Consumer-Related Fraud

Alert!

Check fraud is increasing. Stolen mail is being used to commit fraud.

Please review your account activity DAILY and report unauthorized transactions immediately.

Thieves are targeting mailboxes and USPS collection mailboxes. Where possible, consider taking mail that includes checks or any financial information to the post office instead of mailboxes. These criminals are able to use solutions that “wash” the ink from checks to alter the amount and payee information. When writing checks, opt to use a gel pen as these have been resistant to check washing methods.

Business customers, enroll in fraud prevention solutions such as Payee Positive Pay or Reverse Positive Pay. New enrollments will have no setup fees and monthly fees will be waived until March 1, 2023. After March 1, 2023, a monthly fee may apply. LEARN MORE

To report fraud, call 240-380-1235 between 9:00 am and 5:00 pm.

Please review the tips below and enroll in the bank’s fraud prevention tools.

How to Protect Yourself

  • In General: Reconcile your bank statement within 30 days of receipt in order to detect any irregularities. Never give your account number to people you do not know, especially over the telephone (be particularly wary of unsolicited phone sales). Unless needed for tax purposes, destroy old canceled checks, account statements, deposit tickets, and ATM receipts.

  • Check Use: When you receive checks order, make sure all checks are included. Report any missing checks to your bank immediately. Store your checks, deposit slips, bank statements and canceled checks in a secure and locked location. Limit the amount of personal information on your check – do not include your Social Security Number, driver’s license number, or credit card number. Don’t leave blank spaces on the payee and amount lines. Don’t make a check payable to cash – if it’s lost or stolen, the check can be cashed by anyone. The criminals are able to use solutions that ‘wash’ the ink from checks to alter the amount and payee information. When writing checks, opt to use a gel pen as these have been resistant to check washing methods.

  • ATM Use: Use familiar ATM locations in well-lit areas and never insert your debit card into a machine if the card reader appears to be loose or bulky. Use your body or hand to shield the keypad from shoulder surfers when entering your PIN and protect your PIN by memorizing it. Avoid obvious and guessable numbers for your PIN like your date of birth and change your PIN periodically. If you think it may have been compromised, change it immediately. Never disclose your PIN to anyone.

  • Debit cards: Treat your cards as if they were cash. Do not leave them unattended. Make a list of your card account numbers and telephone numbers for reporting lost or stolen cards and keep the list in a safe place.

  • Mobile Banking: If you are using the Congressional Bank mobile banking application, please make sure you are using the latest revision available in the Apple App or Google Play stores. Updates may include app improvements, bug fixes or security updates.

  • Enable Alerts on your account: Make use of the online banking platform’s automated alerts for low balance, email address change, and sign on failed attempts among others.

  • Travel Notifications: Notifying us of your travel plans can help avoid interruptions when using your account cards. Congressional Bank utilizes geo-boundaries to thwart unauthorized charges against your account. Please call Customer Service to set this up.

  • Keep your contact information up to date: Keeping your contact information up to date allows you to receive timely notifications.

  • Report Identity Theft: Review your credit report regularly and avoid leaving dormant accounts open. To report identity theft to the FTC, visit https://www.identitytheft.gov/