What to know about Identity Theft
U.S. Federal Trade Commission on I.D. Theft
Protect your personal or banking information!
Keep your Debit card and its Personal Identification Number (PIN) to yourself. No one ever needs to know your PIN, not even your financial institution. Memorize your PIN and never write it on your card or store it with your card. Never let a cashier, teller or other stranger enter your PIN for you.
You should always safeguard all of your personal information. Unfortunately, fraudulent calls, text messages, emails, and letters are very common in today’s world. Many unscrupulous fraudsters will attempt to gain your personal information including:
- Social Security Number
- Birthdate
- Account number
- Credit/Debit Card number
- Mother's maiden name
First National Bank has a policy that we will not contact you via email, text or telephone to request your personal information. If you are already a First National Bank customer we will have already gathered the information directly from you. Please DO NOT RESPOND to any email, text or phone call that appears to be from First National Bank (or anyone) that is requesting you personal information such as your Social Security Number, Account number, Debit/Credit Card number, etc. Please contact us at one of our branches with any questions you may have. During banking hours call: (870)215-4000.
Lost or Stolen Debit Card?
Call our LOST/STOLEN Card Center at 1-888-297-3416 if your Debit Card is ever compromised. The center is available 24 hours a day with trained staff. During the call you will be asked to provide your name, address and phone number. You will not be required to provide your card number although it may be helpful in certain cases. The representative can place a “BLOCKED” status on your debit card to prevent any future uses of that card. The representative (at the number above) cannot assist you with other card issues nor can they see any transactions or account balances.
During banking hours you may contact a Customer Service Representative at 1-870-215-4000 to report a lost or stolen card or if you need transaction information. If you need to have your card re-issued you may come in one of our branches during business hours. We can generally re-issue a debit card immediately in any of our branches.
KNOW your Debit Card's PIN (Personal Identification Number)
You should always know the Personal Identification Number (PIN) for your Debit Card. If you do not know your PIN then please bring your card in to any First National Bank branch and see a CSR who can allow you to select your own PIN that will be known ONLY by you. You may also change your debit card's PIN at any time by seeing a CSR. Due to fraudulent activity we are often required to place a block on "non-PIN" debit card transactions. If we take this measure, it is for the purpose of preventing unauthorized transactions.
Knowing your PIN will allow you to complete your debit transactions. Thank you for understanding and for knowing your debit card PIN number.
Traveling?
To assure worry-free travel, please inform us of your plans to use your First National Bank Debit or Credit MasterCard while traveling. Just come by or call us at 870-215-4000.
Identity Theft - Phishing - Social Engineering
Identity theft is a real threat to everyone who uses a phone, a computer, or other electronic device. The two terms “Phishing” and “social engineering” both refer to the fraudulent practice of sending email (or other messaging) purporting to be from reputable companies. Phishing or social engineering messages attempt to make YOU a victim of Identity Theft. Phishing attempts are fraudulent messages intended to induce you to reveal your personal information, such as: passwords, account numbers, credit card numbers, Social Security number, etc. Please be vigilant and alert to protect your personal and financial information. Phishing attempts can appear credible and often sound very convincing. These attempts are frequently transmitted to virtually everyone, so you should not be surprised to receive one. However, you should never respond to one. Phishing attempts are sent by various means, such as: email, text messages, social media, phone calls, etc. You should always be certain of who you are dealing with, especially when a message or phone call is received from anyone you do not know. Sometimes authentic looking company logos will be used in a phishing attempt. Be aware that a bank or company with whom you have already an established account, will not contact you to verify your account number(s), password or any of your personal inform. You should only deal with people that you know are truly representing the organization with which you have established account(s). If a caller (or a message) is requesting you to provide personal information, then you should hang-up (or ignore the message). If you are uncertain about the message, then you should refer back to the contact information for the bank or company that your first received back when you established your account. By contacting the company directly, you may confirm the truthfulness of any concern that may have been presented to you by the questionable (phishing) call or message you received.
Again, please never provide your personal information to someone who calls you on the phone or sends you a message via email, text, social media or various electronic means. Your personal information should always be kept confidential.
Feel free to call us during business hours at 870-215-4000.
The United States Federal Trade Commission provides some excellent resources on Identity Theft at: https://www.consumer.ftc.gov/features/feature-0014-identity-theft
