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Password Security
Security Hints
It is recommended that anti-virus software is installed and updated on your personal computer to reduce the risk of lost information or damage due to computer viruses.
Personal firewalls can help prevent unauthorized access to your computer and network.
Updated browsers are also important to keep your transaction security optimized.How Can I Protect My Information?
Fraudsters never lose a moment to find a new way to exploit technology for your loss and their gain. As these criminal enterprises continue to evolve and create new ways to gain access to your personal information, they also use traditional and low tech means to steal information. Here are some ways to protect yourself from these old school methods.
- Never use your unsecured outgoing mailbox to mail bills or other items. Raising the red flag for the mail carrier to take your items is like waiving directly to fraudsters to steal your identity. If you will be away for a time and not able to collect your mail, consider placing a vacation stop at the Post Office.
- Limit what you carry on your person – including credit cards. A back up payment method is always a good idea – but only take along what you need. Cards that you do not use frequently should be locked at home.
- Never carry your social security card with you.
- Shred or tear up prescreened credit card offers prior to throwing them away.
- Shred all financial documents including bank statements and notices, medical documents, expired credit cards, etc. before throwing them away.
- Consider removing and destroying labels on prescription bottles before throwing them away. Never share any medical or health information with someone over the phone unless you initiated the phone call to a doctor, insurance company or provider.
How Can I Protect My Mobile Device?
With the shift to mobile banking and mobile deposit – it is important to remember that your mobile device is a very powerful mini computer – virtually a hand held laptop. A mobile device requires as much protection from unauthorized access and use as a desktop computer. Fraudsters continue to find ways to exploit consumers and steal their financial information and assets – therefore protecting every access point to personal and financial information is a must.
- Take great care to ensure that your mobile device is either with you or securely stored. Preventing theft by leaving your mobile device unattended may seem obvious, but even setting your phone down for a moment at a restaurant or counter in a store could end up with it being stolen.
- Ensure that a passcode locks your mobile device and consider utilizing a stronger password (more than 4 or 6 digits.) Auto-lock should also be turned on.
- Beware of suspicious links– these may contain downloads of malware or ways to obtain your personal information for use by fraudsters. Just as you should never clink on links contained in unsolicited emails on personal computer– you should apply this practice to mobile devices as well.
- Consider installing security software on your mobile device.
- Only install Apps that are trusted and ensure that financial related Apps are password or biometrically protected. Remove Apps you no longer use. If you allow an App to have access to your personal data such as contact lists, photos, locations, etc, make certain you want to share this formation prior to granting access.
- Do not use public charging stations such as in an airport or café. These charging stations are largely unmonitored and can be used to install malware or other malicious content on to your mobile device.
- Use public wi-fi with caution. Any data transmitted over a public wi-fi network is available for others to see as it is unsecured. Turn on your own personal hotspot in lieu of unsecure wi-fi if you need to access sensitive data such as a banking App on your mobile device.
If you suspect potential fraud or identity theft of personal or financial information, please contact the bank as soon as possible:
First Bank of Manhattan
P.O. Box 85
Manhattan, IL 60442
815-478-4611
First Bank of Manhattan has partnered with our Core Network’s Fraud Center – a leading provider of risk management and fraud detection who uses DefenseEdgesm technology to identify and stop fraud early in its tracks. Working with Fair Isaac neural network technology, transactions are monitored and scored to identify potential fraud. The DefenseEdgesm tool is used to determine the likelihood of card activity being fraudulent using real-time scoring and potentially declining an unauthorized transaction at the point of authorization.
Over 300 decision elements are used to create rules specific to fraud patterns including data such as past behavior on a card, if a PIN was used, the type of merchant, dollar amount, and location. Using these elements, a score is assigned to each transaction. If the score is high enough to indicate potential fraud, a case is generated and an attempt to contact the cardholder to verify activity is made.
These methods of contact are automated and will occur in the following order:
Text (will occur 24/7)
Email (will occur 24/7)
Voice - Cell/Home/Work (Calls placed between 8:00am and 9:00pm – local time of the cardholder)
If the cardholder verifies the transactions as authorized, the case will be resolved and no further action is necessary.
If the cardholder verifies that fraudulent or unauthorized transactions have occurred, the card will be blocked to prevent further activity from taking place. The case will remain open and a member of First Bank of Manhattan’s debit card department will be notified to begin working with the customer on resolution.If you are planning out of state travel or vacations, please consider notifying First Bank of Manhattan at 815-478-4611 so we can alert our Fraud Center. This may prevent a potential unnecessary block on your card due to unrecognized or out of pattern activity.
Note – it is important to ensure your contact information is accurate and up-to-date. Inaccurate information could prevent the Fraud Center or First Bank of Manhattan’s ability to contact you to verify suspicious activity in a timely manner. Should you wish to confirm or update your contact information, please notify the bank at 815-478-4611.The Federal Trade Commission provides valuable information regarding fraud, scams, and identity theft on their website https://www.ftc.gov. Some of the most prevalent and common scams are noted below.
Romance Scams – This fraud has increased by 50% since 2019 with consumers reporting losing a record $304 million in 2020.
Grandkid Scams – Targeting loving and caring grandparents, imposters trick older individuals in mailing cash, on average $9,000 to people pretending to be their grandchildren.
“You’ve Won!” Scams – Fraudsters contact you by mail, call or email telling you that you won! Now all you have to do is pay the small fee!
IRS Imposter Scams – Using threatening tactics, a fraudster will call you saying he is from the IRS and that you owe back taxes. If you don’t pay right away, you will be arrested! Remember – this is a scam! The IRS will not contact you by phone.
Imposter Scams -Never pay a fraudster or imposter using a gift card. Many different kinds of imposter scams exist – such as computer tech support, over refund, lottery winnings – etc. Keep in mind they are all tricks to have you send the fraudster money!
This is not an exhaustive list of scams – new scams are popping up every day. It is so important to be aware of situations like this. If you feel that you or someone you know has become a victim of any of these scams – please call the FTC at 1-877-382-4357 or go online to www.ftc.gov/complaint.
