Category: Cyber Security

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Cybersecurity Tips for Your Elderly Loved Ones

When it comes to older individuals, cybersecurity is something that can be commonly overlooked. Instead of hoping for the best, it’s important that we take steps to educate those who might not know how to spot cybercriminal activity. Here are some important things to remind your elderly loved ones: 

Even if an email looks legitimate, there’s still a chance it isn’t. 

Cybercriminals do a great job masking their identities by making emails and messages look like they’re coming from a reliable source. This can be tricky for people to differentiate, so make sure your elderly loved one knows that not all emails and messages are reliable, even if it looks like it. If they’re using the name of someone you know, always check with that person to make sure. If they’re using the name of a retail store, financial institution or other business, you can call that place and see if the message you received is really from them. 

If you’re making online purchases, use your credit card. 

Credit cards tend to be much safer than debit cards when you’re making purchases online because there’s better fraud protection. Encourage them to keep a close eye on their banking activity as well, especially if they aren’t alerted when purchases are made. Check with their financial institution to see if you can set up bank alerts so they’re notified whenever a purchase is made. This will give both you and your elderly loved one peace of mind. 

Keep your software updated. 

Not everyone understands the purpose or importance of keeping your software up to date, but cybersecurity is a big reason. These updates often include critical patches to security holes along with enhanced features. 

Shop on reliable websites that you know are real. 

There are countless websites out there, many of which are designed to scam you and take your money without sending you an actual product. It can be tricky to figure out which websites are real and reliable and which ones aren’t. Teach your loved one that the best choice is to only make purchases from websites that you know are real, have purchased from before or know someone who has purchased from them successfully. 

When it comes to cybersecurity, it’s always better to be safe than sorry. 

At the end of the day, it’s always better to take the safe route when it comes to cybersecurity. Continue to remind your aging loved one that it’s better to skip out on a supposed “great deal” than have your card information compromised by a website that is unfamiliar. Play it safe, delete unknown emails, avoid clicking on links from unknown senders, be careful what you download and always safeguard your financial information. 

These are reminders that should continue to be mentioned to your elderly loved ones as time goes on. Cybersecurity is extremely important, so we hope this helps you and the people you care about the most! 

Peoples Bank & Trust Co.

Member FDIC

Equal Housing Lender

Online Shopping

Stay Safe While Online Christmas Shopping

With the holidays right around the corner and online shopping more popular this year than ever before, it’s important to keep online safety measures in mind. To avoid issues like identity theft, hacking and financial fraud, check out these important online safety tips.

Always Ship to a Safe Place

Don’t be a victim of porch thieves who steal packages from doorsteps. Make sure someone is home when your package is delivered so it’s not sitting outside for too long. If you won’t be home over the expected delivery date, ship your items to your office or a family member’s house.

Make Sure the Retailer is Who They Say They Are

Some online retailers claim to be selling all the products you want for cheap, but in reality, they just want your credit card information. It’s never a great idea to buy from an unfamiliar retailer, but if you do, make sure you do your research beforehand. Check out customer reviews and consumer feedback first.

Is It Too Good to Be True?

There are always those exciting moments while online shopping when you think you found exactly what you need at the lowest price you’ve ever seen. If the deal seems way too good to be true, there’s a good chance it is. It’s better to spend a little more through a trusted retailer than to give your personal information to an unfamiliar site.

Beware of Public Wi-Fi

Using free public Wi‐Fi is a dangerous game when you’re online shopping. The public airwaves allow hackers to potentially intercept the data you’re sending online, such as your credit card info, name and address.

Don’t Overshare

Some customers have run into situations where a shopping website asks for personal information beyond what’s necessary, such as a social security number. No retailer will ever ask you for your SSN, so if you run into that problem, close the browser and find a more reliable website to purchase from.

Check Your Bank Account

Depending on how crazy you go with your online purchases this year, your bank or credit card statements might be a little longer than normal. Make sure you still go through and check for any fraudulent charges so that they don’t get lost in the other purchases.

Peoples Bank & Trust Co. wishes you the happiest of holidays and we hope your online shopping experience goes smoothly with the help of this information. Visit our website to learn more about the financial services we offer!

Peoples Bank & Trust Co.

Member FDIC

Equal Housing Lender

cybersecurity

Cybersecurity Advice for Retirees

It’s been proven that senior citizens are a much easier target for hackers because older folks didn’t grow up in the current world of technology. Whether you’re a senior looking for some advice or you have an older loved one who you want to look out for, these cybersecurity tips are important for everyone to remember.

Don’t Overshare Information

Social media is a great way to stay connected to family and friends, especially if they don’t live nearby. Keep in mind that what you post online is public for the world to see, so just call or text someone directly if you’re sharing personal
information.

Be Careful Online Shopping

If you’re online shopping and a retailer asks for unnecessary information, be cautious. Keep in mind that no online store will ever ask for your social security number. Also, it’s not a great idea to buy from an unfamiliar retailer, so do your research beforehand and check reviews to make sure the seller is legit.

Use Strong Passwords

As nice as it is to have an easy‐to‐remember password, it also makes it much easier for someone to hack your account. If remembering multiple strong passwords gets difficult, you can use a password manager. Make sure your password:

  • Doesn’t include personal information
  • Includes numbers, special characters, upper and lowercase letters
  • Isn’t too short

Beware of Public Wi-Fi

Using free public Wi‐Fi is convenient but can be a bit dangerous depending on what you’re doing. The public airwaves
allow hackers to potentially intercept the data you’re sending online. This can include intercepting data such as your
credit card info, name and address, so play it safe and use your home Wi‐Fi network for things like that.

Be Cautious with Emails

Spam emails are usually easy to point out, but phishing is where it gets tricky. If you receive an email from an unknown
sender, don’t click on any links or reply without verifying who it is and whether they’re a trusted sender.

Ask for Help

If you have a family member or friend who is tech‐savvy, don’t be afraid to reach out to them for help if you’re unsure of something. When it comes to technology and cybersecurity, it’s better to be safe than sorry.

For all your financial needs, Peoples Bank & Trust ready and willing to assist you. Visit our website to learn more and
contact us with any questions!

Peoples Bank & Trust Co.

Member FDIC

Equal Housing Lender

cybersecurity

Cybersecurity 101 for a Remote Workforce

As remote work becomes more “normal” in today’s world, it’s important to consider the security risks that come with working from home. Whether you’re an employee or manage employees who work from home, these tips will help protect both you and the company you work for.

1. Use a VPN

If you ever must use unsecured or public networks, make sure remote employees are using a VPN. This will encrypt all your internet traffic which prevents outsiders from keeping tabs on your activity. Make sure you do your research and use a VPN that has good speed and stability, otherwise it could slow down your internet speeds.

2. Watch Out for Phishing

We’ve all received a phishing email before, and sometimes they’re obvious to catch. Other times, though, phishing emails look realistic and not like scams at all. Be careful and always check the sender’s email address and content of the email before clicking any links or responding. Another clear sign of phishing scams is when there are spelling and grammar mistakes.

3. Utilize Cyber Training Frequently

There are lots of cyber awareness programs that help track and improve the cyber risk of your team. The training your team completes should go over possible cybercriminal situations, how to handle them, rules for device use, new threats to keep in mind and more. This will help your employees feel more prepared when a cybersecurity issue arises.

4. Keep Devices Locked

Locking your device when you walk away from your workspace is an easy task to forget since it’s not a habit formed when you’re in the office. This is extremely important if you’re working in any public setting like a coffee shop, but you should even lock your devices when you’re at home. Your little one could end up messing with your keyboard and pushing buttons, an untrusted roommate might get snoopy… you never know and it’s better safe than sorry!

5. Use Strong and Secure Passwords

One of the most obvious but most important things when it comes to cybersecurity is using strong
passwords. Make sure it:

  • Doesn’t include personal information
  • Includes numbers, special characters, upper and lowercase letters
  • Isn’t too short

Password managers are a great option since it can be difficult to remember multiple complex passwords. They’ll keep your strong passwords organized and easy to access for your convenience and safety.

As a business, training staff on cybersecurity has become crucial and will only become more important as time goes on. Remote work isn’t going anywhere anytime soon – if anything it will become more common – so now’s a great time to send this article as a reminder to your team of remote workers!

Peoples Bank & Trust Co.
Member FDIC
Equal Housing Lender

computer

Protect Yourself from Identity Theft

The Federal Trade Commission defines identity theft as theft that happens “when someone uses your Social Security number or other personal information to open new accounts, make purchases, or get a tax refund.” This kind of theft not only steals your money, but your precious time as you work to figure out what accounts are compromised and finding safe ways to re-open them. Keep reading to prevent identity theft. 

Start by Educating Yourself 

The first step to protecting yourself from identity theft is to learn what type of information a thief might be after. Different types of identity theft where criminals gather information about you include financial fraud, medical identity theft, social security theft, child identity theft, tax theft and others. For example: 

  • Financial Fraud – spending money with your debit and/or credit card numbers.  
  • Medical Identity Theft – personal information such as SSN, date of birth, etc. used to receive medical services under your name. 
  • Social Security Theft – using your SSN to open fraudulent accounts in your name. 
  • Child Identity Theft – family members who use a child’s SSN, birthday and address to open fraudulent accounts in the child’s name. 
  • Tax Identity Theft – using your personal information to file a tax return under your name and receive a refund. 

Next Step: Protecting Yourself 

Use can these tips to start protecting yourself from identity theft right away. It’s much more easy to prevent fraud than it is to recover from it, so you can save yourself a lot of trouble by taking the initiative to follow our guidelines as soon as you can. 

  • Check your bank account activity at least once a week to make sure there aren’t any suspicious transactions. With an online banking account, you can quickly see all transaction history and alert your bank if you suspect fraud.  
  • Shred important documents instead of throwing them in the garbage. It’s odd, we know, but people even sift through trash to find things like bank statements with account information or medical bills with your personal information. Shredding it will make it impossible for someone to use paper documents against you.  
  • Guard your pin number when typing it into a card reader or ATM. You never know when someone is looking over your shoulder! Better yet, use the “tap” method on your card if you have it. Then you won’t be asked to punch in a pin at all. 
  • Don’t click on suspicious links in your email. Watch your emails for links that contain spam. If you ever receive an email asking for personal or banking information, verify it’s legitimate before replying. 
  • Make sure the sites are secure before making an online purchase. When banking and shopping online, check to make sure the sites security is enabled. A site with “https://” is secure, while one with “http://” is not secure. 

If you’re ever in the situation where you think your identity has been stolen, report it immediately! You can get in touch with your bank and the FTC and they will both be able to help you recover information or close fraudulent accounts. If you have more questions or you’re wondering if your identity has been stolen, contact us and we’ll set up a time to chat. 

Peoples Bank & Trust Co.

Member FDIC

Equal Housing Lender

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Online Safety Tips for Seniors

It’s an unfortunate reality, that many criminals target senior citizens as they can be susceptible to online deception. If you’re keeping up with the times by staying online, it’s also important to keep up with online security measures!  

1. Look Out for Suspicious Emails 

You would be surprised how often people are fooled by phishing emails. ‘Phishing’ emails are sent from cybercriminals who pretend to be a person or business they are not. Oftentimes, the cybercriminal has enough information about you to make the email seem very legitimate. It’s very common for individuals to receive phishing emails that pretend to be from the individual’s bank. When they pose as a familiar business or person, they add corrupt links and attachments that could compromise your computer and/or personal information. If you receive an email you weren’t expecting, be sure to make sure the email address doesn’t look phony and that all the information is actually correct. 

Ex – From: Apple <apple-suPport5@icloud.net> 

Ex – A receipt for a subscription you don’t pay for. 

2. Use Strong and Unique Passwords 

Strong passwords are important because they’re harder for cybercriminals to guess. A strong password can be a phrase from a song you remember with capitalization and symbols. Unique passwords are important because if one password is compromised, then you won’t have to worry about other account passwords being compromised. LastPass is a great (and free) way to keep track of all your different passwords. So, all you have to do is memorize the one password you need to log into LastPass!  

3. Take the Romance Offline 

It’s becoming more and more common for seniors to try out online dating. And why not? It can be a great way to find companionship! However, it’s vital you verify the person you are talking to is a real person and genuinely wants to connect. Sometimes, cybercriminals pretend to be someone completely different online in order to trick people into giving out their personal and financial information. You can avoid this by taking an old friend to meet your new online friend and gauge their intentions. And remember: never give your personal or financial information to someone you recently met online! 

4. Be Aware of Suspicious Calls and Voicemails 

Ever gotten a voicemail from a robotic-sounding voice telling you that your credit card has been compromised? That was a scam. Individuals of all ages and backgrounds get scammed over the phone every day. Be on the lookout for robotic voices that request personal information as this is a way criminals disguise their voice or send voicemails to the masses. If you don’t recognize the number and/or you weren’t expecting to receive a call from a certain business requesting information (like credit card numbers and insurance IDs), it’s best not to give them what they ask for! If you’re unsure, hang up and call the business number you are familiar with. They will be able to tell you whether or not they are trying to get in contact with you. 

Peoples Bank & Trust is here to protect your financial information and your wealth! If you have any questions as to how we protect you, feel free to contact us. Or if you aren’t sure about suspicious individuals requesting your financial information, give us a call and we can tell you how to proceed. 

Peoples Bank & Trust Co.

Member FDIC

Equal Housing Lender

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Cyber Safety Tips for Kids

While so much is online today, even school, it’s important to have conversations about the dangers of being online with your kiddos. Cyber safety is extremely important to protect your family, so it’s crucial to continue these conversations over time and educate your children more than once (because we all know kids forget what mom or dad told them). Today, we will give our favorite cyber safety tips for kids! 

Protect Your Identity 

It’s important to teach your children that their identity is important. People could use their name, birthday, phone number, address and so on to do some bad things. Tell them it’s important not to post this information or share it with anyone when they are on social media or playing games online. 

Stay Away from Strangers 

Many kids will get friend requests or messages from strangers on social media, online platforms or video games. Tell them that stranger danger is just as important online as it is in person. If someone is being nice online, it doesn’t mean they should trust them or engage in conversation. 

Monitor Use 

Make sure you keep track of the social media platforms your children are on, what video games they are playing as well as who they are talking to on those games, and any other online activity. You don’t need to go overboard with looking deep into each piece but just do a quick look and have a conversation about being safe. 

Secure Social Media 

Know what platforms your children are using and show them how to set their security settings high on each platform. Make sure they aren’t sharing personal information and what they are posting is appropriate. You should also remind them to never meet in person with someone they met online and tell an adult if a stranger is messaging them. 

Be Aware of Downloads 

Teach your children not to download anything without your permission. Explain that anything that is downloaded or clicked on could hurt their computer or phone. Be sure to download and run security software on the computer as well as make continuous updates to the phone and apps. 

We hope these tips help you keep your children a little safer when online. The danger is out there, so monthly reminders are important to instill good practices in your children. Check out our blog for more cybersecurity tips. 

Peoples Bank & Trust Co.

Member FDIC

Equal Housing Lender

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5 Cybersecurity Basics You Need to Know

With so many people being online now, it’s even more important to be safe with what you do and add an extra layer of security to your actions. Any time you are on your phone, tablet or computer, there is a chance you could be targeted. Protect yourself and your information by keeping up to date with these five cybersecurity basics you need to know. 

1. Update Your Software 

Not all software updates automatically. Be sure to check your app store to update any apps who have a pending update. Restart your computer to allow for updates and be on top of when updates come out, so you don’t keep clicking ‘Later’ and forget to install the new update. Updating your software improves any bugs in the apps or overall system to improve security. 

2. Require Passwords 

Any and everything needs a password. Your phone, computer and so forth should all require one – even though it’s a little extra work for you. In case your device would ever end up in the wrong hands, this adds one extra layer of security. 

3. Use Multi-Factor Authentication 

Many apps are now asking or requiring that you use multi-factor authentication. This requires you to add a second email or phone number to your account for an extra layer of security when logging in. Another type of multi-factor authentication is using an app to get a code that you have to enter when logging into a program or device. 

4. Secure Your Router 

Be sure to change your router’s preset password to something difficult – don’t do your household’s last name with a 1! behind it and think that’s good either. Be tricky so someone can’t jump onto your Wi-Fi and get your information.  

5. Have Difficult and Different Passwords 

We’ve said it once and we’ll say it again – do NOT have the same password for all your accounts. We understand you could have logins for 50+ sites, but it’s important to try to switch it up so that a hacker can’t get into everything. If they have your email and password that gets them into your email, chances are they’ll try that combination on all the other popular platforms you’ll probably have. 

We hope these five cybersecurity basics refreshed you on the importance of being extra cautious with your devices. We want you and your information to be as safe as can be! 

Peoples Bank & Trust Co.

Member FDIC

Equal Housing Lender

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Identity Theft: How to Protect Yourself

According to IdentityForce.com, about 1 in 15 people were victims of identity fraud in 2019. As technology continues to grow, the risk will only get higher. That’s why protecting yourself from this kind of crime is more important now than ever! 

Rundown of Identity Theft 

The first step in prevention is recognizing what identity theft is and why it’s dangerous. A simple description of identity theft is a crime in which an individual’s personal and/or financial information is illegally obtained, most commonly for financial gain. With your information, that criminal could then: 

  • Withdraw money from your bank account 
  • Steal your tax refund 
  • Sell your information to others 
  • Apply for loans, credit cards, etc. in your name 

Recognizing Identity Theft 

Now it’s time to understand what the signs of identity theft are so you’re prepared if you were ever put in this situation. If you start noticing any of these things, identity theft may be the problem at hand: 

  • You notice unusual or unrecognizable withdrawals from your bank account 
  • Your tax return received a rejection notice 
  • You are turned down for a loan for bad credit when you have good credit 
  • You notice an absence in your household bills coming through the mail 

Preventing Identity Theft 

The good news is there are lots of things you can do to protect yourself from crimes like this. To make it not so easy for criminals to steal your information, follow these important steps: 

  • Never give out personal information such as your Social Security number or bank information 
  • Destroy private records with a paper shredder before throwing it in the trash 
  • Check your bank account and credit reports regularly for suspicious activity 
  • Create strong passwords and use different passwords for each account you own 
  • Don’t click on unknown links and don’t enter any login credentials on an unfamiliar login screen 
  • Never carry your Social Security card on you, but instead keep it in a safe and secure place in your house unless you need to access it 

When it comes to protecting yourself from identity theft, the more precautions you take, the better! Make 2021 the year you decide to up your security game and take proper action. To learn more about cybersecurity or to discuss the financial services we offer, visit our website. 

Peoples Bank & Trust Co.

Member FDIC

Equal Housing Lender

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5 Reasons You Should Utilize Online & Mobile Banking

Besides the obvious positive of having constant access to your bank account on your very own device, online and mobile banking brings various benefits to the table. If you haven’t downloaded our mobile app yet, keep reading to find out why you should. 

1. Deposit Checks Anywhere 

Save yourself a trip by making it possible to deposit checks from the comfort of your home. It’s an easy process, too! All you do is endorse the check with “PBTC Mobile Deposit”, take a picture of each side and enter basic information. Your check will be processed in seconds – it’s as simple as that!  

2. 24/7 Access 

Say goodbye to working around the bank’s hours to do simple tasks like checking your balance, viewing your transaction history, transferring money, depositing checks or printing bank statements. With online and mobile banking, you have access to these services and information 24/7, even outside of bank hours. 

3. Quick and Easy Transfer 

There may be instances when you quickly need to transfer money from your savings account to your checking account or vice versa. This process is simple, too, and in just a few steps your transfer will be processed. Mobile banking is also helpful in situations where account balances get too low and you have automatic payments. You can set up notifications to make sure you transfer money before dropping below a certain amount and overdrawing. 

4. Never Miss a Bill with Autopay  

Autopay is easy to set up and allows you to pay your bills without having to lift a finger. By filling out a few quick forms online, money will automatically be sent out or transferred each month to pay your bills in a timely manner. Not only is this convenient for you, but it allows you to completely avoid the risk of paying a late fee. 

5. Print or Download Statements 

Save yourself another trip to the bank with access to E-Statements anytime. If you’re wanting to print or download statements for tax purposes or personal records, you simply login to your online account and print off what you want. This makes organizing your personal records easy, too, whether you want to do so on paper or safely and securely on your computer. 

Now that you know why online and mobile banking is so great, it’s time to get started! Click here to learn more about our services, ask us questions and to find out what your next online banking steps are. 

Peoples Bank & Trust Co.

Member FDIC

Equal Housing Lender