Security Center
Your banking experience as well as the privacy and security of your financial and personal information are very important to us. Whether you bank online, by phone, by mail, or stop in to visit one of our friendly customer service representatives, we are committed to respecting and protecting your privacy. The type of information we collect, how it is used, and with whom and under what circumstances it will be shared is explained in our Privacy Policy.
First Option Bank will never ask for your personal information such as account numbers, social security numbers, or passwords in an e-mail message or by telephone. We will also never request you update your personal or account information through links in an e-mail. Your personal information is often sought by imposters in order to commit identity theft, which can cost you countless hours and dollars to rectify and cause damage to your credit.
To help prevent unauthorized card use, First Option Bank credit and debit cards are protected by Falcon® Fraud Manager 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. If your First Option Bank credit and/or debit card has been lost or stolen, please contact us as soon as possible in order to keep potential losses to a minimum or avoided entirely. During regular business hours, please call a Customer Service Representative at the location nearest you. After hours, please call toll free 800-500-1044.
If you believe that you are a victim of fraudulent activity on one of your First Option Bank accounts, please call us immediately at 913-755-3811.
Computer Safety and Security
Here are a few tips to help you protect your identity when you’re online:
- Always use a current web browser.
- Don’t download programs from unknown sources.
- To ensure the highest level of protection, your computer operating system should be kept up to date.
- Install a personal firewall on your computer.
- Install, run, and keep anti-virus and other software updated.
- Don’t leave your computer in sleep mode. Turn it off completely when you are finished using it.
- Conduct your online banking business on secure computers only. Public computers should be used with caution due to shared use and possible tampering. Online banking and viewing or downloading documents such as your bank statements should only be done on a computer you know is safe and secure.
- Before downloading updates to a computer program, first go to the company’s website to confirm that the update is legitimate.
Internet Safety
- Shop with merchants you know and trust when shopping online and only use secure websites. Always look for a physical address and telephone number.
- Make sure internet purchases are secured with encryption to protect your information. Look for the lock symbol in the lower right hand corner of your web browser window or “https:/…” in the address bar of the web site. The “s” stands for secured and means the web page uses encryption.
- Always log off any website after using your credit or check card or sharing other sensitive information. If you can’t log off, close the browser to prevent potential unauthorized access to your information.
- Close your browser when you’re not using the internet.
- Take caution when using public wifi hotspots.
Identity Theft
Identity theft can occur when someone obtains another person’s personally identifying information without lawful authority, for economic gain or criminal purposes. Here are some tips to help you protect your confidential information:
- Check your credit report regularly for any unauthorized activity or incorrect information. You may request a free credit report annually at www.annualcreditreport.com. The three major credit bureaus (Equifax, Experian and TransUnion) are also required by law to provide you with a free credit report once a year at your request.
- Open all bank statements and bills when you get them to review for possible fraudulent activity.
- Use a document shredder to destroy old statements, bills, receipts and pre-approved credit card offers before discarding them.
- Don’t carry your social security card or number in your wallet.
- Don’t have your drivers license number or social security number printed on your checks.
- Carry only the credit and debit cards you need in your wallet and keep any others in a safe place.
- Never write your PIN on your ATM or other cards.
- Be aware of anyone watching over your shoulder at an ATM or when you are using your card at a merchant.