Scammers try to create a sense of urgency or fear to get you to act quickly without thinking. They might also make offers that seem too good to be true. It’s important to recognize these warning signs so you can protect yourself.

Common Warning Signs:

• Pressure to Act Immediately: Scammers often say things like “Act now or your account will be closed!” or “This is a limited-time offer!” They don’t want you to have time to think or check with someone you trust.
• Requests for Personal Information via Email or Text: Your bank will never ask for your full account number, password, Social Security number, or other sensitive information through an unsolicited phone call, email or text message.
• Generic Greetings: Watch out for emails that say, “Dear Customer” or “Dear Valued Member” instead of using your name.
• Poor Grammar and Spelling: Scam emails and messages often contain typos and grammatical errors.
• Suspicious Links and Attachments: Be wary of links that don’t match the supposed sender’s website or unexpected attachments. These can install harmful software on your computer or phone.
• Threats or Extortion: Scammers may threaten you with arrest, legal action, or fines if you don’t provide information or send money immediately.
• Too-Good-To-Be-True Offers: If an offer sounds too good to be true (like winning a lottery you didn’t enter or a guaranteed high-return investment with no risk), it’s likely a scam.
• Requests for Unusual Payment Methods: Scammers often ask for payment via gift cards, wire transfers, or cryptocurrency because these methods are hard to trace and recover.

Stay SAFE:

• • Slow Down: If you receive an urgent or threatening message, take a deep breath. Don’t let anyone rush you into making a decision or providing information.
  • Verify Independently: If you get a suspicious message claiming to be from FCN Bank or another company, don’t click any links or call the number provided in the message. Instead, contact us directly using the phone number on your bank statement, the back of your debit card, or the official website.
  • Trust Your Gut: If something feels off or makes you uncomfortable, it’s best to be cautious. It’s okay to hang up, delete an email, or not respond to a text.
  • Never Share Your Passwords or PINs: This information is like the key to your accounts. Keep it secret.

Your personal information, like your Social Security number, account numbers, and passwords, is valuable. Scammers want this information to access your accounts, open new accounts in your name, or commit identity theft. Protecting it is crucial.

Key Information to Protect:

• Social Security number
• Bank account numbers
• Credit and debit card numbers
• Online banking usernames and passwords
• PINs (Personal Identification Numbers)
• Multifactor Authentication Codes
• Date of birth
• Driver’s license number
• Answers to security questions (like your mother’s maiden name)

Stay SAFE:

• Create Strong, Unique Passwords:
  • Use a mix of uppercase and lowercase letters, numbers, and symbols.
  • Long passwords are much harder to guess than short passwords
  • Avoid using easily guessable information like birthdays, names, or common words.
  • Use different passwords for different accounts.  Consider a password manager to help keep track of them.
• Shred Sensitive Documents: Before throwing them away, shred documents that contain personal information, such as bank statements, credit card offers, and old bills. (**Link to shred day page?**)
• Be Careful What You Share Online: Limit the amount of personal information you post on social media. Scammers can use this information to target you or guess your security questions.
• Secure Your Mail: Collect your mail promptly. If you’re going to be away, ask the post office to hold your mail. Consider using a locked mailbox.
• Protect Your Social Security Number: Don’t carry your Social Security card with you unless necessary. Only provide your number when required by a trusted source.
• Monitor Your Accounts: Regularly review your bank and credit card statements for any transactions you don’t recognize. Report suspicious activity immediately.
• Check Your Credit Report: You are entitled to a free credit report from each of the three major credit bureaus (Equifax, Experian, TransUnion) once a year at AnnualCreditReport.com.  Review these reports for any unfamiliar accounts or errors.
• Be Wary of Public Wi-Fi: Avoid accessing sensitive information, like your online banking, when using public Wi-Fi networks (e.g., at restaurants or airports) as they may not be secure.
• Keep Your Devices Secure:
  • Use security software (antivirus, anti-malware) on your computers and mobile devices and keep it updated.
  • Keep your operating system and web browsers updated to the latest versions.
  • Use passcodes or biometric locks (fingerprint, face ID) on your smartphones and tablets.
• Don’t Give Out Information Casually: Never provide personal or financial information over the phone, through email, or via text unless you initiated the contact and are sure you’re dealing with a legitimate organization.

Beyond protecting your information, there are specific actions you can take to safeguard your hard-earned money from scammers and fraudsters.

Stay SAFE:

• Guard Your Debit and Credit Cards:
  • Treat your cards like cash.
  • Don’t lend your card to anyone.
  • Report lost or stolen cards immediately to FCN Bank.
  • When using ATMs, be aware of your surroundings and look for any signs of tampering on the card reader or keypad (skimmers). Shield the keypad when entering your PIN.
•  Be Careful with Checks:
  • Store your checkbook in a safe place.
  • When writing checks, use a pen with non-erasable ink.
  • Don’t sign blank checks.
  • If you order new checks, make sure they arrive. If not, contact the financial institution.
  • Monitor your cashed checks (you can often see images through online banking).
•  Understand Wire Transfers and Peer-to-Peer (P2P) Payments:
  • Sending money via wire transfer or P2P payment apps (like Zelle®, Venmo, Cash App) is like sending cash. Once the money is sent, it’s often very difficult or impossible to get back.
  • Only send money to people you know and trust.
  • Be very suspicious if someone you don’t know asks you to send them money this way, especially if they promise something in return later (like a prize or goods from an online sale).
  • Double-check the recipient’s information (phone number or email address) before sending a P2P payment
• Don’t Fall for Pressure Tactics to Send Money: Scammers want you to act before you think. If someone is pressuring you to send money quickly for any reason, stop and think. Talk to a trusted friend, family member, or FCN Bank before proceeding.
• Be Wary of “Get Rich Quick” Schemes: If an investment promises unusually high returns with little or no risk, it’s likely a scam. Always do your research and consider consulting a trusted financial advisor before investing.
• Protect Yourself from Elder Financial Abuse:
  • If you’re a senior, or have senior loved ones, be aware that scammers often target older adults.
  • Never give control of your finances to someone you’ve just met online or over the phone.
  • Be cautious of new “friends” or “sweethearts” who quickly ask for financial help.
  • Consider appointing a trusted Power of Attorney if you need help managing your finances and discuss it with family and legal counsel.
  • Banks in Indiana and Ohio are mandated reporters for suspected elder financial abuse.
    • In Indiana: If you or someone you know is an older adult and you suspect financial exploitation, please report it to Indiana Adult Protective Services (APS) at 1-800-992-6978 or the Indiana Securities Division (for investment-related fraud) at 317-232-6681. You can also talk to us at FCN Bank.
    • In Ohio: If you or someone you know is an older adult and you suspect financial exploitation, please report it to your county’s Department of Job and Family Services (JFS) which handles Adult Protective Services or call the statewide toll-free number 1-855-OHIO-APS (1-855-644-6277). You can also talk to us at FCN Bank.
    • FDIC Insurance: Remember, your deposits at FCN Bank are insured by the FDIC up to the maximum allowed by law. This protects your money in the unlikely event of bank failure, but it does not protect you from scams where you voluntarily send money to a fraudster.

Online banking is convenient, but it’s important to take steps to protect your accounts from unauthorized access.

Stay SAFE:

• Use a Secure Internet Connection: Avoid using public Wi-Fi for banking. Use your secure home network or your cellular data.
• Access Our Website Directly: Type our bank’s official website address (www.fcnbank.com) directly into your browser or use a bookmark you’ve created. Don’t click on links in emails or text messages that claim to be from a financial institution.
• Look for “HTTPS”: Before logging in, make sure the website address starts with “https://” and that there’s a padlock icon in the browser bar. This means the connection is encrypted and more secure.
• Create Strong, Unique Passwords for Online Banking: As mentioned before, this is your first line of defense. Change your online banking password regularly and make sure they are long and complex, containing upper- and lower-case letters, numbers, and special characters.
• Enable Two-Factor Authentication (2FA) or Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA): If offered, use this extra layer of security. It usually involves entering your password and then a one-time code sent to your phone or email.
• Log Out When Finished: Always log out of your online banking session when you’re done, especially if you’re using a shared computer.
• Monitor Your Account Activity Regularly: Check your transactions frequently for anything suspicious.
• Set Up Account Alerts: FCN Bank may offer alerts for certain activities, like large withdrawals, low balances, or password changes. Sign up for these alerts to stay informed.
• Keep Your Computer and Mobile Devices Updated: Install updates for your operating system, browser, and security software as soon as they’re available. These updates often include patches for security vulnerabilities.
• Be Wary of Unsolicited Communications: Remember, we will not call, email, or text you asking for your login information or other sensitive details.
• Use Our Official Mobile Banking App: If you use mobile banking, download our official app only from trusted app stores (like the Apple App Store or Google Play Store). Be wary of fake banking apps.

Stay SAFE (Act Immediately):

1. Contact FCN Bank Right Away:
   • If your FCN Bank account or card information was compromised, or if you sent money from your FCN Bank account to a scammer, call us immediately at 800-575-3262 or visit your local branch.
   • We can help you secure your accounts, stop payments if possible, and advise you on the next steps.
2. Change Your Passwords/PINs:
   • If you shared your online banking password, or any other password, change it immediately.
   • If you use the same password for other accounts, change those too. It’s best to use unique passwords for each account.
   • Change PINs for any affected debit or credit cards.
3. Report the Scam to Relevant Authorities:
   • Federal Trade Commission (FTC): Report the scam at ReportFraud.ftc.gov. The FTC uses these reports to track scam trends and help law enforcement.
   • Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3): If the scam occurred online, report it to the FBI’s IC3 at ic3.gov.
   • State Attorney General:
     • Indiana: Report scams to the Indiana Attorney General’s Consumer Protection Division. Visit their website (www.in.gov/attorneygeneral) for information on how to file a complaint or call them at 1-800-382-5516.
     • Ohio: Report scams to the Ohio Attorney General’s Office. Visit their website (www.ohioprotects.org) for information on how to file a complaint or call them at 1-800-282-0515.
   • Local Law Enforcement: Report the scam to your local police or sheriff’s department, especially if you know the scammer or have lost a significant amount of money. Get a copy of the police report, as you may need it.
   • Social Security Administration (SSA): If your Social Security number was compromised, contact the SSA at 1-800-772-1213.
   • Adult Protective Services (APS):
     • Indiana: If the victim is an older adult or an endangered adult in Indiana, report financial exploitation to APS at 1-800-992-6978.
     • Ohio: If the victim is an older adult in Ohio, report financial exploitation to your county’s Department of Job and Family Services (JFS) or call the statewide toll-free number 1-855-OHIO-APS (1-855-644-6277).
4. Place a Fraud Alert or Credit Freeze on Your Credit Reports:
   • Fraud Alert: Contact one of the three major credit bureaus (Equifax, Experian, TransUnion). That bureau will notify the other two. A fraud alert makes it harder for someone to open new credit in your name. It’s free and lasts for one year (or longer for identity theft victims).
   • Credit Freeze (Security Freeze): This restricts access to your credit report, making it much harder for identity thieves to open new accounts in your name. You’ll need to contact each of the three credit bureaus individually. It’s free to place and lift a freeze.
5. Review Your Credit Reports: Once you’ve placed a fraud alert, you’re entitled to free copies of your credit reports. Review them carefully for any accounts or inquiries you don’t recognize.
6. Keep Records: Save any emails, messages, receipts, and notes about your conversations related to the scam. This information can be helpful for investigations.
7. Don’t Blame Yourself: Scammers are professionals. Their tactics are designed to trick smart, careful people. Focus on taking steps to recover and protect yourself moving forward.
8. Beware of Recovery Scams: Sometimes, after you’ve been scammed, you might be contacted by someone claiming they can help you get your money back – for a fee. This is often another scam. Be very cautious.

Contact Information for Credit Bureaus:

• Equifax: 1-800-525-6285 | equifax.com
• Experian: 1-888-EXPERIAN (397-3742) | experian.com
• TransUnion: 1-800-680-7289 | transunion.com

Remember, FCN Bank is here to help. If you ever have a question about a potential scam or feel your account information might be at risk, please don’t hesitate to contact us.