Personal Checking

FRAUD Alerts

Travel Tips

The weather is warming up and summer vacation is on your mind. Make sure those plans include a visit with staff at Citizens Security Bank and Trust before setting out on a summer adventure.

Find out the safest way to travel to ensure you don't run out of cash or lose valuable credit information. Your vacation is your time to relax, let us help ensure you have that peace of mind.

 To help, ICBA offers these tips to consumers about what they need to take care of before they take off on vacation:

  • Let your community bank know when and where you will be traveling so that you will avoid any potential for fraud alerts when out-of-the-ordinary transactions are posted.
  • Call or stop by your community bank to find out what ATM or debit card fees you may be subject to in this country and abroad.
  • If you're traveling overseas, keep in mind that ATMs in many countries only accept four-digit personal identification numbers (PINs) and some countries have keyboards with numbers only, while others do not acknowledge zeros. Ask your community bank if you should create a new PIN for your account before you take your trip.
  • Carry a back-up card that you keep in a separate place. Families or couples may get even greater back-up coverage if each person takes a different card.
  • Make copies of all the cards you'll be carrying. Be sure to copy the front and back of the card. Take a copy with you and give a copy to someone you trust back home. Be sure to also include the security code for the card and the customer-service phone number.
  • Bring a list of emergency phone numbers, but remember, 800 numbers can only be used in the United States and Canada. Be sure to get a number for your bank that you can call if you're out of the country.
  • Many credit cards provide travel accident insurance and traveler's assistance. Ask your community bank what special services are available through your card.
  • Check your balance before you leave. Know the limits on how much you can withdraw. Save all your receipts.

"Whether your destination is overseas or closer to home, it really is better to be safe than sorry. And your community bank can help you make sure that you're safe," Marranca said.

For more information about what to do if you your card is lost or stolen or if you need additional help, visit http://usa.visa.com/personal/using_visa/travel_with_visa.html or http://www.mastercard.us/support/lost-card.html. 

Financial Preparedness In a Natural Disaster 

Citizen Security Bank is dedicated to providing financial preparedness tips to our customers in the event of a disaster or emergency.  If a disaster happens, CSB wants you to be prepared.  Our primary objective during these times of duress is to ensure our customers can regain normalcy.  Independent Community Bankers of America (ICBA) offers the following tips to help consumers prepare before an emergency occurs.

  • Keep marriage and family records, including adoption papers, property deeds, birth certificates, account numbers, car titles or lease contracts, bank and investment account numbers and three years of tax returns in the bank safe-deposit box.  Put each of these documents in a sealed plastic bag to keep out moisture.
  • Make and safeguard additional official copies of critical documents such as birth certificates, adoption papers, marriage certificates and the deed to your home for safekeeping and notify a trustee, close relative or attorney where your important financial information is located.
  • Keep names and contact numbers for executors, trustees and guardians in a safe place, either in your safe deposit box or with a close relative.
  • Take an inventory and keep a list of household valuables.  Taking photographs of these items can help as well.
  • Start and regularly contribute to an emergency fund that can cover at least three or four months of expenses.  This fund should be separate from your savings or investment account.
  • Include extra cash in your home emergency kit, which should include a three-day supply of water, food, a first aid kit, can opener, flashlights, radio and extra batteries.
  • Identify the records that you keep only on computer.  They may not be available if electrical power fails, so make a printout and safeguard them or back them up on an external device or web storage facility.
  • The web can serve as a supplement or back up to paper copies.  Scanned or other electronic documents can be attached to emails and stored in your email account or with secure online back-up services.
  • If you feel flood insurance may be necessary to protect your home, start shopping around.  Contact your insurance agent or visit FEMA's website at www.fema.gov for more information.

For more information and resources, including a copy of the Emergency Financial Preparedness Guide, visit the consumer education and resources section of www.icba.org.