Fraud Prevention and Cyber Security

Banking fraud encompasses a variety of tactics employed by individuals or groups to deceive and exploit customers. Here are some common types of banking fraud:

• Identity Theft: Criminals steal personal information, such as Social Security numbers, bank account details, or credit card information, to impersonate someone else and carry out fraudulent transactions.
• Check Fraud: Involves the use of counterfeit or stolen checks to make unauthorized transactions, often leading to financial losses for both individuals and banks.
• ATM Skimming: Criminals install devices on ATMs to capture card information and PINs. The stolen data is then used to create cloned cards or make unauthorized withdrawals.
• Phishing: Fraudsters use fake emails, websites, or phone calls to trick individuals into providing sensitive information, like usernames, passwords, or credit card details.
• Wire Fraud: Fraudulent schemes where criminals trick individuals or businesses into wiring money to fraudulent accounts. This can happen through email scams or compromised business email accounts.
• Credit Card Fraud: Unauthorized use of credit or debit card information to make purchases or withdraw funds. This can occur through stolen cards, skimming devices, or online hacking.
• Account Opening Fraud: Criminals use stolen or fake identities to open new bank accounts, often with the intention of using them for illegal activities.

It’s important for individuals to be vigilant, regularly monitor their accounts, and report any suspicious activity to First State Bank Nebraska immediately.

Safeguard your privacy with these fraud prevention tips:

• Do not share your User ID or Password with anyone. First State will NEVER ask for your personal information through email.
• Install antivirus software and keep it updated.
• Never respond to, click any link in, or open an attachment in an email that requests information about your accounts.
• Pay close attention to the URL (internet address) behind the link. Often in phishing attempts, if you hover the cursor over the link the fraudsters wants you to click on, it has nothing to do with the actual company they claim to be or the company name will be spelled wrong.
• Select a PIN that you can easily remember. Never keep your PIN written down in your wallet, purse or on the debit card itself.
• Be aware of devices designed to steal information from ATMs. If you notice the keypad seems to protrude oddly from the surface around it, or you can see an odd color change between the pad and the ATM, it could be an ATM skimmer capturing your information.
• Cover the keypad when entering your PIN to prevent hidden cameras from accessing your information.
• Check your account regularly. Contact First State immediately of any questionable or unauthorized account activity.

As a trusted financial partner, First State Bank Nebraska understands the critical importance of cybersecurity for businesses. This guide is tailored to help you fortify your digital defenses ensuring the security of your financial assets and sensitive data.

• Conduct a Comprehensive Risk Assessment: Initiate a thorough risk assessment to identify potential vulnerabilities in your business's digital infrastructure. Evaluate financial systems, client databases, and employee practices to pinpoint areas of potential cyber risk.
• Monitor Account Activity: Set up alerts for suspicious transactions, irregular login attempts, or any unusual behavior that may indicate a potential security threat.
• Strengthen Network Security: Implement robust network security measures, including firewalls and intrusion detection systems. Regularly update and patch software to address vulnerabilities and ensure a secure digital environment for financial operations.
• Data Backup and Recovery: Implement regular data backups and store them in a secure, offsite location. This helps in case of data loss due to cyberattacks or system failures.
• Establish Secure Communication Protocols: Clearly define and enforce secure communication protocols within your organization. Encourage encrypted email communications and utilize secure channels when sharing sensitive financial information.
• Employee Training: Educate your employees on cybersecurity best practices, including strong password policies, recognizing phishing attempts, and the importance of keeping sensitive information secure.
• Stay Informed about Financial Cyber Threats: Stay informed about the latest cyber threats targeting the financial sector. Read our blogs, participate in webinars, engage with our bank’s cybersecurity resources to stay ahead of emerging risks.

By following these tailored cybersecurity measures, your business can enhance its resilience against cyber threats, ensuring the safety and security of your financial transactions.

Discover a variety of cybersecurity tips to help safeguard your digital presence and protect against emerging threats.

• Use Password-Protect – Make sure that your devices require a password and lock your device when you step away from it. This ensures that you are the only one who can log in to your device and access private information.
• Manage Your Passwords – Avoid writing down your passwords.  Make sure your passwords are unique for each site. If you use the help of a password manager, you can check and change any weak passwords.
• Don’t Over-Share – Don’t share your login credentials with anyone- friends, family or coworkers. Consider configuring your social media accounts so that only your friends can see your posts and limit the amount of personal profile information that is publicly visible.
• Keep Malware Out – Ensure that your device has antivirus protection and avoid downloading pirated movies or music. Even if you are on a legitimate site, these things can expose you to malware.
• Don’t Be Fooled – Be cautious of text messages or emails claiming you’ve won a big reward or ask for personal information.  Be aware of phishing messages that pretend to be from a trusted site. If you are unsure whether the message is valid, navigate to the site yourself and check it out, or phone the relevant department; do not click on any links.
• Beware of Insecure Networks – If you use an institution’s network or free Wi-Fi, your connection could be open to snooping by other users. A VPN (Virtual Private Network) utility will both protect your connection and let you surf anonymously.
• Secure Your Phone – Set up a lock screen using a PIN, swipe code, facial recognition or anything your phone supports. Remember, your phone contains contacts, photos and other personal information you don’t want leaked.

We prioritize the security of your personal information and want to assure you that we will never request personal information through email. Our commitment is to safeguard our customers, and you can trust that your privacy is our utmost priority.

We employ a variety of measures to protect our customers’ information and ensure the security of financial transactions. Here are some common methods:

• Encryption: We use encryption protocols to secure the transmission of data over networks, ensuring that sensitive information remains confidential during online transactions and communications.
• Two-Factor Authentication (2FA): Implementing 2FA adds an extra layer of security by requiring customers to provide two forms of identification.
• Regular Security Audits: We conduct regular security audits and assessments to identify vulnerabilities and ensure our systems meet or exceed industry security standards.
• Customer Education: We often educate our customers about safe online practices, phishing awarenesses, and the importance of regularly updating passwords to enhance overall security.
• Secure Mobile Banking App: Our mobile banking app implements security features such as secure logins, biometric authentication, and data encryption to protect customer information on mobile devices.
• Employee Training: We invest in ongoing training for employees to raise awareness about cybersecurity threats, emphasizing the importance of handling customer information securely and responsibly.

By employing a combination of these security measures and more, we aim to create a robust and resilient defense against various cyber threats, ultimately safeguarding our customers’ personal information.

Click here to view our privacy policy.

We have taken proactive steps to enhance the customer journey by providing additional resources for you to use.

• Additional Resources for Businesses
  • Protecting your Small Business from Cyber-Attacks | First State Bank Nebraska (1fsb.bank)
  • Cybersecurity for Small Business | Federal Trade Commission (ftc.gov)
  • BBB Business Tip: Cybersecurity business resources
  • Strengthen your cybersecurity | U.S. Small Business Administration (sba.gov)
  • Cyber Guidance for Small Businesses | CISA
• Additional Resources for Consumers
  • 10 Tips For Safe Online Shopping | First State Bank Nebraska (1fsb.bank)
  • Identity Theft | Consumer Advice (ftc.gov)
  • Cybersecurity Best Practices | Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency CISA
  • Internet Crime Complaint Center(IC3) | Home Page
  • FDIC: Cybersecurity Resources