Financial Security

Identity theft can damage your finances, credit rating, and reputation, and complicate many areas of your life. Identity thieves might:

Identity theft is one of the fastest growing crimes in the country. And phone scams is one of the growing fraud tactics that criminals use. In these scams, callers pretend to be your bank, credit card company or other organization to get you to give them personal and financial information. The caller may make claims about the status of your accounts or credit cards. They then ask for your account or credit card information, which they use to steal your identity and money.

Put a stop...

The popularity of social media continues to grow, especially as new social channels are introduced. While social networks allow people to easily connect with each other and share information, they are also a hotbed for fraudulent activity. To help consumers avoid becoming a victim, check out these five tips on how to use social media safely.

According to the Federal Trade Commission, one in four people who reported losing money to fraud over the last two years said the scam began...

Stay Safe While Traveling This Summer

We want you to stay safe and have a good time when you travel. Here are some safety tips to take into consideration as you plan your big trip:

If you’re a college student, you’ll want to read this!

When you think of someone who might have his or her identity stolen, the last person you envision is yourself or one of your peers.

But that’s exactly who identity thieves target. College students are among the most vulnerable targets for several reasons. Look at these statistics to get an idea why:

Donating can be a great way to help show your support for a cause, organization or person. The problem is that it can be hard to know where it is and isn’t smart to donate. If you’re looking for a way to donate your money so it’ll get used as you intend, we’ve got some helpful tips.

Tip 1: Look at their background! This may seem obvious, but sometimes it takes more than just looking for a charity that supports the same cause as you. To make sure your money is...

Written by Suzi Harper, Personal Banker & Commercial Services Manager

Cybercrime is undoubtedly one of the fastest-growing crimes in the world and there’s really no sign of it letting up. You may know personally how important it is to protect yourself and your online information, but are you also thinking the same in regards to your business? If not, then you should move that thought to the top of your 2023 priorities.  

Here are 10 tips to help prevent the cyber...

Identity theft is one of the fastest growing crimes in the country. And here at Farmers Bank, we are doing all we can to help protect you. One growing fraud tactic is phone scams and spoof calls. In these scams, callers pretend to be your bank, credit card company or other organization to get you to give them personal and financial information. The caller may make claims about the status of your accounts or credit cards. They then ask for your account or credit card information, which they use...

Social media and dating sites are popular ways to connect with others. However, some people use these sites to scam people. “Sweetheart scams” are on the rise, with fraudsters out to steal your heart – and your money.

How It Works:

Sweetheart scammers create fake online profiles and use various tactics to convince you they are “real” people who develop feelings for you. They may even make promises of love and marriage. After they’ve earned...

In 2020, Iowans lost more than $17 million to fraud, according to a report from the Federal Trade Commission. That’s an increase of nearly 49% from 2019. Those figures only prove how important it is to stay vigilant and know how to protect yourself from becoming a victim.

It is unlikely fraud will ever be completely eliminated. Fraudsters adjust their strategies every year and are always on the lookout for new methods to commit crimes. As technology advances, so do these criminal...