With the holiday shopping season in full swing, fraudsters may try to dull the giving spirit of the season and take advantage of unsuspecting shoppers. Whether shopping in-store or online, stay alert and be suspicious of deals that seem to be good to be true.

• Set up account alerts. Find out if you can set-up alerts to monitor for suspicious activity on your account. Make sure you know who to contact if your account is compromised.  It’s a good idea to keep a list of phone numbers for your bank and credit card accounts separate from the cards in case they are stolen. 
  
  
• Be cautious of deals that seem too good to be true. Shoppers are often enticed with what appears to be an outstanding deal, only to be scammed into providing their personal information.  If you feel uneasy about a deal, spend some time investigating it before making the purchase. 
  
  
• Be aware of your surroundings. It’s easy to get caught up in the hustle and bustle of the season, but make sure you always have physical possession of your bank, debit card and credit card information.  Be cautious to whom you are providing financial information.
  
  
• Monitor your accounts online. Thanks to the power of technology, it’s easy to check our account balances regularly. Notifying your financial institution promptly of any suspicious activity will help minimize loss and frustration. Checking your account balance may also lessen the chance of overdrawn funds. 

If you believe fraudulent activity has occurred on a Busey account, contact our Customer Care team or visit your local service center immediately.