Category: Security

Starting a New Business Safely – Cyber Security Tips

Cyber Secuity

Whether you’re a successful serial entrepreneur, or an aspiring small business owner, setting up a new business venture is never a simple process! Once your brick and mortar shop or office has been finished, it’s time to add the hardware, and get your business online. Easier said than done. Everyday technology continues to grow, and so do the potential problems associated with it. In order to keep your new business secure, follow these key set-up tips courtesy of Peoples Bank & Trust.

  1. Assess Your Business’ Risk. Find out what data or files your business absolutely needs to operate. If you will be handling personal information on behalf of your customers it is always a good idea to know the specific stipulations you need to abide by.
  2. Create a Secure Network. Whether you’re building your online network through ethernet or wifi, be sure to protect your data with password-protected logins, antivirus software, and reliable information backups.
  3. Have an Employee Policy. For everything from mobile devices, to social media, make designated rulings on how employees should use these tools throughout the workday. If wifi is available for employee use, consider a guest network that is not connected to your data storage just in case of an unexpected incident.
  4. Make Payments Safely.  Now that the U.S. is upping its safety standards, you’ll need to update your processing systems. With the new EMV chip cards, this means decreased liability for business owners, but potentially higher set-up costs. Offering convenient transaction options is paramount in the business sector, learn how to get started HERE.
  5. Continually Educate Employees. Every time there’s a technology-oriented change in equipment or software, ensure your team is using the update properly. By providing continual education on your company’s hardware, internal systems, and new technology, you increase your employees’ knowledge on dangerous online safety hazards.

If you’re looking to start your new business venture, bring your business plan to Peoples Banks & Trust today! With financing options for all sizes, we have the perfect lending plan for your new business.

 

What to do if You’ve Shopped at a Breached Store

Identity Theft

If you shop at national companies such as Home Depot, Target, or Ebay, you may have been the victim of a data breach in the past several years. With an increasing risk of customer data infiltration, many consumers have had to navigate the tricky route to re-establishing their finances. At Peoples Bank & Trust, we want show you the simple steps to help get you back on track once your personal information has been in jeopardy.

  1. Check the affected account.

Asses the damages, if any, to your credit or debit card. If any transactions aren’t in line with your spending, alert your bank or financial institution immediately to counteract any false usage. The sooner you communicate any false usage, the easier it is to get it removed.

 

  1. Cancel the card and request a replacement.

 Once a financial institution is made aware of a store breach they will typically alert any affected customers. However, to err on the side of safety, always call your bank or credit lender to ensure that you will be receiving a new card.

  1. Pull your credit report.

Once you have put out any fires on your affected credit or debit card, you can pull your full credit report to determine if any additional financial information was affected. Your credit report will reveal how many inquiries have been made, in addition to any outstanding payments that may be affecting your score. If something is not accurate with your report, contact each three credit bureau’s to report the fraud. Then file a police report, and call the designated creditors to alert them as well.

  1. Update recurring payments with new information.

Between utility bills, cell phone plans, and online subscriptions, there are plenty of accounts that will need your new card information. Once you receive your new credit or debit card be sure to update any recurring expenses.

accounts that will need your new card information. Once you receive your new credit or debit card be sure to update any recurring expenses.

  1. Continually monitor your accounts.

Keep tabs on your affected and non-affected accounts to be certain nothing else was tampered with during the breach. If you see something out of place, alert your bank or financial institution immediately.

No matter your financial state, Peoples Bank & Trust is here to help you succeed. If you want to learn how you can personally protect your personal finances, check out our blog!

Avoiding Fraud this Holiday Season

identity theft

Retailers cracked the $3 billion mark on Cyber Monday 2015, demonstrating that online shopping is alive and well this holiday season. As you plug private information into websites this month, take these precautions from Peoples Bank & Trust to avoid identity theft:

  • Make transactions privately: Public W-Fi networks are hotbeds of fraudulent activity just waiting to happen. Shared networks are at the hands of the service provider, who may not have firewalls and other safety measures up and running. Save your purchases for home or risk entering personal information into public domain.
  • Keep your ears open: Hackers know the holidays are prime time for theft, and it’s not uncommon for attacks on large databases from retailers and big companies. Pay attention to stores that have been breached through announcements via e-mails and news releases, and take action if information has been compromised by freezing your credit until the coast is clear.
  • Choose credit, not debit: Debit cards are direct gateways into your account, making short work for thieves who’ve gained access to your card. Opt for credit cards this month instead. They’ll leave a paper trail of purchases, and you can set a credit limit that’ll raise alarms if you go over. Plus, credit cards companies often provide full protection from charges made through fraud, helping make sure you don’t take a crisis level hit to your accounts.
  • Pick one card and stick with it: When possible, dedicate a single card to holiday spending. It’ll lessen the headache of tracking activity across multiple accounts and increase the reaction time to fraudulent activity. It’s also a clever move when you shop in stores, as it minimizes the risks should you misplace your wallet.
  • Make a list (of bills) & check it twice: As paperwork comes trickling in early January, pay attention to warning signs that something’s amiss. Bills that arrive later than normal, collection notices from products you never purchased, and being turned down for a loan unexpectedly are all clues pointing to identity fraud. If you keep a running list of purchases you make throughout the month, you’ll be able to more quickly spot charges that came from foreign sources.

Still a little wary of online activity? Check out more tips to protect your identity – and what to do if it’s stolen – from Peoples Bank & Trust.

 

Peoples Bank & Trust Co.

Equal Housing Lender

Member FDIC

 

Mobile Banking: Follow These Security Best Practices

You can never be too cautious about security when using Mobile Banking

You can never be too cautious about security when using Mobile Banking

Do you use a smartphone? The answer is most likely yes, and if so, you aren’t alone. A recent survey from eMarketer suggests nearly half of American adults will use a smartphone by the end of this year. That’s tons of texts, selfies and social media updates.

If you use Mobile Banking from Peoples Bank & Trust, you also may access your account multiple times a week. This presents opportunities for criminals to also access your accounts. Therefore, you want to see if you are putting security best practices into place to keep your finances safe.

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