New security feature
For your protection, we have added another security feature to our internet banking product called a watermark. When you login, you will be prompted to select an image. This image will then be displayed upon each login as well as in the lower left corner of the account listing page. You can change this image at any time. The watermark (image) will confirm that you are on our site as opposed to being redirected to a copy-cat site.

Your online security has always been a top priority at Farmers State Bank. To protect the privacy and the security of your personal information, we are adding an additional layer of security to protect you from fraud. This new security feature will detect any unusual behavior involving your accounts or your computer. If anything out of the ordinary is detected, we will verify your identity by asking challenge questions that the system has previously asked you to set up.

This new security feature will allow us to identify your computer. Typically you will access our website from your work or home computer. Our security software will remember these computers preventing potential crooks from logging into your account even if they acquire your ID and password. If you should login to your account from a different computer, such as a winter location or an Internet café, we will take extra steps to verify your identity by asking challenge questions that you have already set up. Likewise, we will track your internet account activity and prompt you to verify your identity if you attempt transactions that are out of the normal range.

Please remember, Farmers State Bank will not call you or send you an email requesting personal account information such as an account number or personal identification number (PIN). Do not reply to emails or give out this type of information over the telephone unless you have initiated the call. It is also important to access our website by typing our URL address in your internet browser instead of accessing our website by clicking on a link within an email. Below are some important scams you need to be aware of:

Phishing
In a typical phishing scam, you will receive an email that appears to come from a reputable company that you recognize and do business with, such as your financial institution. This email could appear to be on company letterhead or contain an actual company logo. The email will probably warn you of a serious problem that requires your immediate attention. It may use phrases such as “Immediate attention required” or “Please contact us immediately about your account.” The email will then encourage you to click on a button to go to the institution’s website. In a phishing scam, you could be redirected to a phony website that may look exactly like the real thing. Sometimes it may be the company’s actual website. In those cases, a pop-up window will quickly appear for the purpose of harvesting your financial information. In any case, you may be asked to update your account information or to provide information for verification purposes: your Social Security number, your account number, your password, or the information you use to verify your identity when speaking to a real financial institution, such as your mother’s maiden name or your place of birth. If you provide the requested information, you may find yourself the victim of identity theft.

Pharming
Pharming is a scamming practice in which malicious code is installed on a personal computer or server, misdirecting users to fraudulent websites without their knowledge or consent. Spam filters typically do not provide users with protection against pharming, as pharming is not perpetrated through the spreading of spam emails. Please avoid clicking on links within emails and opening emails from persons you do not recognize. Only visit trusted websites and beware of copy-cat sites.

Please notify us immediately at 260-463-7111 or 888-492-7111 if you notice any suspicious activity on your accounts. It is a good idea to review your monthly account statements or view your account history on our online banking often to make sure all your transactions are correct.