It is important that you protect the confidentiality of your passwords, namely your Personal Identification Number (PIN) and/or your Personal Access Code (PAC). Think of your PIN and your PAC as "keys". Instead of unlocking the door to your house or car, they serve to unlock the gateway to your financial and personal information.Here are some helpful tips to keep these two "keys" safe:
- Keep your debit card in a safe place and don't lend it to anyone, including friends and family.
- Memorize your PIN and/or your PAC — it's your electronic signature. If you disclose your PIN and/or your PAC to someone else, you could be held liable for losses.
- If your MEMBER CARD® debit card is lost, stolen or retained by an ATM, notify your financial institution immediately upon becoming aware of the problem.
- When selecting your PIN and/or your PAC, don't pick the obvious. Your name, your children's names, address, telephone number, social insurance number or date of birth are all easy to find out. Choose something more complicated. If you don't, you could be held liable for losses.
- Don't let your debit card out of sight when you're conducting a transaction and don't let it be "swiped" twice. As soon as the transaction is complete, remember to take your card and the transaction record with you.
- Don't use ATM or Point-of-Sale machines where you don't feel secure. If anyone tries to distract you, retrieve your card and leave.
- If you have signed in to Internet banking, don't leave your computer unattended. Instead, Sign Out and then Sign In again when you are ready to stay at your computer until your banking transactions are complete.
- When you're making a transaction, or if you are using a publicly viewed computer terminal to access Internet banking, use your hand or your body to prevent people from looking over your shoulder while you type in your PIN or PAC.
- Regularly check your statements and balances to verify all transactions have been properly documented. If entries do not match your records, contact us right away.
- Change your PAC and your PIN regularly.