Online Banking Customer Awareness & Education Program

Bank of Salem is committed to protecting our customers’ information. Every day, cyber-criminals are working relentlessly attempting to steal sensitive personal information and money or steal your identity. Do not be an easy target for them.

Bank of Salem will NEVER request personal information by phone, email or text messaging including account numbers, personal identification information, passwords, or any other confidential customer information.

Bank of Salem is providing the information below for you to help protect your online account and transaction information.

Contacting the Bank

Please contact Bank of Salem at 870-895-2591 with any questions or concerns you may have. If you believe your online banking account has been compromised or you receive suspicious or fraudulent mail, email or websites related to Bank of Salem, please contact us immediately.

To maintain the security of your bank accounts, Bank of Salem must have your most current phone number and email address. If you change your either, please make sure that we get the number updated.

Debit Card Security

To report your Bank of Salem check card lost or stolen, call (870) 895-2591. If after normal business hours, please call 800-500-1044 to speak with a fraud specialist 24 hours a day. It is critical that you NEVER give out your MasterCard debit card or ATM Personal Identification Number (PIN) to anyone. Also, never write your PIN on your card or keep it anywhere in your wallet or purse. Be sure to pick passwords and PINs (Personal Identification Numbers) that will be difficult for someone to figure out.

Online Banking Security

Online Banking is accessed through a Secure Socket Layer (or SSL), meaning all data transmitted to or from the bank's computer systems is encrypted and your money and privacy are protected. Several firewalls exist to prevent unauthorized access to the system and ensure your information is accessible only with an Internet Banking ID and PIN.

In addition to the security features put in place by Bank of Salem, you can help protect yourself by taking the following actions to stay safe and secure your information:

Be aware of suspicious emails asking for your personal information.
Never provide any personal information such as Social Security number, Account number, Usernames or Passwords over the phone or the Internet if you did not initiate the contact.
Do not use personal information as your Username or Passwords.
Create hard-to-guess passwords that include upper-case and lower-case letters, number, and special characters.
Change your passwords frequently and do not re-use the same passwords.
Always sign out or log off your online banking sessions.
Avoid using public computers and Wi-Fi to access your online banking accounts.
Ensure your computer has the most recent Anti-Virus software and is being updated daily.
Ensure your computer or mobile device have the latest software version.
To maintain your online banking account in the most secure manner possible, passwords for online banking will expire every 120 days.

Commercial Banking Online Security

In addition to the information provided regarding “Online Banking Security”, Commercial & Small Business account holders should institute additional measures to further protect their online banking information.

Perform your own annual internal risk assessment & evaluation on all online accounts.
Establish internal policies regarding employee internet usage.
Educate your employees on the risks.
Establish proper user account controls.
Review all transactions.
Ensure all company computers are equipped with up-to-date antivirus protection software and virus definitions are being updated daily.

Identity Theft

Identity theft occurs when someone uses your personal information such as your Social Security number, Account number or Credit Card number, without your consent, to commit fraud or other crimes. The following are tips to protect you against identity theft:

Report lost or stolen checks or credit/debit cards immediately.
Never give out your personal information.
Review statements promptly and carefully.
Shred all documents that contain confidential information (i.e. bank and credit card statements, bills and invoices that contain personal information, expired credit cards and pay-stubs.
Check your credit report periodically.

Check Your Credit

Consumers can request one free copy of his or her credit report every year. Reviewing your credit report can help you find out if someone has opened unauthorized financial accounts, or taken out unauthorized loans, in your name.

Equifax - 1-800-685-1111
Experian - 1-888-397-3742
Transunion - 1-877-322-8228

Mobile Banking Safety Tips

Managing your finances using a smartphone or tablet can be very convenient. However, you should consider these safety tips to protect your account information:

Be proactive in protecting your smartphone and/or tablet by installing anti-malware software on the device.
Research any application (app) before you download it. Fraudulent apps are often designed with names that look like real apps. It is best if you access an app using a link from the provider’s website.
Create a strong password or PIN for your mobile app and your device.
- Use at least eight characters
- Do not use your username, real name, or company name
- Do not use a complete word
- Make it significantly different from previous passwords
- Use a character from each of the following categories (some apps may limit symbols)
  - Uppercase letters
  - Lowercase letters
  - Numbers
Use an auto-lock or time-out feature so your device will lock when it is left unused for a certain period.
Upgrade your device to the latest operating system version.
Do not jailbreak or root your mobile device. Doing so exposes the security controls and makes your device vulnerable to cyber-attacks.
Check your account history periodically to make sure there are no fraudulent transactions.
Take precautions in case your device is lost or stolen before your device is lost or stolen. Avoid leaving your device unattended in public places.
Consult your wireless provider to see if they provide a service to remotely erase your device or turn off access to your device and/or account in the event your device is lost or stolen.
Always conduct your transactions in a safe environment. Use your cellular service or your own internet provider rather than unsecured/public Wi-Fi networks like those offered at coffee shops.
Do not send account numbers or PIN in emails or text messages, because those methods are not necessarily secure

Banzai - Online Fraud Education Program

Bank of Salem has partnered with Banzai to bring you clear, in-depth lessons that help you dive into the financial topics you care most about. Whether you need help with budgeting, credit, investments, or just the basics; Banzai has something for every stage of life.

Visit the fraud section of our Banzai Financial Wellness Center [Click Here To Learn More About Banzai Financial]