FDIC-Insured - Backed by the full faith and credit of the U.S. Government

You will now be linking to another website.

The site you will be linking to is not owned or operated by OceanFirst Bank. We encourage you to review the website's privacy and security policies.

Security & Protection

How We Protect You

Multi-Level Safeguarding

Securing your information and personal accounts are important at OceanFirst. That's why Bank employees are required to complete annual Security Awareness Training programs that include a focus on emerging threats in today's world.

Efforts to protect your sensitive information and communications happen everyday. Examples of this are secure information transfers, as well as reviews for websites and accounts that attempt to impersonate the Bank or its employees.

Our internal security team also provides continuous monitoring and updates to critical systems to help prevent fraudulent activity.

Privacy Policy

How To Protect Yourself

Password Strength

A strong password is the best method to protect your accounts. Here are things to consider when setting up a password:

  • Use a passphrase – this is a series of words strung together like a sentence
  • Use more than 16 characters
  • Use a password combination of letters, numbers, and special characters
  • No personal data – it’s best to avoid family member’s names, pet names, birthdates, or other information that could be gathered from social media or other public sources
  • Don’t reuse the same password across different accounts
  • Use a password manager tool
  • Use multi-factor authentication (MFA) whenever possible
Watch Out For Phishing Emails & Texts

Today, scams can reach you in many ways, including text or email. If a message seems suspicious, don’t interact with it! And, don't click any links that appear to be fraudulent. For safety, we suggest you log into your accounts utilizing a separate window.

If you feel a text or email is fake or pretending to be someone in your contact list, don't respond or click any links. Reach out to that individual using a phone number or email address directly.

OceanFirst will never contact you for your password or pin. Read more here: Protect Yourself - Banks Never Ask That!

If you receive a message appearing to be from the Bank, you can verify it is legitimate with our Customer Care Team at 1.888.623.2698.

Protect Your Devices

Computers, mobile phones, tablets, and other digital devices should always be updated to the most recent software version with the latest security features.

Install anti-malware to help protect against compromised websites, email attachments, and phishing software.

Only download applications and software from legitimate App Stores or known web sources.

Back up your data to the cloud or an external hard drive to protect it from being lost.

Securing Your Business

Protect Your Devices and Data
  • Use the newest software versions on all devices to avoid fraudsters exploiting vulnerabilities. 
  • Install antivirus or anti-malware software to protect your devices and be alert to suspicious behavior.
  • Only download applications and software from legitimate App Stores or known web sources.
  • Back up your data to the cloud or an external hard drive to protect it from being lost or compromised.
  • A network firewall adds protection from outsiders accessing data on your private network, while also protecting network users from accessing risky areas of the internet.
  • Purchase Cyber Liability Insurance in the event of a data breach or malicious software attack.
Password Strength

A strong password is the best assurance to protect your accounts and your business. Here are ways to consider when setting up a password:

  • Use a passphrase – this is a series of words strung together like a sentence
  • Use more than 16 characters
  • Use a password combination of letters, numbers, and special characters
  • No personal data – it’s best to avoid family member’s names, pet names, birthdates, or other information that could be gathered from social media or other public sources
  • Don’t reuse the same password across different accounts
  • Use a password manager tool
  • Use multi-factor authentication (MFA) whenever possible
  • Change default passwords for administrator accounts to be more complex (i.e., access to routers)
Staff Training For Red Flags

Regular cybersecurity awareness training for current organizational threats.

Train staff on topics such as: phishing, Business Email Compromise (BEC), and deepfake/AI technologies.

The threat of ransomware is still an issue of businesses of all sizes.

 

Restrict Privileged Access Accounts

Limit the number of administrator users on critical systems.

Log and monitor activity by privileged users on critical systems.

Common Fraud Scams

There are many ways scammers try to separate you from your money, including use of fake phone calls, emails, texts, or computer pop-ups to initiate contact. 

They try to evoke a sense of urgency and pressure to make you send them money fast. They may use threats, sad stories, or promises of winning a prize. They may warn you not to tell anyone, especially bank employees, about why they are asking you to withdraw or send money. 

Scammers will typically request funds via a complicated method such as wire transfers, gift cards, crypto transfers, and P2P transactions, such as Zelle or Venmo. Once sent, it's near impossible to recover your money.

How to Avoid These Types of Scams:
Tech Support

If you get a message that your computer is infected, it's likely a tech support scam. A fake tech support representative will ask you to give remote access to your computer. This is dangerous because this scammer will now have access to your files, including online banking. 

Do not allow remote access to your device to anyone who has contacted you.

Imposter Scam

Here, scammers pretend to be a legitimate employee of your bank, a utility company, law enforcement, Microsoft, Amazon, or a family member. They may say there is a problem with your account, tell you there is an unauthorized purchase, or your account is past due. They will ask for a credit or debit card, either to “refund” you or to take payment.

Before you do anything else, hang up and call the legitimate number for the company. It is possible they are using a fake forwarded number, to pose as someone they're not. Don't trust Caller ID.

Employment Scam
Fraudulent job offers (i.e. Work From Home) can mislead you to send money or give out personal information, like your Social Security Number or even your account information.
Always verify a company’s existence first. Never send money or provide personal information upfront. Do not apply for jobs that sound too good to be true.
Romance

Through fake profiles on social media or dating apps, these scammers will begin a relationship, sometimes talking or chatting several times a day. These scams are slow to build and can last weeks or months. When they have you on the hook, they will ask for money under some pretense (i.e., a plane ticket to meet, or a medical emergency).

Be wary of new relationships, particularly online with someone who asks for money. Hundreds of millions of dollars are lost each year to romance scams.

Overpayment Scams

Also known as a refund scam, they will claim to have overpaid you for an item you sold online or for an illegitimate refund. Often, they send you a check and ask you to send back the difference. The check turns out to be counterfeit.

Beware of buyers overpaying for items you have listed (via eBay or Facebook Marketplace). Remember, never allow anyone remote access to your computer or provide online banking credentials if you are unsure that they're a legitimate source.

Online Marketplace

There are multiple scams that target both buyers and sellers in the online marketplace. For sellers, scams include overpayment and fraudulent payment schemes. For buyers, scams include counterfeit or defective products and advance payment schemes.

Beware of brand-new accounts and research any established account. Use a payment platform or a marketplace that offers guarantees or payment protections. Be wary of anyone requiring a deposit without using a trusted escrow service. And remember - if a price or offer seems too good to be true, it most likely is!

Government Impersonators

Scammers will impersonate government agencies (i.e., FBI, IRS, or FTC), or local police and threaten arrest or deportation if payments are not made. They will often spoof Caller ID so that it appears the call is legitimately from the agency. They urge you not to tell anyone, including friends, family members, and financial institutions.

These agencies will never contact you about tax returns or active investigations. They will never ask you for payment to avoid arrest, nor will your Social Security number be frozen. If you get a call like this, hang up and report it to your local police.

Investment Scam

Scammers will promise high returns with little or no risk to get you to “invest in a hot new opportunity." They may contact you via social media or dating apps. They may offer a free seminar, or video testimonials of people who got rich investing with them. They may say that the investment is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, and pressure you for payment.

Never commit quickly to any investment.  Research and verify programs on your own. Since all investments can be risky, a clue that you may be talking to a scammer are the words "no risk" or "guaranteed returns."

Lottery Scam

These usually start with a call, email, or letter, saying you won a prize, cash, a new car, etc. But, the “prizewinner” must pay money to receive it. Some lottery scams may include a check to you for “taxes and fees.” The check will turn out to be counterfeit.

You will never be asked to pay, or provide your banking or personal information, to receive a prize you have legitimately won. Also, if you have not entered a lottery, you can't win a lottery.

Grandparent

This targets seniors with scammers posing as grandchildren, law enforcement, attorneys, or other family members in a crisis situation. They ask for money, telling you that the situation must be kept secret and to lie to the bank about the reason for withdrawing money.

Always hang up and call the actual number of your family member, even if the caller tells you not to do it. Don’t believe Caller ID – scammers can spoof a number to make it appear legitimate. Also, AI can be used to falsely replicate the voice of a grandchild or other family member so be wary.

Puppy Scams

Scammers pose online as breeders and post pictures of puppies. If you respond, they immediately ask for a deposit to be paid via wire, gift card, or payment app. In this scam, there is no puppy to buy, and your money will be gone. 

If you're interested in buying a pet, research the breeder before you make payment. If possible, meet the puppy in person before handing over any money.

Business Email Compromise

Business Email Compromise is a cybercrime where you'll be sent an email that appears to come from a known source making a payment request via invoice or asking you to click on a link to verify information.

You should verify these types of emails by reaching out to the individual or company directly before sending any money. NEVER click on links or attachments in emails without verifying it's legitimate. 

Identity Theft

This crime occurs when someone wrongfully obtains or uses your personal information without your permission for financial gain, fraud, or deception. This can include: name/address/date of birth, credit/debit card info, Social Security number, bank account number, and/or insurance information.

How Identity Theft Happens

A scammer can steal your identity in many ways. Known methods include:

  • Stealing your purse or wallet to secure your identification, credit cards, or bank information.
  • Dumpster diving or going through residential trash to retrieve bank statements or tax documents.
  • “Phishing” for information via fraudulent texts, emails, or phone calls.
Protect Yourself from Identity Theft
  • Do not answer phone calls, texts, emails, or social media messages from people you do not know
  • Do not click on links or respond to numbers from pop-up messages
  • Do not share personal information (SSN, date of birth, account numbers, online banking credentials, debit card number, or PIN)
  • Always review bank and credit card statements to monitor for unauthorized or suspicious transactions.
  • Collect your mail every day and properly dispose of confidential documents and statements, including pre-screened credit and insurance offers.
  • Store your personal documents in a safe place.
  • Utilize free monitoring services offered by the major credit bureaus, which will alert you to potential fraudulent inquiries or other changes to your credit. Experian, Equifax, and TransUnion

If you feel you are the victim of identity theft or have accidentally disclosed personal information, alert your bank immediately, place fraud alerts on your credit cards, place security freezes with each of the three major credit bureaus, and monitor all your accounts closely.

Report Identity Theft to the Federal Trade Commission online at https://www.identitytheft.gov, or by calling 1.877.438.4338.

Utilize the FTC’s list of steps to help you recover. IdentityTheft.gov - Recovery Steps

Watch for Warning Signs
  • Failing to receive your bank statements, bills, or email notifications from financial institutions.
  • Receiving cards or billing statements on accounts for which you did not apply, or notifications from financial institutions where you did not open accounts.
  • Receiving calls from debt collectors or companies about merchandise or services you didn't buy.
  • Noticing a sudden or unwarranted change in your FICO or VantageScore.
  • Receiving denials of loan or credit applications for which you did not apply.
  • Rejection of your tax return.

How To Report Fraud

To report unauthorized or suspicious transactions contact your OceanFirst branch directly or call 888-623-2698, option 4.

For phone scams, immediately make a report at https://reportfraud.ftc.gov/ and with your local police department.

For internet/cyber scams, immediately file a report at https://www.ic3.gov/Home/FileComplaint and with your local police department.

If you believe you have been a victim of identity theft, visit https://www.identitytheft.gov or call 877-438-4338 to report the incident to the Federal Trade Commission.

If you need to report a lost or stolen debit card, or fraudulent transactions on your card outside Bank hours, please call 800-472-3272.

OceanFirst Protects Your Information

In the event there is potentially fraudulent use of your OceanFirst Visa® Debit Card or account, it’s important for us to be able to reach you. To verify or update your contact information, please contact your OceanFirst branch or call 1-888-623-2698, option 3.

Protect your OceanFirst Accounts, Visa® Debit Card, and PIN.

To protect your personal information:

  • Never share your banking username, password, or PIN with anyone.
  • Create strong passwords and change them regularly. Do not use the same password for multiple sites.
  • Use multi-factor authentication for an added layer of protection on any accounts that offer it.
  • When at an ATM, be aware of your surroundings. Watch for cell phone cameras, mirrors, or other tools that may be used to view cards and or PINs.
  • Visually check the ATM for signs of a skimming device before you use it.
  • Only use cash transfer apps, like Zelle or Venmo, with those you trust. If someone tells you that you can only pay through a cash transfer app, it may be a scam.

OceanFirst will NEVER ask for your account number, debit card number, PIN, or banking username or password.