Security & Privacy

Today’s world offers many new and convenient ways to manage your finances. It also brings an ever-increasing threat of fraud and identity theft.

We All Have Important Roles to Play

The security of your accounts and private information is a primary goal of BankRI. We have systems, procedures, and processes to help protect you. You have an important role to play as well, beginning with keeping your contact information up to date with us.

These links describe many of the protections we have in place, as well as recommendations on what you can do to help stay safe.

24/7 Fraud Detection

Your ATM and Debit card transactions are monitored 24/7 to detect suspicious activity outside your normal pattern of use. We’ll stop a transaction and alert you by phone, email or text if we suspect your card is being used fraudulently.

The Card Fraud Center will temporarily block a Debit Card for a suspicious transaction and will send a text, email and phone call along with a 6 digit reference number to the customer contact info on file.

Customers can reply to any of these channels (text, email or phone call) to self-resolve the debit card back to an “active” status once confirming there is “no fraud”.
However, if you choose to call the Card Fraud Center phone line directly, the 6 digit reference number will be required in order for our Card Fraud Center to assist. Without a reference number, you will be referred back to BankRI.

Due to the holiday season and an increase in fraud, there may be higher than normal hold times when calling our Card Fraud Center.

Protecting Your Account and Identity

These tips are designed to help you protect yourself from fraud and identity theft.

Preventing Identity Fraud

Protect your accounts.
Do not loan your ATM or Debit MasterCard® or share your passwords with anyone who is not authorized on your account.
Do not share your account numbers with anyone.
Report lost or stolen checks and ATM/Debit MasterCards immediately.
Review new checks to make sure none were stolen.
Be aware of the expiration date on your ATM/Debit MasterCard.
If you do not receive a reissued card before the expiration date, notify our Customer Support Center.
Store new and cancelled checks safely.
Question suspicious emails or phone inquiries. Unless you initiated the contact, Bank Rhode Island will not request your personal information (account number, Social Security Number, or mother’s maiden name) through email, U.S. mail, or by phone. Please notify us immediately if you receive odd calls or emails claiming to come from BankRI. Be especially wary of those requesting account information to “award a prize” or “verify a statement.”
Guard your ATM and Online Banking information. Avoid using obvious or easily obtainable information as your password. Don’t share your passwords with anyone or write them down.

Preventing Identity Theft

Don’t give out financial information online or on the phone unless you initiated the contact, and know the party you’re dealing with.
Shred unnecessary financial documents, including old bank statements, invoices, and unwanted pre-approved credit offers.
Promptly retrieve incoming mail, and don’t put outgoing mail in your residential mailbox.
If regular bills or statements stop reaching you, take action. Call the company’s customer service number. Someone may have filed a false change-of-address notice to divert your mail.
Don’t ignore suspicious charges. If doubtful or unauthorized charges appear on your bills or statements, call immediately to resolve the discrepancy.
Don’t write personal numbers on your checks. Never preprint your driver’s license or Social Security Number on your checks.
Don’t carry your Social Security card in your wallet; instead keep it in a safe place.

Check Your Credit Report

You can obtain a copy of your credit report at any time from one of the three major credit bureaus. You can request a ‘fraud alert’ and victim’s statement on your credit reports, which will alert creditors to call for your approval if they receive applications to open new accounts.

TransUnion: 800-916-8800 or www.transunion.com
Equifax: 800-685-1111 or www.equifax.com
Experian: 888-397-3742 or www.experian.com

More Information / How To Contact Us

For additional information about account fraud and identity theft, you can refer to the U.S. government’s central Web site for information about identity theft.

How To Contact Us

Call: (866) 4-BANKRI weekdays from 8 a.m. to 6:30 p.m., and Saturdays 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Write:

Bank Rhode Island
Customer Support Center
P.O. Box 9488
Providence, RI 02940-9488
Email: [email protected]

Please note: A representative will contact you by the next business day. Do NOT include any sensitive information including social security number or account information.

Bank Rhode Island is not responsible for the content, products, or services provided on third-party sites hyperlinked from this page. Bank Rhode Island does not endorse or guarantee the products, information, or recommendations provided on third-party sites hyperlinked from this page, and Bank Rhode Island is not liable for the failure of products or services offered on those third-party sites. Third-party sites may provide less information privacy or security than the Bank Rhode Island website. You should review the privacy and security policies of a website before you provide personal or confidential information.