Security

First Fed Bank's Security Policy

First Fed’s Commitment to You, Our Customer: 

  • First Fed will notify customers of fraud or company data breaches that may affect you.
  • Please be assured that our customers are protected from any loss related to debit card fraud by Regulation E. This Regulation provides 100% protection and zero liability to customers for any unauthorized transactions conducted on their personal accounts used for household purposes. We monitor accounts for unusual activity and will alert you of any suspicious activity that we discover.
  • There has been some discussion in the media regarding the safety of using your card as “credit” versus “debit”. However, when card data is breached, there is no difference.
  • We will periodically update this site as additional information becomes available.
  • We encourage you to review the recommendations below. We have also provided a link to our security tips page for good advice on how to keep your information safe and secure. 

Tools and activities to help keep your information safe: 

  • Watch your account closely for any suspicious activity. If you see any transactions that are fraudulent, contact us right away.
    • Phone: 800-800-1577
    • Secure chat on ourfirstfed.com
    • Email us at [email protected]
    • Visit your local branch
  • Within online banking, you can set up balance and transaction alerts to receive notification of any unexpected changes in your account. You may also be able to turn off your debit card if it is lost or stolen, to block any unauthorized transactions.
  • We know that customer education is the first line of defense against these scams and have compiled the following tips and resources to help in this education process. Below are some of the valuable resources available to you via our website. 

Important Tip – “Phishing” Education: 

  • There has been a worldwide increase in phishing scams. Phishing refers to criminal activity that attempts to fraudulently obtain sensitive information, such as your social security number, driver’s license, credit card and/or bank account information through email. 
  • Please do NOT respond to any email that directs you to update your personal information by dialing a telephone number. Only call our customer service number at 800-800-1577.
  • Phishing scam artists try to replicate the look and feel of the company they are scamming. Be sure to check the website address and the “look and feel” of the information being sent. Does the email ask you to do something that seems unusual or ask you to provide personal information? When in doubt as to whether a communication from First Fed is authentic, contact us right away to confirm. Our Customer Service Center is available to take your phone call 800-800-1577 Monday-Friday 8:00 am to 6:00 pm, and Saturday 9:00 am to 1:00 pm.
  • We will NEVER ask you for your username or password. 
  
How can you tell if you are a victim? 

Monitor the balances of your financial accounts. Look for unexplained charges or withdrawals. Pay attention to your mail; if you fail to receive bills or other mail to your address, you should verify we have the correct address on file, to ensure the mail is not being stolen or rerouted without your knowledge. " You may be denied credit for no apparent reason, or you are receiving calls from debt collectors or companies about merchandise or services you didn't buy. 

The key to protecting your identity and minimizing your exposure to potential damage is to exercise caution! 

  • Make sure all of your credit card, bank, and phone accounts have strong passwords. Do not use easily available information like your mother's maiden name, your birth date, the last four digits of your social security number, or a series of consecutive numbers. When asked for your mother's maiden name, use a password instead.
  • Secure your personal information in your home, especially if you have others working or living in your home.
  • Don't give out personal information on the phone, through the mail, or online unless you've initiated the contact and you are sure you know who you are dealing with. Identity thieves can be skilled liars and may even pose as representatives of banks, service providers, or government agencies to get you to reveal identifying information. You may even receive an email message that looks legitimate but is really part of a "phishing" scam.
  • Guard your mail from theft. Deposit outgoing mail in post office collection boxes or at your local post office and do not leave your mail in unsecured mailboxes. If you are planning to be away from home, stop by your local post office and place a hold on your mail. Or call the US Postal Service at 800-275-8777 to ask for a vacation hold. To complete this request online, visit www.usps.com/manage/hold-mail.
  • Don't leave your trash out in the open. To thwart a thief who may pick through your trash or recycling bins, tear or shred your charge receipts, copies of credit applications or offers, insurance forms, medical statements, checks and bank statements, and expired charge cards.
  • Limit the number of credit and debit cards and pieces of identification that you carry to only what you need. Keep your purse or wallet in a safe place!
  • Your computer may be a gold mine of personal information. Be sure to update your antivirus protection software regularly. Look for security patches you can download from your operating system and computer applications’ websites. Don't download files from strangers or click on hyperlinks from people you don't know. Opening a file could expose your system to a virus or program that could hijack your system. Use a firewall, especially if you have a high-speed or "always on" connection to the internet.
  • Be sure you are dealing with a legitimate website when providing credit card information online. Look for a logo of a padlock or other indication that card numbers are protected during internet transmissions. In addition, only provide your credit card information when you originate a transaction, not in response to an unsolicited call or email, which may be fraudulent.
  • Check your credit report at least annually. Under the Fair and Accurate Credit Transactions Act (FACT Act) consumers have access to one free credit report each year through www.annualcreditreport.com.
  • Additionally, all First Fed customers are eligible for free ongoing credit monitoring through online banking or the First Fed Mobile App. 

How do thieves get your information? 

They use a variety of methods such as: 

  • Stealing wallets and purses containing identification and credit and bank cards.
  • Stealing mail, including bank and credit card statements, pre-approved credit offers, new checks, or tax information.
  • Rummaging through your trash, or the trash of businesses or through dumpsters is a practice known as "dumpster diving."
  • Stealing credit and debit card numbers as your card is processed by using a special information storage device in a practice known as "skimming."
  • Completing a "change of address form" to divert your mail to another location.
  • Making fraudulent phone calls (“vishing”) or sending fraudulent emails (“phishing”). 
Once they have your personal information they may: 

  • Go on a spending spree using your credit and debit card numbers to buy "big-ticket" items like computers that can easily be resold.
  • Open a new credit card account, using your name, date of birth, and Social Security Number. When they don't pay the bills, the delinquent account is reported on your credit report.
  • Take out auto loans in your name.
  • Establish phone or wireless services in your name.
  • Create counterfeit checks or debit cards, and drain your bank account.
  • Give your name to the police during an arrest. If they are released and don't show up for their court date, an arrest warrant could be issued in your name. 

Who do you call if you suspect you are a victim? 

Call the fraud department at any one of the three major credit bureaus. Ask for a fraud alert to be placed in your file at all three companies. The alert tells lenders and other users of credit reports to be careful before opening or changing accounts in your name. The toll-free numbers for the fraud departments are: 
 
  • Equifax 800-525-6285 
  • Experian 888-397-3742 
  • TransUnion 800-680-7289 
Call your bank, credit card company, or any other financial institution that may need to know. Ask to speak with someone in the security or fraud department and follow up with a letter if necessary, close old accounts and open new ones, and select new passwords and "PINs". 
 
Call your local police or the police where the identity theft occurred. Fill out a police report that will detail what happened and get a copy for future reference. 
 
Call the Federal Trade Commission. Call toll-free 877-IDTHEFT (877-438-4338). Also, an "ID Theft Affidavit" available on the FTC Identity Theft website can be used to help you prove you are an innocent victim and help you keep debts you did not incur from appearing on your credit report. 

 
Card Cracking: 

“Card Cracking” scams are on the rise. To avoid becoming a victim, do not respond to online solicitations for easy money, never share account numbers or PINs, and never file a false fraud claim with a bank. Report suspicious social media posts connected to scams to www.ic3.gov.


Other Fraud and Security Resources