Online Security Tips

Online Banking Security

At The Bank of Elk River, the security of customer information is a priority. We are strongly committed to the safety and confidentiality of your records.  
The Bank of Elk River will continue to enhance and maintain prudent security standards and procedures to protect against unauthorized access or use of your nonpublic personal information and records. 
We will never email, call, or otherwise ask you for your username, password or other electronic banking credentials.
To help protect your personal information, please consider the following tips:

• Choose strong and unique passwords and change often. Use a mix of uppercase, lowercase, numbers, and special characters. Never share your password with anyone. Use multifactor authentication. If you think your Bank of Elk River online banking password has been compromised, change it immediately and then contact the bank at 763-441-1000.
• Keep your browser and anti-virus software up to date with the latest version on the devices you use to conduct financial transactions.
• Log out of online banking sessions when you are done with your transaction using the log out feature. 
• Monitor your account activity regularly. Sign up for electronic statements, direct deposits, and Bill Pay for convenient and secure paperless options. If you find any unauthorized transactions, report them to the bank immediately at 763-441-1000.

For additional information on online privacy and security visit https://consumer.ftc.gov/identity-theft-and-online-security/online-privacy-and-security

Debit Card Fraud

• If your ATM/Debit card is lost or stolen, contact the bank immediately at 763-441-1000 and/or sign into Digital Banking and lock your card immediately. To do so, navigate to the Card Management section, select the card/account you want to lock, click on the Active toggle button, and choose Lock card. Once your card has been found, reverse these steps. If your card cannot be located, call our Customer Support at 763-241-8522 for assistance.
• Monitor your account transactions and call the bank to report fraudulent charges right away, quick action can limit misuse. In the Card Management section of your online banking account, you may manage notification settings and protection options within the Alerts and protections section of your card/account.
• Sign up for electronic banking to get secure online access to your account day or night.

Identity Theft

Identity theft occurs when someone uses your personal identifying information, such as your name, Social Security number or debit/credit card number, without your permission, to commit fraud or other crimes. The Federal Trade Commission has online guidance about the steps consumers can take to protect themselves against identity theft. For more information about identity theft, visit https://www.ftc.gov/
Tips to protect yourself:

• Shred documents no longer needed that contain personal identifying information, like bank statements, unused checks, credit card statements, pay stubs and receipts.
• Don’t give your personal information on the phone, through the mail or over the internet unless you’ve initiated the contact, or you can confirm that the individual and company are legitimate.
• Review your credit reports frequently to ensure the information is up to date and accurate. Work with the credit reporting agencies to have any inaccurate information removed.
• Frequently monitor your financial accounts and report any suspected fraudulent transaction immediately.

If you fall victim to identity theft, act immediately to protect yourself. Alert your financial institution. Place fraud alerts on your credit files.

The Bank of Elk River encourages you to help us protect your information and to keep your information accurate. If you think your Bank of Elk River account information could be at risk, or if you believe that any of your information is not accurate, please call us at 763-241-8522 or toll free at 1-888-293-2265.
 

Fraud Awareness

Four Signs that It’s a Scam
Scammers pretend to be from an organization you know
Impersonation Scams are one of the most used scams out there. These scams are designed to be hard to spot. You may think that the call you are receiving has the right caller ID. But technology makes phone numbers easy to fake. 

1. Scammers say there’s a problem or a prize
2. Someone may impersonate the electric company or a government entity saying you’re in trouble or have late payments. Others may lie to you and say you won money in a lottery but need to pay something to get it.
3. Scammers pressure you to act immediately.
4. Scammers want you to act before you think and will do whatever they can to keep you on the phone. They create a sense of urgency.
5. Scammers tell you to pay in a specific way
6. They may try to get you to activate and use your bank Zelle account to transfer money; they may ask for you to wire money with specific instructions, or they may ask you to purchase gift cards and then give them the number on the back of the cards.

How to Avoid a Scam

Don’t give your personal or financial information in response to a request that you didn’t expect or initiate.
The Bank of Elk River will not call, email, or text, asking for personal information, like your Social Security, bank account, or debit card numbers.

•  If you get a phone call, email, or text claiming to be from the Bank of Elk River, hang up and contact us at 763.441.1000.
• Resist pressure to act immediately.
• Know how scammers tell you to pay. Never pay someone who insists you pay with cryptocurrency, Zelle, wire transfers, or with gift cards.
• Stop and talk to someone you trust before you do anything else.

For more information, visit https://consumer.ftc.gov/articles/how-avoid-scam

Report Scams Immediately
If you were scammed or think you’ve been scammed, contact us immediately at 763.441.1000. 

Helpful Links

• Impersonation Scams
• Business Email Compromise Scams
• Romance Scams
• Consumer Financial Protection Bureau – Frauds and Scams
• A Cybersecutiy Guide For Businesses
• Avoiding Counerfeit Check Fraud
• Stay Secure Online