We Take Your Privacy Seriously

Whether you bank online, in person or over the phone, we’re constantly working to protect you from criminal activity. Read below to learn more about fraud—and what to do in case you become a victim.
We will never ask for your Online Banking username or password, account number, Personal Identification Number (PIN) or Social Security number in an email.
If you have any questions regarding how First Southern handles your nonpublic personal information, you may contact us in writing at First Southern National Bank, P.O. Box 328, Stanford, Kentucky  40484, or call us toll-free at 866-602-3762.

To report fraud, please call us immediately at 1-866-602-3762.

Learn

Keeping Your Information Secure

Your account and transactions are privileged information, which makes security First Southern’s top priority. Our online services utilize firewall and encryption technology that exceeds industry standards, ensuring that your transactions are executed in privacy.

Our Track Record

First Southern National Bank systems have not been compromised as a result of these scams; however, it is important to be aware of these fraudulent emails and to protect your personal and financial information.

What You Need To Know

Cybercriminals change their tactics often to avoid detection and to increase their chances of obtaining usable information. As such, we must always remain vigilant in educating ourselves on the latest trends in fraud.

Online Fraud

Online fraud occurs when someone obtains your personally identifiable information without your permission and conducts unauthorized transactions on your account(s). Personally identifiable information includes, but is not limited to, your name, social security number, account numbers or login information.

10 Things You Can Do to Avoid Fraud

Information Security

We have taken a number of measures to protect you and ensure your personal and account information is kept confidential

More Information

Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) is an electronic authentication method where a user is granted access to a website or application only after successfully presenting two or more pieces of evidence (or factors) to an authentication mechanism.  This extra level of authentication helps protect you from an unknown person trying to access your data.

Enhanced Login Security identifies you as the true owner of your accounts by recognizing not only your password but your computer as well. If your computer is not recognized – you have logged in from a public computer or one you haven’t used before – you will be asked a self-chosen challenge question as an additional line of defense to prevent unauthorized access. You will also be presented with a welcome phrase and photo of your choosing when you log in. If either of these are not present or not accurate, please contact us. Enhanced Login Security protects you no matter what computer you are using – at home, at work or on the go.

We will never ask for your Online Banking username or password, account number, Personal Identification Number (PIN) or Social Security number in an email.

If you receive an email asking for such confidential information, please follow these steps:

  • Do not respond to the email
  • Call us at 866-602-3762
  • We may ask you to forward a copy of the email. The email may be useful in identifying the culprit and help us to minimize the impact on other customers.

  • Phishing: Phishing was originally described as email attacks designed to steal online banking credentials, but has evolved to include almost any email-based attack. These attacks rely on social engineering techniques, including using phony emails or websites, to convince victims into taking action. Also referred to as vishing, smishing and pharming. Learn more
    Phishing attacks may also appear to come from other types of organizations, such as charities. Attackers often take advantage of current events and certain times of the year, such as

    • natural disasters
    • epidemics and health scares
    • economic concerns
    • major political elections
    • holidays
  • Malware and Scareware: Malicious software that is intended to damage or disable computers and computer systems. Sometimes scare tactics are used by the perpetrators to solicit funds from victims.
  • Ransomware: Ransomware is a type of malware targeting weaknesses in networks in an effort to deny the availability of critical data and/or systems. Ransomware is frequently delivered through spear phishing emails to end users, resulting in the rapid encryption of sensitive files on a corporate network. When the victim organization determines they are no longer able to access their data, the cyber perpetrator demands the payment of a ransom, typically in virtual currency such as Bitcoin, at which time the actor will purportedly provide an avenue to the victim to regain access to their data.
  • Credit Card Fraud: Credit card fraud is the unauthorized use of a credit or debit card, or similar payment tool (ACH, EFT, recurring charge, etc.), to fraudulently obtain money or property. Credit and debit card numbers can be stolen from unsecured websites or can be obtained in an identity theft scheme.
  • Data Breach: A leak or spill of data which is released from a secure location to an untrusted environment. Data breaches can occur at the personal and corporate levels and involve sensitive, protected, or confidential information that is copied, transmitted, viewed, stolen, or used by an individual unauthorized to do so.

National Alerts
Kentucky Alerts

Prevent

While there are lots of criminals trying to steal and benefit from consumers, there are ways to avoid becoming a victim.

We will never ask for your Online Banking username or password, account number, Personal Identification Number (PIN) or Social Security number in an email.

If you receive an email asking for such confidential information, please follow these steps:

  • Do not respond to the email
  • Call us at 866-602-3762
  • We may ask you to forward a copy of the email. The email may be useful in identifying the culprit and help us to minimize the impact on other customers.

More Information

  • Think Before You Link is an easy-to-remember phrase that will help you to remember to check and verify links on websites and in emails before clicking them. Hover over a link before clicking to see it’s true destination and decide if it’s legitimate. Look for emails that may ask you to fill in your information, but doesn’t specifically contain your email or name. When in doubt, go directly to the source rather than clicking a potentially dangerous link.
  • Check Your Online Accounts regularly to monitor activity. Even if you don’t use an account often, it’s good practice to personally check for unauthorized access and transactions on a regular basis.
  • Be Wary of Pop-Ups as they are commonly used to masquerade as legitimate components of a website. Many popular web browsers allow you to block pop-ups, so consider taking advantage of this safeguard.
  • Never Give Out Personal Information. As a general rule, you should never share personal or financially sensitive information over the Internet or email. When in doubt, call the company in doubt directly to verify. Use extreme caution when making confidential entries through links provided in emails, especially when unsolicited or unexpected. Never send an email with sensitive information to anyone. Email is not a secure method of communication.

Keep your passwords in a secure place, and out of plain view. Don’t share your passwords on the Internet, over email or on the phone. We will never ask for your password. Here are a few password best practices:

  • Use passwords that have at least eight characters and include numbers and symbols (like !@#$%^&*)
  • Avoid common words: some hackers use programs that can try every word in the dictionary
  • Don’t use your personal information, your login name or adjacent keys on the keyboard (like qwerty) as passwords
  • Change your passwords regularly (at least every 60 days), and use a different password for each online account you access.
  • Keep your computer’s operating system up to date. If your computer is more than five years old, its operating system (e.g. Windows Vista, Mac OS 9, etc.) may not offer the same level of protection as newer systems. Operating system manufacturers provide frequent updates to help make your system more secure. These are usually applied automatically through email or via your Internet connection. You may also check their web sites, including:
    • For Windows: microsoft.com/security
    • For Apple Mac OS: apple.com/support

Add an extra layer of protection to your account and add multi-factor authentication by clicking here to request access. Need help? Use this step-by-step guide.

We’re continually upgrading and improving our online services and need your help in keeping your information secure. For computers, this includes web browsers, the software used to connect to the Internet. If left unattended to, web browsers can become unsuitable for sensitive transactions such as Internet banking. In order to maintain a high level of security, First Southern National Bank does not allow access to online banking using browsers that do not meet our security criteria.

Use a Trusted Anti-Virus Solution to protect personal computers, tablets and smartphones. The number of options can be daunting. Do your own research, ask your tech-savvy friend or find a local, reputable computer business to find the best fit for your personal situation.

Enable a firewall to provide an additional layer of protection. Firewalls act as a buffer between you, your computer and outside intruders.

Act

Report Email Fraud

If you receive a deceptive email, such as a message phishing for your information, forward it to the party wrongfully being impersonated. If the phishing email appears to be from First Southern National Bank, call us immediately at 866-602-3762.

  • Contact Us
    • Report fraudulent activity on your First Southern accounts by calling us at 866-602-3762.
  • Contact the Credit Bureaus
    • Ask any of the credit reporting companies to put a fraud alert on your credit report. When one credit reporting company is put on alert, they are required to alert the other two. An initial fraud alert can make it harder for an identity thief to open more accounts in your name. The alert lasts 90 days but you can renew it.
      • Equifax: 1-800-525-6285 or equifax.com
      • Experian: 1-888-397-3742 or experian.com
      • TransUnion: 1-800-680-7289 or transunion.com
  • Contact other creditors. Contact any other creditors, including credit card and phone companies, banks and other lenders, to notify them of potential fraud. Always follow up any telephone conversations with a letter. Close any accounts that have been compromised and reopen them with new account numbers and passwords.
  • File a report with the local police. Contact your local police department if you suspect that your personal information was stolen. A police report will lend weight to your case when dealing with creditors who may require proof of criminal activity.
  • Report the criminal activity to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC). Call the toll-free hotline at 1-877-ID THEFT (1-877-438-4338) to speak with a trained identity theft counselor. Or enter information about your complaint into a secure FTC online database at consumer.gov/idtheft. Your information may be shared with other law enforcement agencies investigating identity theft.
  • Contact other agencies as appropriate:
    • Postal Inspection Service at usps.com. If you believe your mail was stolen or redirected, notify the Postal Inspector or Postmaster at your local post office.
    • Social Security Fraud Hotline at 1-800-269-0271. If you suspect someone is using your Social Security number for fraudulent purposes, call the hotline.
    • Department of Motor Vehicles office at dmv.org. If you believe someone is trying to get a driver’s license or identification card using your name and information, contact your local DMV.
    • Carefully review all your accounts. Since identity theft takes time to completely resolve, you should continue to carefully review all charges and transactions appearing on account statements and online. Any discrepancies should be reported immediately.

If you think you’re a victim of identity theft

If you believe you are a victim of identity theft, consider using the checklist from https://www.identitytheft.gov/#/, the federal government’s resource for identity theft victims. This site provides streamlined checklists that guide you through the recovery process.

First Class Checking Account Holders

First Class Checking account holders have 24/7, 365 days per year access to qualified Identity Theft Restoration Privacy Advocates who will provide comprehensive, personalized recovery services to restore your identity and prevent future incidences of identity theft. To access this benefit, visit the First Class Benefits website and login using your First Class Benefits credentials you received at account opening. Alternatively, you may call member services at 888-424-4186.