If you believe you have been a victim of fraud or identity theft, the sooner you act, the better. Here are some steps to take as soon as you realize what's happened:

• Contact Cadence Bank or any other financial institution or creditor immediately. For Cadence Bank, call us at (888) 797-7711.
• Contact one of the three credit bureaus (Experian, TransUnion, or Equifax) to place an “Initial Fraud Alert” on your credit report.
• Report the issue to the Federal Trade Commission and obtain an Identity Theft Affidavit.
• File a police report and show your FTC Affidavit.
• Review a copy of your credit report and dispute any errors or unauthorized charges with the credit bureau.
• Close any new accounts you did not open.
• Keep detailed records of all communication you have with creditors, credit bureaus, etc.

For a more comprehensive list of steps to take in the case of identity theft, visit www.identitytheft.gov.

Your best defense against fraud is to understand what it looks like. The following are the most common types of fraud reported in the U.S.:

• Phishing: When a scammer attempts to steal sensitive information (such as passwords, usernames, credit card numbers, etc.) by claiming to be someone you trust, primarily using email. That information is then used by the scammer or sold to others to steal your money or your identity.
• Vishing: When scammers attempt to trick you into providing sensitive information over the phone (much like phishing, but over the telephone). Once they receive the information requested, they use it to access and use it fraudulently, or sell it to others to do the same.
• SMiShing (SMS Phishing): When a scammer uses text messages to lure consumers into providing sensitive information. Typically, the text will require a person’s “immediate attention” through a linked website address or phone number.
• Pharming: When a hacker installs dangerous and/or malicious code on a personal computer or server. After the code is in, it redirects the clicks you make on a website to another fraudulent webpage without your knowledge or consent.
• ATM Skimming: This type of fraud involves the attachment of electronic devices on or around an ATM to capture both the magnetic strip data contained on the back of a debit or credit card as well as the PIN that is entered at the ATM. Skimmers vary in shapes, sizes and designs, and are commonly used at gas stations and other ATMs that currently don’t require EMV chip authenticity.
• Malicious Programs: Criminals use viruses, malware and other malicious programs to steal personal and financial information from computers or mobile devices.
• Malicious Apps: Criminals can create third-party malicious apps that look like Cadence Bank apps. Once downloaded, the app may steal your personal and sensitive information.