroll, but you must enroll before coverage begins.
