Safeguard Your Personal Information & Data
June 3, 2024
Safeguard Your Personal Information and Data
No matter what you’re doing online - from online shopping and social media to banking and healthcare - in today’s digital age we are constantly sharing sensitive, nonpublic personal information online. Safeguarding that information has never been more important.
Nonpublic personal information, or NPI, includes information like your social security number, bank account numbers, and medical information. While some information like your name or address may seem harmless, when combined with other data it can leave you vulnerable to identity theft and fraud.
Banks across the U.S. have reported an increase in the number of incidents involving consumers divulging NPI, including online banking usernames and passwords, to scammers impersonating bank employees. It’s important to remember, Kearny Bank will never call or send a text or email asking you for personal information, including your online banking username and/or password.
If you receive a call, text, or email from someone claiming to be a Kearny Bank employee requesting information, do not respond and definitely do not share any information with them! Instead – even if you think it’s legitimate – let them know that you’ll call them back to verify the call. Then hang up, no matter how much the caller protests (in fact, if they protest, that’s really a clear sign they’re up to no good). Immediately contact us at 800-273-3406 or visit your local Kearny Bank branch to report the incident. If you believe your personal information may have been compromised, contact 800-273-3406 or visit your local Kearny Bank branch as soon as possible.
Unfortunately, there are a lot of bad actors out there who get creative when trying to steal your money or identity. Check out Kearny Bank’s online Security Center and Digital Banking Help Center for more information on protecting yourself from scams.
By Ken Helmrich / SVP | BSA/OFAC Officer
About Ken:
Ken Helmrich is a Senior Vice President and Kearny Bank’s BSA/OFAC Officer. Ken is responsible for managing the Bank’s BSA/AML and OFAC compliance program including client due diligence, enhanced due diligence for higher risk clients, transaction monitoring, case investigation, and BSA reporting.
Ken has nearly 20 years of banking experience and has been with Kearny Bank since 2020. He holds a bachelor’s degree from Fordham University and is a member of the Association of Certified Anti-Money Laundering Specialists as well as the Association of Certified Financial Crime Specialists.