Consumer Resources

First FarmBank wants to help you prevent identity theft and fraud.

At First FarmBank, we work hard to safeguard our customer's information and provide you with the tools needed to protect yourself from identity theft and fraud.

The terms identity theft and identity fraud are used to refer to a wide variety of crimes committed by someone who has wrongfully obtained someone's personal information and used it in a way that involves fraud or deception, typically for economic gain. The Independent Community Bankers of America (ICBA) has released a list of ten safety tips to help consumers protect information and avoid identity theft.

Check your credit report. The Fair Credit Reporting Act requires each of the three national credit reporting companies to provide consumers with a free copy of their credit report once every 12 months (visit www.annualcreditreport.com).

Equifax

1-800-685-1111

 Experian

1-888-397-3742

 Transunion

1-800-888-4213
  • If you bank or pay credit cards online, avoid passwords that include personal information, such as mother's maiden name or date of birth. Instead use something unique that only you know.
  • Don't give out personal information over the phone, through the mail, or on the internet unless you've initiated the contact and are sure you know who you're dealing with. If you must share personal information, confirm that you are dealing with a legitimate organization.
  • Don't use your Social Security Number or your driver's license or other forms of identification.
  • First FarmBank will never ask you to verify personal information over the phone or via email. If you receive a phone call or email asking you to verify information, end the call and do not respond, and call the bank directly.
  • If you receive an email asking for personal information, do not hit the reply button or click on any website link in the email. Instead, go directly to the sender's website by typing in the sender's website address.
  • Protect your personal information. Don't leave sensitive documents containing personal information where anyone can see it.
  • Use a shredder—preferably a cross-cut shredder— before disposing of personal records, especially financial records.
  • When going on vacation, temporarily stop mail delivery. The US Postal Service will hold mail for you.
  • Don't set an automatic login feature on your computer.

Remember the word SCAM

Here's a great way to avoid becoming a victim of identity theft—remember the word SCAM:

S – Stop and think before you give your personal information to anyone
C – Check your financial information regularly
A – Ask periodically for a copy of your credit report
M – Maintain careful records of your banking and financial accounts

What to do if you become the victim of identity theft

If you believe that you have become a victim of identity theft, act immediately to minimize damages.

Contact the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) online, toll-free at 1-877-ID-THEFT (877-438-4338), or TDD at 866-653-4261, or by mail to the Consumer Response Center, FTC, 600 Pennsylvania Avenue, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20580.

You may need to contact other agencies depending on the type of identity theft.

  • If you believe your identity theft was a result of your mail being redirected, contact your local office of the Postal Inspection Service.
  • If your identity was stolen through your social security number, contact the Social Security Administration.  Call 1-800-269-0271 to report fraud.
  • If you believe your identification information in connection with tax violations was used, contact the Internal Revenue Service.  Call 1-800-829-0433 to report violations.
  • Contact First FarmBank at 970-346-7900 or email us at info@firstfarmbank.com.

Protect your personal information online

  • It's important to protect your personal information. To minimize your risk of identity theft, don't share your personal information unless you know how it will be used and protected.
  • Don't reply to or click on links in any email asking for your personal information.
  • Know who you're dealing with. When shopping online, look for a seller's physical address and a working telephone number.
  • Before downloading free software, read the fine print.  Some downloads come with spyware.
  • Use anti-virus and anti-spyware software, as well as a firewall. While many are updated automatically, you may need to update some of them yourself.
  • Make sure your firewall is on and set up properly.
  • Be sure to set up your operating system and web browser software properly and update them regularly. Select security settings high enough to reduce your risk of being hacked. Make sure to regularly update your system with the latest patches.
  • Protect your passwords. Keep your passwords in a secure place, and don't share them on the internet, over email, or on the phone.
  • Back up important files. If you have important files stored on your computer, copy them onto a removable disc, and store it in a safe place.
  • Know who to contact if something goes wrong online. Visit OnGuardOnline.gov and click on "File a Complaint" to learn how to respond if problems occur when you're online.

First FarmBank: Protecting Your Money

In uncertain times as these it is natural for you to have questions about your money. You may even want to seek reassurance that your money is safe. We at First FarmBank want to make sure that you have access to the tools and resources you need to understand how FDIC insurance works.
  • First FarmBank is a member of the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC).
  • The Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) was created in 1933 to provide insurance protection for depositors of failed banks and to help maintain sound conditions in the nation's banking system.
  • The FDIC is an independent agency of the U.S. Government. Since its inception, the FDIC has responded to thousands of bank failures. All insured deposits of failed banks and thrifts have been protected by the FDIC.
  • The FDIC has launched a tool designed to help consumers learn about the benefits and limitations of deposit insurance. Visit https://www.fdic.gov/edie to find how insurance limits apply to your deposit accounts.