Tanya Rosario is one of our newest Customer Service Representatives at Huron Valley State Bank. She has the crucial job of helping our customers with their financial transactions. 

She started her career in banking in 1999 and has served in various capacities as teller, supervisor, personal banker and financial service representative.  With her broad background in banking, she brings a wealth of knowledge and great experience to her position at Huron Valley State Bank. 

During the past few months, Huron Valley State Bank customers have experienced a high amount of debit card fraud transacted from the states of New York and New Jersey.  To protect you from fraudulent debit card use, effective immediately, we will block signature transactions from these states.  You can still use your card by entering in your PIN #.

We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause you, but protecting your accounts and Huron Valley State Bank from fraud is our primary concern.  Please feel free to contact our bank at 248.684.9626 or visit the Milford or Highland Branch with any questions you may have.

At Huron Valley State Bank, we are committed to protecting our customers identity.  The safety and security of your account is a priority to us. Later this year, you will receive a new debit card. The card adds improved fraud protection with an embedded computer chip. This technology is already securing payment cards in more than 80 countries and is now being adopted as the card standard in the U.S.

What is chip technology?

Cosmetically it is a small square area on the card (1 cm each way) that contains an embedded computer chip.  Functionally this is a "smart card" that employes microchip technology which makes your in-person debit card transactions more secure.  Chip technology is also known as chip card, smart-chip card, chip-enabled smart card, chip and choice card, or EMV (Europay MasterCard Visa) card.  

How will my transactions change?

As a Debit MasterCard user, you will not see many changes when it comes to making your everyday purchases. Store merchants are still in the process of upgrading their equipment. If they have the new equipment, you will insert the card into a chip-enabled card  reader instead of swiping it. Your card will continue to have a magnetic stripe so it can be used at stores that have not yet upgraded their readers.

Why chip technology?

Chip cards provide enhanced security. Each time you use your chip card, it transmits unique data that changes with each use. This allows for a more secure form of authentication and helps to prevent counterfeit card fraud.

What do I do when I receive my new card?

When you receive your new chip card, please activate it immediately, and destroy your old card. Your new card may or not have same account number, and the expiration date and CVV (Card Verification Value) security code will be different. Please update all recurring card payments with the new expiration date, CVV code, and account number (if different). 

Of all the types of identity theft out there, tax-related fraud tops the list of complaints, according to the Federal Trade Commission. In addition, the FTC reports a dramatic increase in complaints about criminals pretending to be IRS officials. With tax season in full swing, let's take a closer look at this type of fraud.

How Can I Help Protect Myself?

1. Consider filing your tax return as early as possible each year. Once you've filed, the IRS will reject any return duplicating your Social Security number.
2. If you aren't required to file a tax return, consider filing one anyway to help prevent a false return from being filed in your name.
3. Protect your Social Security number as much as possible. Don't carry it with you, and give it out only when absolutely necessary. Shred any documents that contain this information.
4. Run a virus scan on your computer routinely or keep your malware detection software up-to-date.
5. If you receive a phone call from someone claiming to be from the IRS, ask for the caller's name, badge number, call-back number and caller ID, if available. Then call 800-366-4484 to determine if the caller is an IRS employee with a legitimate need to contact you.
6. Be suspicious of any email, text message or social media contact from the IRS if you didn't initiate the conversation. And remember - the IRS will never call you to ask for money.

Where Can I Learn More?

How Do Scammers Operate?

Tax-filing fraud - Someone uses your Social Security number to file a false return and claim a refund. When you try to file your actual return, you learn that your return has already been filed for the year.