Fraud can happen to anyone. The good news is that acting quickly can help limit potential damage and protect your financial accounts. If you suspect you've been targeted by a scam, notice unauthorized account activity, or believe your debit card or online banking credentials have been compromised, it's important to report it immediately. 

What to Do If You Suspect Fraud

If something doesn't seem right, trust your instincts and take action.
Steps to take: 

  • Contact your bank as soon as possible. 
  • Report any unauthorized transactions or suspicious account activity. 
  • Lock or freeze affected cards if that option is available. 
  • Change passwords for online banking and any other accounts that may have been exposed. 
  • Monitor your accounts closely for additional unauthorized activity. 
  • Save emails, text messages, screenshots, or other information that may help investigators identify the scam. 

The sooner fraud is reported, the faster protective measures can be taken to help secure your accounts. 

ATM and Debit Card Safety Tips 

Your debit card is one of the most targeted payment methods. A few simple habits can reduce your risk: 

  • Inspect card readers for unusual attachments before inserting your card. 
  • Shield the keypad when entering your PIN. 
  • Use ATMs located in well-lit, secure locations. 
  • Avoid accepting assistance from strangers at an ATM. 
  • Regularly review account activity and transaction alerts. 
  • Notify your bank immediately if your card is lost, stolen, or retained by an ATM. 

If something about a card reader doesn't look right, do not use the machine and notify the financial institution. 

Password Protection Best Practices

Strong passwords are one of your most important defenses against fraud.
Remember to: 

  • Create unique passwords for important accounts. For Harbor Connect, passwords must be 12 characters if you are locked out or reset your password. 
  • Use a combination of letters, numbers, and special characters. 
  • Enable multi-factor authentication whenever available. 
  • Never share passwords or one-time security codes with anyone. 
  • Avoid using personal information such as birthdays or pet names in passwords. 
  • Update passwords immediately if you suspect they have been compromised. 

Cybercriminals often attempt to reuse stolen passwords across multiple websites, making unique passwords especially important. 

A Few Final Reminders 

Scammers depend on people acting quickly without verifying what they're seeing.
Whether you're responding to a text message, email, phone call, or social media message, take a moment to pause and ask: 

  • Was I expecting this communication? 
  • Is the request legitimate? 
  • Am I being pressured to act immediately? 
  • Is someone asking for personal information, passwords, or security codes? 

A few extra seconds of caution can prevent significant financial loss and identity theft. 

Remember: The Harbor Bank of Maryland will never ask for your online banking password, PIN, or one-time authentication codes by email, text message, or phone. If something seems suspicious, stop, verify, and contact the bank directly through official channels.