Security Center
Safeguarding your personal and financial information is a responsibility taken seriously at Farmers and Miners Bank. You should also remain vigilant against potential identity theft threats. Farmers and Miners Bank will never contact customers requesting information about their Online Banking credentials. Please contact the Bank at 276-546-4692 if you believe you have been a victim of fraud related to your Farmers and Miners Bank account(s) or you receive unusual calls or e-mails claiming to be from Farmers and Miners Bank. This page provides suggestions to help protect your personal information.
Identity theft can happen in may ways, including:
- Stealing your purse or wallet.
- Stealing information from your mail box, such as bank statements or pre-approved credit card applications.
- Skimming or observing your transactions at automated teller machines or store check out terminals to capture your card information and/or personal identification number (PIN)
- Going through trash for credit card receipts or loan applications.
- Phishing attempts to gain personal information through e-mails, text messages, telephone, etc.
- Spyware that hackers use to extract sensitive information from your computer.
Here are a few simple steps to help protect your personal information:
- Do not share your User ID or Password with anyone. Farmers and Miners Bank employees will never need to know your Password. Never furnish it to anyone claiming to represent the Bank.
- Never disclose personal information to anyone who should not have access to your accounts, including information such as: Social Security number, credit card numbers, bank account numbers, or any personal identification numbers (PINs).
- Monitor you account activity through Online Banking. You have direct access to your accounts and transactions 24 hours a day.
- Review monthly financial statements promptly and report any discrepancies immediately. Never ignore suspicious charges on your statements.
- Retain all receipts from ATM, debit and credit card transactions until they have been reconciled to your statements.
- Do not print your driver’s license number or Social Security number on personal checks.
- Report lost or stolen checks or bank cards immediately.
- Store new and cancelled checks in a secure location.
- Memorize your personal identification number (PIN).
- Destroy cards you no longer use, making sure the numbers are not recognizable.
- Shred unnecessary financial documents, including old bank statements.
- Question emails or phone inquiries that appear to be suspicious.
- Never provide your financial information to an unfamiliar website.
If you believe you have been a victim of fraud related to your Farmers and Miners Bank account(s) or you receive unusual calls or e-mails claiming to be from Farmers and Miners Bank, notify a Customer Service Representative (CSR) at the Bank immediately by calling 276-546-4692.
Farmers and Miners Bank invests in the technology and processes to ensure that we provide a secure environment for all of your financial transactions and communications. However, protecting your identity and personal information is a team effort. We recommend that you also take steps to shield yourself and your computer from those who may try to obtain your personal information electronically. Here are some steps you can take to protect yourself in an online environment:
- Create strong passwords, as they are the essential first line of defense.
- Keep Online Banking credentials secure and confidential.
- Be alert to suspicious e-mails. Never open attachments, click on links, or respond to emails from suspicious or unknown senders.
- Be cautious of phishing attempts to gain you personal information.
- Keep your computer operating system up-to-date with current security patches.
- Keep your web browser up-to-date.
- Install, run, and keep anti-virus and other software updated.
- Implement firewall and intrusion detection/prevention software.
- Avoid downloading programs from unknown sources.
- Turn your computer off completely when you are finished using it.
- Conduct Online Banking activities on secure computers only. Due to shared use, public computers should be used with caution.
Debit Card and ATM Safety Tips
Card Security
- Treat your card like cash. Always keep your card in a safe place.
- Keep your “secret code,” or PIN, a secret.
- Report a lost or stolen card at once.
ATM Security
- Observe your surroundings before making a transaction.
- If anyone or anything appears to be suspicious, leave the area at once.
- If an ATM is obstructed from view or poorly lit, go to another ATM.
- Take another person with you when using an ATM, especially at night.
- Minimize time spent at the ATM.
- Stand between the ATM and anyone waiting to use the terminal.
Drive-Up ATM Security
- Keep your doors locked, windows up and engine running while in line.
- Leave enough room between vehicles for a quick exit.
- Before rolling down the window to use an ATM, observe the entire area.
- If anyone or anything appears suspicious, drive away at once.
- If anyone follows you, drive immediately to a crowded, well-lit area and call the police.
Point-of-Sale (POS) Security
- Never let the cashier or anyone else enter your PIN for you.
- Block the view of others when using the POS terminal.
- Be certain the transaction is complete and review your receipt before leaving.
- If you receive cash back from a transaction, put it away before leaving.
In addition to the steps listed above to protect your personal information, here are a few web sites that may also contain helpful information:
