October Is National Cybersecurity Month: Protect your Identity

Every year, millions of U. S. consumers become victims of identity theft and experience the misuse of their personal information.

In recognition of “National Cybersecurity Awareness Month,” these tips can help you protect your personal information from identity thieves.

Fraudsters can use your personal information to conduct a variety of illegitimate transactions, such as opening bogus accounts, filing tax returns and getting access to medical care, according to the American Bankers Association. As a result, consumers are urged to safeguard their personal information before it gets into the wrong hands.

Tips to Protect your Identity

  • Never share your secrets. Do not provide your Social Security number or bank or credit card account information to anyone who contacts you online or over the phone. Protect your PINs and passwords and do not share them with anyone. Use a combination of letters, numbers and symbols to create strong passwords and change them periodically. Never post personal or sensitive information on social media.
  • Shred sensitive papers. Shred receipts, bank and credit card statements and unused credit card offers before throwing them in the trash.
  • Keep an eye out for missing mail. Fraudsters look for monthly bank or credit card statements or other mail containing financial information. Enroll in American Federal Online Banking to reduce the likelihood of paper statements being stolen. Do not mail bills from your own mailbox with the flag up. Enroll in American Federal Online Bill Pay to pay your bills conveniently and securely.
  • Use Online Banking to protect yourself. Monitor your financial accounts regularly for fraudulent transactions. Sign up for email or text alerts for certain types of transactions, such as transactions of $500 or more.
  • Monitor your credit report. Order a free copy of your credit report every four months from one of the three credit reporting agencies at annualcreditreport.com. Rotate your orders through each of the bureaus, so you are reviewing your credit report from different agencies. Regularly order credit reports for your children as well. Children are often victims of identity theft.
  • Protect your computer. Make sure the virus protection software and patches on your computer are active and up to date. When conducting business online, make sure your browser’s padlock or key icon is active. Also look for an “s” after the “http” to be sure the website is secure.

Protect your Mobile Device

Your mobile device provides convenient access to your email, bank and social media accounts. Unfortunately, it can potentially provide the same access for criminals. Follow these tips to keep your information – and your money – safe.

  • Use the passcode lock on your smartphone and other devices. This will make it more difficult for thieves to access your information, if your device is lost or stolen.
  • Log out completely when you finish a mobile banking session.
  • Protect your phone from viruses and malicious software, or malware, just like you do for your computer by installing mobile security software.
  • Use caution when downloading apps. Apps can contain malicious software, worms and viruses. Beware of apps that ask for unnecessary “permissions” and delete unused or rarely used apps.
  • Download the updates for your phone and mobile apps.
  • Avoid storing sensitive information like passwords or a social security number on your mobile device.
  • Tell your financial institution immediately if you change your phone number or lose your mobile device.
  • Be aware of shoulder surfers. The most basic form of information theft is observation. Be aware of your surroundings especially when you are entering sensitive information on a keypad.
  • Wipe your mobile device before you donate, sell or trade it using specialized software or using the manufacturer’s recommended technique. Some software allows you to wipe your device remotely if it is lost or stolen.
  • Beware of mobile phishing. Avoid opening links and attachments in emails and texts, especially from senders you do not know. And, be wary of ads (not from your security provider) claiming that your device is infected.
  • Watch out for public Wi-Fi. Public connections are not secure, so do not perform banking transactions on a public network. If you need to access your account, try disabling the Wi-Fi and switching to your mobile network. Consider using a Virtual Private Network (VPN) app to secure and encrypt your communications when connecting to a public Wi-Fi network.

Report any suspected fraud to your bank immediately.

Jay Friedt Joins Hallock Sales Office

Jay A. Friedt has been named Ag and Business Banking Specialist at the Hallock Sales Office of American Federal Bank.

Jay joins American Federal with previous commercial banking experience as a Business Banker in Grand Forks.  After college, he worked as a Tax Consultant at Deloitte Tax LLP in Minneapolis, providing tax and estate-planning services to private companies and individuals.

Jay earned a Bachelor’s of Accountancy from the University of North Dakota (UND) in Grand Forks.  At UND, he was a member of the Beta Alpha Psi, an honor organization for students in the accounting program, and was a recipient of the Stan and Dorothy Hoistad Scholarship Award.

Jay is the Board President of Valley Community Health Centers in Grand Forks, which provides mental and dental care to patients, regardless of insurance plan or income.  He is a Board Member of the Lake Agassiz Development Group in Fargo. The organization facilitates lending programs through the U.S. Small Business Administration 504 and Micro Loan Programs.

 

Hallock Sales Office Breaks Ground for Expansion

American Federal Bank broke ground September 10 on an expansion of its Hallock, Minnesota Sales Office.

The expansion on the north side of the existing building will almost double the size of the Hallock Sales Office and create a new exterior look to the building, illustrated in the architectural sketch below.

Changes include the addition of a pitched roof and brick-based columns, an updated front entrance, new drive-up equipment, drive-up ATM and night depository, enlarged parking lot and updated landscaping of the property.

Inside the refurbished bank, clients and employees will appreciate a new conference room, six Sales Banker offices and four Associate work areas for local customer service and support. Safe deposit boxes also will be added.

“Our expansion project underscores our commitment to Hallock, Kittson County and northwestern Minnesota where our clients live and work,” said Hallock Market President Paul Craigmile. “A larger, more efficient building enhances our ability to serve our farm, business and retail clients, a hallmark of our organization since we were established in 1891 in the northern Red River Valley.”

“Not only are we dedicated to our community and our customers, we believe in our employees who provide trusted advice and financial expertise through the relationships they build with our clients and the tailored solutions they develop to help our clients reach their goals,” Craigmile said. “A professional work environment is important for recruiting and maintaining top talent in our community.”

Attending the ground-breaking ceremony, shown in the photo above, are, front row from left, Ag and Business Banker Jon Swenson, Market President Paul Craigmile and Hallock Mayor Dave Treumer; and back row from left, Ag and Business Banking Specialist Jay Friedt, Associate Jolene Froese, Associate Trisha Docken, Associate Traci Lindgren and Associate Banker Melissa Casper.

Local subcontractors and suppliers will be involved in a large share of the project. Community Contractors, Grand Forks, is general contractor for the building project.  ICON Architectural Group, Grand Forks, is the architect.

Following a merger with the Hallock Savings and Loan Association in 1976, a sales office was opened in Hallock in January of 1977. American Federal originally operated at 118 Second Street Southeast in Hallock. In June of 1979, American Federal finished construction of its new bank building at 157 South Second Street in Hallock, its home today.

 

Why Might I See a Cloudflare Message?

On occasion, you may encounter a brief pop-up message from Cloudflare when accessing the American Federal Bank website.

Cloudflare is a web security company that scans and detects suspicious IP addresses. Web traffic is routed through Cloudflare to protect against and mitigate DDoS attacks.

What is DDoS

Distributed Denial of Service (DDoS) attacks can impact the availability and the performance of a website. The pop-up message alerts users that traffic to the website is being scanned to protect against malicious traffic.

 

Send Money to Family and Friends Quickly

With American Federal Send Money, you can transfer money fast to almost anyone with a U.S. bank account. All you need is your recipient’s email address or mobile phone number to text.  It’s that simple!

Send Money allows you to send funds conveniently using your American Federal debit card-account to other accountholders at American Federal or other financial institutions. You can even send money to a business.

Sometimes referred to as person-to-person payments, Send Money is a digital cash alternative that makes sending and receiving money as easy as emailing and texting. And, your payments are made quickly.  No need to carry cash in your wallet or wait for checks to clear an account.

Whether it’s sending a birthday gift of money, paying for snow removal service, or splitting a check at a restaurant, Send Money is a convenient alternative to cash and checks. No enrollment is required.  Simply log into American Federal Online Banking or Mobile Application and start sending money anywhere, anytime, to anyone. Terms and Conditions apply.

Fast

You initiate a payment by email or mobile phone. Your recipient receives funds fast.1, 2

Easy

No registration or set up required. This convenient service is ready to use in online, mobile or tablet.

Secure

Every transaction requires your debit card PIN, making it as safe as any debit transaction and the debit card network of the receiver of the funds.

Start using American Federal Send Money today for all your payment needs. If you have questions about person-to-person payments or how they work, contact your local American Federal Banker.

 

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  1. The time of funds received depends on when the recipient responds to his or her email or text, and when his or her financial institution posts the transfer. Posting is dependent upon the business days of the recipient’s financial institution. If a recipient uses a bank where delivery cannot be made within minutes, it may take several business days for your payment to be delivered.
  2. The recipient of a payment has 10 days to collect the sender’s funds by accepting the transaction, or the transfer will be cancelled and the funds returned to the sender’s account.  Sender receives an email message, if funds are not picked up by the receiver.
  • Payments occur in real time via the debit card network.  Not all debit card networks participate.  Payments not able to be sent via the debit card network are sent ACH which could delay the delivery of money by several days.
  • Send Money transactions are not recoverable.
  • A customer must have an available balance in a qualifying American Federal account to use Send Money.
  • Debit card daily dollar limit applies.
  • Mobile carrier’s message and data rates may apply.