Security: How We Protect You Online (And How You Can Protect Yourself)

How We Protect You Online

First Bank and Trust is dedicated to safeguarding your personal and banking information.  Our first level of security is the online enrollment process and your password selection. 

We also use security features that operate during your online session, and finally, we monitor each login and its data to verify the source of the activity is from you.

User ID & Password:

Your User ID and password form a link that allows you to access your information at fbtonline.com only.  These combine to form an encrypted identity that allows us to verify that you are operating from your computer.  To prevent unauthorized access, it is very important to keep your User ID and password confidential.

Built-In Security In Online Sessions:

After you sign in for online banking, you are protected by encryption of your confidential information and personal account data as it is transmitted to and from our online banking website.  Today, our computers utilize special Secure Socket Layer (SSL) encryption when transmitting data on the internet.  This means there is a private session that only you and the First Bank and Trust system can understand.

You can tell when you are in a secure “SSL” session on your computer.  When you see a ‘locked’ security padlock icon or an ‘unbroken’ key on the bottom of your screen, you are in a secure session. 

Account Applications On Our Website:

Under the button—“Apply For An Account”, you can fill out applications for deposit and loan products.  The submission of this information is through a ‘secure forms’ module where the information is encrypted and provided with full security during submission.  We ask you not to e-mail this information but to apply directly through our secure website.

E-Mail Communications With The Bank:

We have just described significant ways in which the bank creates secure protection for you to transmit personal or financial information over the web. A reminder—e-mail is NOT a secure means of communication.  DO NOT tell us your confidential data such as account number, social security number or any other personal information. 

When you contact the Bank through e-mail, please tell us your general situation and how to contact you. We will contact you to discuss the situation.

First Bank and Trust will not ask you to send confidential information to us in an e-mail. If you think you are being asked to do this, do not cooperate.  Call the Bank and let us investigate the request.

How You Can Protect Yourself

To protect your confidentiality, NEVER share your personal information with another person or provide it to someone in an e-mail or on a phone call.  Do not tape your User ID and/or password to your PC, desk or anywhere near your computer.

If you think someone is aware of your password, please go to online banking and change it.  If you try to login and are unable to do so, please contact First Bank and Trust so we can determine if there is a problem with the system or if something has changed on your account.

Please logout from each online banking session on our website.  By doing so, this will not allow an unauthorized user to gain access to your financial information.

Phishing and Preventing Identity Theft

We have explained how the bank has set up safeguards to protect you and your account information.  Identity theft is one of the fastest growing crimes in the country and is often triggered by an individual who unwittingly provides information or access to someone who is unauthorized to have the data.

Protect Yourself Against Phishing
Phishing (pronounced “fishing”) involves the use of seemingly legitimate e-mail messages and Internet Web sites to deceive an individual into disclosing sensitive information, such as bank account information, Social Security numbers, credit card numbers, passwords, and personal identification numbers (PINs). These messages may appear to come from legitimate sources. They ask customers to verify personal information or link to counterfeit web sites that appear real.

A Phishing e-mail may look like this--

Dear Valued Customer,
Due to safety concerns at our Bank, we are updating your information.  Please reconfirm your financial information; otherwise we will have to shut down your account. Click here.

Dear Madam,
We have reviewed our files and determined that your maintenance fee for online service is overdue.  Click on this link to log in.  Once you complete the mandatory fields, you are done.

These e-mails look like they have been done by your bank or a trusted vendor, but they are not.  This is the type of trick that a criminal trying to gain unlawful access to your accounts will use. Techniques such as a false “internet” address or the use of seemingly legitimate graphics or logos and false web links may be used to mislead you. They are truly ‘fishing’ for unsuspecting individuals who will give them information to access their accounts.  We are warning you about this so you are not their next victim.

Be careful if an e-mail asks you to:

• Act quickly because your account may be suspended or closed, and requests personal information to avoid the problem.
• Asks for any private data such as account numbers, passwords, Access IDs, or other personal information. or
• Don't address you by your account name or uses a general reference like "Dear valued customer."

First Bank and Trust will NOT ask for personal information, such as account numbers, social security or drivers license numbers, user IDs or passwords, via e-mail.

While we may send you information or an update via e-mail, we will never ask you to provide personal or bank data through web links or e-mail. If you receive an e-mail requesting this type of information, do not respond to it.

If you think you may have received a phishing e-mail, or have questions about an e-mail that appears to come from us, please call us at (504) 584-5900. We’ll be glad to help you.

Customers who fall prey to e-mail or web-related fraud offers face significant and immediate risk. Criminals who gain unauthorized access to financial accounts will act immediately to utilize the identity theft before the victim realizes the problem has occurred.  In many cases, it is too late to take action to stop identity theft.

What is Identity Theft?
Identity theft occurs when someone acquires your personal information and uses it without your knowledge to commit fraud or theft. It is a serious crime and cases are growing. An all-too-common example is when an identity thief uses your personal information to open a credit card account in your name.

No matter how cautious you are, there is no way to completely eliminate the possibility of  identity theft. But there are ways you can help minimize your risk. Below are some tips on how you can protect yourself by managing your personal information wisely and what the best defense is against identity theft.

Helpful Tips

• Don't give out personal information on the phone, through the mail or over the Internet unless you've initiated the contact or are sure you know whom you're dealing with.
  
• Don't carry your Social Security card with you; leave it in a secure place. Carry only the identification and credit and debit cards that you need.
  
• Don't put your address, phone number, or drivers license number on credit card sales receipts.
  
• Social Security numbers or phone numbers should not be put on your checks.
  
• Shred your charge receipts, copies of credit applications, insurance forms, physician statements, checks and bank statements, expired charge cards that you're discarding, and credit offers you get in the mail.
  
• Secure your credit card, bank, and phone accounts with passwords. Avoid using easily available information like birth date, the last four digits of your SSN, or your phone number.
  
• Secure personal information in your home, particularly if you have roommates or hire outside help.
  
• Promptly remove mail from your mailbox. If you're planning to be away from home and can't pick up your mail request a vacation hold.

Check your credit report
Order a copy of your credit report from each of the three major credit-reporting agencies every year. Make sure it is accurate and includes only those activities you have authorized.

By checking your report on a regular basis you can catch mistakes and fraud before they wreak havoc on your personal finances. Don't underestimate the importance of this step.

Credit Bureaus
Equifax - www.equifax.com
To order your report, call: 1-800-685-1111
To report fraud, call: 1-800-525-6285

Experian - www.experian.com
To order your credit report or report fraud, call: 1-888-EXPERIAN (397-3742)

TransUnion - www.transunion.com
To order your report, call: 800-916-8800
To report fraud, call: 1-800-680-7289

What is your best defense against identity theft?

Awareness.  Being alert, watching for unusual activity or requests for information is an effective weapon against identity theft. Awareness of how information is stolen and what you can do to protect yours. And, awareness of what to do when you suspect your identity has been stolen.