Education Center

Below is information to assist customer like yourself navigate the persistent world of scams, fraud, and identity theft.

Important Information for Users of our Online Services

Marathon Bank and your log-in credentials

We will never call, email or otherwise contact you to request your access ID, password, or other log-in credentials for the online services we offer. If you receive such a request, do not provide any information. Contact us at (715)845-7331 or toll free at (844)864-7330 to report the incident.

Reporting Suspicious Activity

If you see suspicious activity on your account(s) or have received a suspicious call, email, letter or other similar contact regarding your relationship to Marathon Bank, call (715)845-7331 or toll free at (844)864-7330 or your local branch.

Important Information for Business Users of Online Services

Business transactions, because of their frequency and dollar value, are inherently riskier than consumer transactions. There has been steep rise of online account takeovers and unauthorized online fund transfers related to business accounts in the last five years.

Recently, small- to medium-sized businesses have been primary targets as cyber criminals have recognized that the security controls they have in place are not as robust as that of larger businesses. Analysis indicates enhanced controls over administrative access and functions related to business accounts and layered security using multiple and independent controls help to reduce these types of crime.

Business Security Tips

• Start With Security: A Guide for Business
• Copier Data Security: A Guide for Businesses
• Protecting Personal Information: A Guide for Business
• Small Business Computer Security Basics

 

Security Tips

Password Security Tips

• Do not share your User ID’s or Passwords with another person or provide them to others. Safeguard your User ID and Password information—never leave the information in an unsecured location.
• Create a unique User ID and Password. Do not use the same identifying information on multiple websites.
• Create strong User ID’s and Passwords. In other words, use upper case letter(s), lower case letter(s), number(s), and special character(s)
• Secure Password Checklist

Email Security Tips

Do not open emails or attachments from individuals or organizations that you do not know.

Many times fraudsters will send attractive offers via letters, calls, text messages or emails asking you to deposit funds to participate in a scheme that will sound too good to be true. At a later point they withdrawal the money and stop communication.  Below is a list of common fraud schemes

• Contest, PCH and lottery winnings that you have not registered for, in which case they will ask for funds to process the winnings
• Emails that appear to come from large corporations, public entities or even regulatory bodies (IRS, State Gov’t, etc.). These emails will normally claim that you owe money and need to submit payments.
• Phone calls, text or emails on job offerings that you have not applied for requesting personal information and banking credentials.
• Phone calls, text or emails suggesting that you have inheritance that originate from a foreign country asking for personal information.
• Investment plans or multi-level marketing schemes offering unrealistic returns on your investment

How to Recover your Hacked Email or Social Media Account

Website Security Tips

• Monitor account activity. View account activity online on a regular basis and review periodic account statements and reconcile them to your personal records.
• Log Off from a website; do not just close the page or “X” out.
• Secure websites have a web address that includes an “s” (https rather than http). If this is lacking, the site may not be genuine. Avoid logging in or conducting business on the site.
• When completing financial transactions, verify encryption and other security methods are in place, protecting your account and personal information.
• Safe Online Shopping to avoid Fraud and Identity Theft

Mobile Device Security Tips

• Be cautious of what you download. Make sure the apps you are downloading have a good reputation and the app developer is legitimate.
• Keep track of your mobile device and always maintain some form of device login security for access to your mobile device.
• Do not hand your mobile phone to someone if the screen is unlocked.
• Do not save log-in information on your mobile device, especially to online banking or e-commerce sites.
• Avoid logging into mobile banking when on a public network.
• Use only the official Marathon Bank mobile banking app.
• Don’t click on that random text. It’s a scam
• How to Protect your Phone from Hackers
• How to remove your Personal Information before you get rid of your phone

Computer Security Tips

• Use quality security monitoring software on your PC that includes anti-virus, anti-malware and firewall functions.
• Use your PC’s security features such as individual Log-In accounts.
• Keep PC operating system security up-to-date by applying patches and updates.
• How to Secure you Home Wi-Fi Network
• How to remove your Personal Information before you get rid of your computer

ATM Security Tips

Always practice safe ATM operation by following these simple safety precautions.

• Memorize your PIN. Do not write your PIN on your card or store the PIN with your card.
• Do not share your PIN or card with anyone.
• Do not allow a stranger to help or assist in the use of your card or the handling of the cash.
• Stand close to the ATM when conducting your transaction and be aware of your surroundings.
• Verify that your transaction is complete and the screen has reset before leaving.

Scam, fraud, and Identity Theft Tips

• How to Recognize and Avoid Phishing Scams
• How to Spot, Avoid, and Report Tech Support Scams
• What to Know About Romance Scams
• Warning Signs of Identity Theft

Resources from the Web

https://www.identitytheft.gov/#/Info-Lost-or-Stolen - Go here for information on what to do if your information is lost or exposed

https://staysafeonline.org/ - Go here for information provided by the National Cybersecurity Alliance

https://consumer.ftc.gov/ - Go here to Report Fraud, Report Identity Theft, Get your free credit report, Get consumer alerts, and more.

https://www.annualcreditreport.com/index.action - Go here to request your free credit reports.

https://playmoneysmart.fdic.gov/games - How Money Smart Are You? Go here learn about everyday financial topics.

Identity Theft Contact Information

Credit Bureaus:                                                                                                                                

Equifax:                                                                                                                 

                        Phone: (800) 525-6285                                                                         

                        Website: www.equifax.com/CreditReportAssistance                                                                              

Experian:                                                                                                               

                        Phone: (888) 397-3742                                                                         

                        Website: https://www.experian.com/fraud/center.html                                                                        

TransUnion:                                                                                                                       

                        Phone: (800) 680-7289                                                                         

                        Website: https://www.transunion.com/fraud-alerts                                                                  

                                                                                                                                   

It is not necessary to contact all of the credit bureaus to report the identity theft, although you may do so if you choose. If one of the credit bureaus receive a report of identity theft, they are required to tell the other two.                                                                                                 

                                                                                                                                   

Law Enforcement Phone Numbers:                                                                                                                      

            Marathon County Sheriff's Department: (715) 261-1200                                    

            Lincoln County Sheriff's Department: (715) 536-6272                                        

            Taylor County Sheriff's Department: (715) 748-2200                                          

            Clark County Sheriff's Department: (715) 743-3157                                           

            Wood County Sheriff's Department: (715) 421-8715                                          

            Portage County Sheriff's Department: (715) 346-1400                                       

            Waupaca County Sheriff's Department: (715) 258-4466                                     

            Shawano County Sheriff's Department: (715) 526-3111                                     

            Langlade County Sheriff's Department: (715) 627-6411                                      

            Milwaukee County Sheriff's Department: (414) 278-4766                                              

            Ozaukee County Sheriff's Department: (262) 284-7172                                      

            Washington County Sheriff's Department: (262) 335-4378                                             

            Waukesha County Sheriff's Department: (262) 548-7181                                   

            Racine County Sheriff's Department: (262) 636-3822                                         

                                                                                                                                   

Federal Trade Commission:                                                                                                                        

            Phone: (877) 438-4338                                                                                    

            Website: https://www.identitytheft.gov/#/       

                                                                                   

U.S. Postal Service:                                                                                                                          

            Phone: (877) 876-2455                                                                                    

            Website: https://www.uspis.gov/report

                                                                                               

U.S. Social Security Administration:                                                                                                                      

            Phone: Wausau office by phone at (800) 772-1213                                                                                           

            Website: https://oig.ssa.gov/report/     

                                                                                   

FBI Internet Crime Compliant Center (IC3):

            Website: www.ic3.gov