Security & Fraud Information

Home Resources Security & Fraud Information

Nothing is more important to First Security State Bank than the security of your personal information. While we are able to protect your information behind layers of industry-standard security, you most likely don’t have the same luxury. For your own protection online and off, First Security State Bank has put together some tips and best practices for the security of your personal information, as well as to put in practice whenever you are online.

Offline Security

  • Shred any mail that has personal information on it before recycling it.
  • Do not provide any personal or bank information to anyone who calls you claiming to be from First Security State Bank or another financial institution.
  • Keep important documents (Social Security cards, birth certificates, passports, etc.) in a locked, fire-proof safe, or better yet, store them in a safe deposit box at First Security State Bank.
  • Don’t carry these important documents around with you.
  • Be sure to check the area surrounding an ATM before using it, and keep an eye out for anyone approaching you while using the ATM.
  • Be sure to take receipts from ATMs, gas pumps, etc.
  • Void and destroy any checks you are not using.
  • Destroy old credit or debit cards after receiving and activating your new cards.

Online Security

  • Do not give out personal information requested in emails from people who you did not initiate contact with.
  • Do not click on any links in an email where someone is asking for your personal information or to “update your account information.” Find the company’s website, locate their customer service number and call them to check if they really do need this information or if they sent the request.
  • Never open an attached file in an email from a sender you don’t know or that you have not asked to send you an attachment.
  • Use strong passwords, such as a combination of uppercase and lowercase letters, numbers and symbols if allowed.
  • Change your passwords once a quarter.
  • Use anti-virus, anti-spyware and firewall software on your personal computer and devices. Be sure to update these as often as they ask so you have the latest security upgrades.
  • Before entering any personal or financial information in a form field on a website, check that the website begins with “https” and that there is a padlock in the address bar or at the bottom of the page. This indicates that site has the necessary security protocols in place to protect this information.
  • When using public Wi-Fi, do not send personal or financial information via email or through an online form.

If you think you have been a victim of a phishing attempt or identity theft, contact First Security State Bank immediately so that we can freeze your account. You will also want to contact the Federal Trade Commission, as well as each of the three major credit bureaus to freeze your credit activity: