What to Know About Trusted Contacts
A Trusted Contact is someone that helps protect your account, without having access to your money. Learn how a Trusted Contact works and why many customers choose to add one.
What is a Trusted Contact?
You might think that account security only involves your password, account alerts and fraud protection. A Trusted Contact adds an extra layer to those protections by allowing your bank to reach them when concerns occur and you cannot be contacted directly. Think of a Trusted Contact as an emergency contact, but for your bank.
It’s easy and voluntary to add a Trusted Contact. This option is meant to protect your financial well-being during unplanned situations – they cannot manage your account, make deposits or withdrawals, and they cannot see your balance. Their role is limited and focused only on being a secondary point of contact.
A Trusted Contact is someone you authorize your bank to reach out to if there are any concerns about:
- Suspicious account activity or unusual charges
- Possible fraud or financial exploitation
- Urgent or emergency situations
- Concerns about your well-being
- Difficulty reaching you through normal communication methods
A Trusted Contact helps your bank reconnect with you or confirm information when reaching you is difficult. The information your bank shares with a Trusted Contact is limited to addressing the situation at hand. Adding a Trusted Contact is optional, and you always remain in full control of your accounts.
What a Trusted Contact Is Not
A Trusted Contact has absolutely no authority over your accounts. This distinction matters and protects your privacy.
A Trusted Contact:
- Cannot make transfers or withdrawals
- Cannot manage your accounts
- Cannot access or request balances or account information
- Is not an account owner
- Is not a power of attorney
If your Trusted Contact reaches out to your bank on their own, your account information will not be shared. This role only exists when we initiate contact under specific circumstances.
When a Trusted Contact May Be Needed
A Trusted Contact may be used when:
- Your bank cannot reach you after multiple attempts
- Account activity is suspicious or does not align with your typical behavior
- Mail is returned and your address or contact information needs confirmation
- Potential fraud, exploitation or urgent concerns
- Health, travel or other issues limit your ability to respond
Your bank will always attempt to contact you first. A Trusted Contact is only used when direct communication is unsuccessful.
Why Trusted Contacts Matter
Adding a Trusted Contact will help protect you when fraud, confusion or outside pressure may be involved.
Trusted Contacts:
- Support faster response when your bank detects suspicious activity
- Help reduce the risk of financial scams and exploitation
- Allow your bank to act when you cannot be reached
- Demonstrates a proactive approach to customer safety and care
Trusted Contacts allow peace of mind while protecting your privacy, and without changing how you manage your accounts day to day.
Who Should Be a Trusted Contact
A Trusted Contact should be someone you trust to act in your best interest.
Common choices include:
- An adult child
- A parent
- A close friend
- A trusted professional advisor
Trusted Contacts must be at least 18 years old. They should not be minors, strangers or individuals you do not fully trust. They do not need legal authority over your accounts, and many customers choose someone separate from joint owners or powers of attorney. You may designate more than one Trusted Contact, though at least one is recommended.
Adding a Trusted Contact
You remain in control of your Trusted Contact designation and you can change, add or revoke them at any time.
The process for adding a Trusted Contact may vary by bank, but in most cases, you may be asked to:
- Provide basic contact information for the person you wish to designate
- Sign an authorization confirming your choice
Once added, the designation typically applies at the customer level rather than to individual accounts.
Changing or Revoking a Trusted Contact
You can change or revoke a Trusted Contact designation whenever you want.
- Changes can be made at any time by completing a new form
- New designations replace older ones
- Revoke a Trusted Contact by completing the revocation section of the form
This flexibility allows your Trusted Contact information to stay current as life changes.
A Simple Step Toward Peace of Mind
A Trusted Contact helps prepare for life’s unexpected moments, without changing how you bank.
If you would like added protections on your accounts, speak with our team about designating a Trusted Contact. It’s an easy step that can make a difference when it matters most.
