Identity Theft – Consumer

Card Controls and Reporting Lost or Stolen Cards

A misplaced card is not the same as a lost, stolen, or compromised card. If you know your card is in a safe place, such as your home or car, but the card is not where you usually keep it, give yourself peace of mind and protect your account using Card Alerts & Controls*.

Simply turn your card off in seconds using the Card Alerts & Controls feature, search for your card, and turn it back on when you’ve found it.

Visit Card Alerts & Controls in the More menu of your desktop online banking or the Republic Bank Mobile app*. Tap “OFF” to turn off your card. You can learn how turn on and off your card in our “Misplaced Your Card” video if you need it.

Still can’t find your card? Turning off your card in Card Alerts & Controls only prevents the card from being used, it does not close your card. Recurring transactions will still process. Turning your card off is not a replacement for reporting your card as lost or stolen. Contact us immediately at 888-584-3600 if you believe your card is lost or stolen, or if you suspect fraudulent activity.

To report a lost or stolen Republic Bank ATM or Debit Card, please immediately call 1-888-540-5363. Customer Service Representatives are available to assist you with closing your card 24/7.

The Electronic Fund Transfers Act, as implemented by Regulation E, protects consumers who engage in electronic transfers which include transactions conducted at ATMs, through point-of-sale terminals at retailers, ACH transactions, telephone payments, and online transactions.

Your liability may be limited for unauthorized electronic fund transfers provided that you report the unauthorized transfer in a timely manner. The terms and conditions, including important timeframes, are provided in our Electronic Fund Transfer Disclosure which you can view here.

To report a lost or stolen Republic Bank Credit Card, please immediately call 1-866-292-0856.

Submit a dispute case

File a dispute for unauthorized transactions on your account or transactions with processing errors. You can file a dispute online 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Once your transactions are posted to your account, visit “Dispute a Transaction” in the ‘More‘ menu of your Personal Online & Mobile* Banking account, and submit your dispute case.

You can also contact us to file a dispute by phone (1-866-212-5590) or Live Chat at RepublicBank.com or the Republic Bank Mobile app*. Disputes submitted via these methods will be processed during our normal customer service hours.

Privacy Protection And Preventing ID Theft

Identity theft results from the unauthorized use of an individual’s personal identifying information (PII) without their knowledge to commit fraud or theft. The following suggestions are provided to help clients protect their privacy and secure their identity.

Protect Your Personal Identifying Information (PII)

Do not provide your date of birth, full social security number (SSN), credit card numbers, full bank account numbers, personal identification numbers (PIN), or passwords to anyone not permitted.
Do not provide your PII over the telephone, through the mail, or online (either through a website or email/file share) unless you have initiated the contact and know the person or company to whom it is given.
Do not provide your PII to anyone over the phone in a public place or online on a public wireless network (WiFi) such as those found in airports, hotels, or coffee shops.

Credit, Debit, and ATM Card Tips

Turn your card OFF with Card Alerts & Controls** when you are not using can prevent fraud. Turn it back on with a simple tap anytime you need to use your card.
Limit the number of cards you carry and cancel cards you do not use.
Retain all receipts from transactions and compare them to charges on statements.
Sign any new cards immediately upon receipt and report lost or stolen cards immediately.

Online Security

Securely message Republic Bank representatives for account assistance using Easy Support. Click here to learn more about Easy Support.
Never share your Personal Online & Mobile Banking username and password with anyone. Republic Bank will never ask you for your online and mobile banking password in a call, text, or email.
Basic home security should include using a firewall, keeping all antivirus software updated, and employing a complex password to protect your wireless network (if applicable).
Standard email isn’t a private conversation, which is why we always recommend using secure email to send documents like loan or mortgage applications. We take the privacy of our communications very seriously, which is why we offer secure two-way email communication.
When using online banking services, check to be sure the sites you navigate are secure. Make sure that the URL begins with “https://” and look for the padlock icon at the bottom of the browser page, which indicates that the site is encrypted.
When using a public computer–such as one at your local library–avoid typing your personal information (i.e. name, address, full social security or credit card number).
Type website URLs directly into the address bar, do not follow links. Examples of links that you may encounter include pop-up advertisements on sites that you are visiting, advertisements on search engines, or emails with an embedded website URL (these may appear as buttons in the message or have underlined or bolded text).
If you shop online, check your credit card statements as often as possible and use a credit card for online purchases. Credit cards have some protections that debit cards do not, such as the ability to question unusual charges.

Mobile Security

Mobile devices, such as iPhones, Android smartphones, or tablets should be password protected and the memory card, if applicable, should be encrypted. Android and Windows devices should employ antivirus software.
Prior to downloading an application to your phone, always check the number of downloads, the reviews, and the access permissions. Never download applications from a third-party website.
Do not set your Wifi to automatically connect to available networks and only visit sites that contain sensitive information using your data plan or from a trusted network (such as your home, office, or phone).
Never share your mobile banking password with an employer for any reason. Do not accept payment from employers who ask for your mobile banking credentials in order to deposit funds into your account using features such as Mobile Deposit or Zelle***.
Download the Republic Bank app* on your mobile device. The app is optimized to be easier to navigate on a mobile device and has enhanced security features.
Never enter sensitive information into an application or website in a public place.
Make sure the Republic Bank Mobile app* is up to date on your device for robust app security.
Use Account Push Notifications* and card alerts** to monitor your account activity.

Credit Monitoring

The Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) requires companies to provide a free copy of an individual’s credit report upon request every 12 months. Visit www.annualcreditreport.com for details. Various services are available for an annual fee that provide continuous credit monitoring, alerts, and monthly reports.

Immediately contact us at 1.888.540-5363 if you notice fraudulent charges.

Credit Bureaus

If you suspect you are the victim of identity theft, contact one of the following credit bureaus.

Email Scams

“Phishing” is a technique used to direct clients to a spoofed corporate website through links sent in email messages. To protect yourself from email phishing and malware attacks always follow these guidelines:

Do not click on links in unexpected emails that request confidential information.
Only use sites that employ secure internet connections when transmitting sensitive or confidential information. Make sure that the beginning of the web address begins with “https:// “ and look for a lock icon in the status bar.
Make sure your antivirus is updated and is functioning properly and install a firewall to prevent attacks through the internet.

The information below will help you recognize common scams:

Social Engineering

Social engineering is a series of techniques designed to elicit sensitive information from an individual. To protect yourself from social engineering always follow these guidelines:

If you receive an unsolicited request for personal information, never provide any personal identifying information such as passwords, debit or credit card numbers, social security, personal identification numbers, etc.
Never discard any information containing personal information without shredding it in commercial or residential trash, including medical records, resumes, emails, bank statements, account details, etc.
Be aware of your surroundings when typing personal identifying information as someone could be looking over your shoulder to obtain that info.

Republic Bank will never request a client’s personal information by phone, through e-mail, or provide links within an e-mail to update sensitive information, nor will a Republic Bank associate ever ask you for your username or password.

Additional fraud education resources to check out:

AARP Scams & Fraud – https://www.aarp.org/money/scams-fraud/
CFPB Fraud and scams – https://www.consumerfinance.gov/consumer-tools/fraud/
FBI Cyberthreats – https://www.fbi.gov/investigate/cyber
USA Gov Scams and fraud – https://www.usa.gov/scams-and-fraud

* Message and data rates may apply from your wireless carrier.

** If you are turning off your card because of fraud, you will still need to call the bank to close that card and order a new one. Turning off your card in Card Alerts and Controls only prevents the card from being used as long as it is turned off.

*** Zelle and the Zelle-related marks are wholly owned by Early Warning Services, LLC and are used herin under license.