Security
Arm yourself with the knowledge to stay safe online.
The best defense against fraud is you. Identity thieves are smart. Be Smarter!
You play an important part in keeping your personal information safe. Protecting your personal information can help reduce your risk of identity theft. No matter the amount of time you’re spending online, it makes sense to be smart about how and what you’re doing there. In addition to the security features put in place by First Bank of the Lake, you can help protect yourself online.
Here are a few important security tips:
- Report lost or stolen checks or debit/credit cards and fraud immediately. Call us at 573.348.2265 (Monday-Friday 8 am to 5 pm and Saturday 9 am to 12 Noon CT).
- Review statements and account transactions promptly and carefully to confirm debit card transactions, payments, and other transaction data.
- Shred or safely dispose of all documents that contain personal confidential information (i.e. bank and credit card statements, bills and invoices that contain personal information, expired credit cards and pay-stubs.
- Check your credit report periodically. Consumers can request one free copy of his or her credit report every year. Reviewing your credit report can help you find out if someone has opened unauthorized financial accounts, or taken out unauthorized loans, in your name.
Equifax – 1.800.685.1111
Experian – 1.888.397.3742
Transunion – 1.877.322.8228
- All the safeguards in the world won’t help you if you give out personal information. Never provide any personal information such as Social Security number, Account number, Usernames or Passwords over the phone or the Internet if you did not initiate the contact.
- Be aware of suspicious emails asking for your personal information. Unless you initiate contact with us, are opening an account or completing an application, First Bank of the Lake will NOT request your personal information (account number, social security number or mother’s maiden name) through email, U.S. mail or by phone. Please know that we encourage you to question the interaction and abruptly end any communication if you don't feel it's legitimate.
More tips:
- We will not send you an email requesting that you click on a hyperlink to enter your login credentials or personal information. If you receive this type of email, please forward it to administrator@fblake.bank.
- Take advantage of system alerts, such as balance and transaction alerts.
- Look for the secure padlock in the bottom right hand of your browser and https address line to make sure your information is encrypted. You can also double-click the secure padlock to verify the security certificate.
- Always sign out of Online Banking each time you finish your online banking session.
- Do not use personal information as your Username or Passwords.
- Create strong, unique and hard-to-guess passwords for your online accounts that include upper & lower case letters, numbers and special characters.
- Change your passwords frequently and don’t re-use the same passwords.
- Keep your passwords private.
- Set firm privacy settings.
- Avoid oversharing on social media sites.
- Use security software. Ensure your computer has the most recent Anti-Virus software and is being updated daily.
- Ensure your computer or mobile device have the latest software version.
- Be wary of free Wi-Fi. Avoid using public computers and Wi-Fi to access your online banking accounts.
- Close online accounts you no longer use.
No one can prevent all identity theft, but using these tips, you can help protect your personal information a little more.
Protecting the security of your money and identity is as important to us as it is to you. Let's work together to protect it.
