Online Banking Data Security

1st State Bank has security measures in place to protect your account information, but to make it effective we need your help and cooperation. Many account hijacking attempts come as a result of hacking into individual user accounts, and from there electronically breaking into the bank using your information and security codes.

There are several precautions that you should take to decrease the risk of unauthorized transactions from your bank account.

  • Use strong passwords: Read more information concerning passwords in our Password Security blog.
  • Use anti-virus/maleware protection: Make sure the anti-virus/maleware software on your computer is up-to-date and scans your email as it is received.
  • Email safety: Be wary of sending any sensitive information such as account numbers or other personal information through email. Only download from reputable sources, such as the bank’s website.
  • Log out: Always log out at the end of your online banking session.
  • Avoid phishing/social engineering scams: Fraudsters are always trying to access your personal information using various methods. Don’t respond to any unusual email requests for personal information. If you are unsure if an email is legitimate, call the bank.
  • Account monitoring: Check your accounts regularly and let the bank know immediately if something does not seem right. Those who monitor their accounts online often detect fraud earlier than those who rely solely on paper statements.
  • Avoid free WiFi/public internet: Public WiFi and hotspots are very convenient, but not entirely secure. Avoid performing banking transactions on a public network or hotspot. If you need to access your account, disable the WiFi and switch to your mobile network.

Free credit reports: One of your most important tools when protecting yourself against cyber-fraud is your credit report. It lists all of your credit accounts and will be the first place that unusual charges or entirely new accounts will appear. Federal law permits consumers to obtain a free report annually from each of the three major credit bureau. Experts recommend that you to obtain your free report from a different credit bureau every four months so you can monitor your accounts all year long. To obtain your free credit report, visit www.annualcreditreport.com or call (877) 322-8228.