Templeton: (712) 669-3322 | Manning: (712) 655-3541

Security Tips

Kids and Family Members

If you have children visiting or staying with family members (such as grandparents), make sure the family members know your rules concerning technology that your kids must follow. Just because your kids leave the house does not mean the rules about what they can do online change.

Two Home Computers

If possible, have two computers at home — one for parents and one for kids. This way they can’t accidently infect your computer. If you are sharing a computer, make sure you have separate accounts for everyone and that kids do not have privileged access.

Reporting an Incident

Bad guys are very persistent, eventually anyone can make a mistake. If a phone call from the “Help Desk” doesn’t sound quite right, if an email seems suspicious or if a program you installed starts acting funny, ask for help! In addition, perhaps you lost a work laptop or a USB drive. The sooner you report an incident, the sooner we can help resolve the problem.

Recording Conference Calls

When hosting or attending conference calls, only record the call if you have prior permission, a work related need to record the call, and you make sure everyone on the call knows it will be recorded.

Dark Web

The Dark Web is a network of systems connected to the Internet designed to share information securely and anonymously. These capabilities are abused by cyber criminals to enable their activities, for example selling hacking tools or purchasing stolen information such as credit card data. Be aware that your information could be floating around the Dark Web, making it easier for cyber criminals to create custom attacks targeting you..

When ‘free’ isn’t really free: Beware of free trial offers

 

We’ve all been there. While browsing online, we see an ad for a product or subscription service with a free trial and think, “Why not?”

Here’s why not: What appears to be a free or low-cost trial can add up to be much more. Most free trials require consumers to enter their card information to pay for shipping. This information can then be used to cover future costs if the individual forgets to end the trial or subscription.

While the cardholder may make a note to cancel the service before any fees hit their card, it’s not always so simple. Some deceitful businesses hide the terms and conditions of their offers in fine print or use pre-checked sign-up boxes as the default setting.

What does this mean for your financial institution? Most often, there’s a limit on the chargeback rights for these purchases. Your financial institution likely won’t be able to claim fraud and will need to pursue chargebacks through non-fraud reasons, such as “merchandise not as described,” which usually means a low chance of success.

Help cardholders avoid these unwanted fees by sharing these tips offered by the Federal Trade Commission:

  • Research the company online. Read what other people are saying about the company’s free trials — and its service. Complaints from other consumers can tip you off to “catches” that might come with the trial.
  • Find the offer’s terms and conditions. That includes offers on TV and the radio, in the newspaper or online. If you can’t find them or don’t understand exactly what you’re agreeing to, don’t sign up.
  • Look for who’s behind the offer. Just because you’re online buying something from one company doesn’t mean the offer or pop-up isn’t from another company.
  • Watch out for pre-checked boxes. If you sign up for a free trial online, look for already-checked boxes. That checkmark may give the company the green light to continue the offer past the free trial or sign you up for more products — only this time you have to pay.
  • Mark your calendar. Your free trial probably has a time limit. If it passes without you telling the company to cancel your “order,” you may be on the hook for more products.
  • Look for information on how to cancel future shipments or services. If you don’t want them, do you have to pay? Do you have a limited time to respond?
  • Review your bank statements and be vigilant in online banking. This is just good practice, but in this case, you’ll know right away if you’re being charged for something you didn’t order.

Adhering to these tips when considering a free trial can reduce the potential for unwanted merchandise and charges. Remind cardholders to be smart shoppers by doing their research and reading the fine print before making a purchase.