News

At First Fed, your security is our top priority. Recently, we have observed a significant increase in pretexting scams targeting individuals across various financial institutions. We want to ensure you are well-informed and equipped to protect yourself against this fraudulent activity.

What is Pretexting?

Pretexting is a form of social engineering where criminals deceive individuals into disclosing sensitive information by impersonating legitimate organizations and individuals. Fraudsters often try to imitate entities such as banks, government agencies, or trusted organizations to gain your trust and gather personal information.

How Pretexting Scams Work

Typically, a scammer might contact you via phone, email, or even social media, posing as a representative from First Federal Bank or another reputable institution. They may claim there is an urgent issue with your account or offer a tempting financial opportunity. Through clever manipulation and often using publicly available information about you (such as your name, address, or recent transactions), they aim to get sensitive details from you, like your account number, PIN, or online banking credentials.

Protect Yourself: Tips from First Federal Bank

• Verify the Identity: Always verify the identity of anyone claiming to be from First Fed before sharing any personal information. Call us back using the official phone numbers on our website, www.bankfirstfed.com, or the number on your bank statements. Doing this will ensure you're speaking to an actual First Fed team member.
• Be Cautious with Information: Avoid sharing sensitive information such as your account numbers, PINs, or passwords over the phone, email, or text unless you initiated the outreach and are confident of the recipient's identity.
• Stay Informed: Stay updated on the latest scams and tactics used by criminals. Awareness is your best defense against pretexting and other forms of social engineering.
• Monitor Your Accounts: Regularly check your bank accounts and credit reports for unauthorized transactions or suspicious activities. Report anything out of the ordinary to First Fed immediately.
• Educate Yourself and Others: Share information about pretexting scams with friends and family. The more people are aware of these threats, the harder it is for scammers to succeed.

Our Commitment to You

At First Fed, we use advanced security measures to protect your accounts and personal information. We will never ask you to disclose sensitive information through unsolicited calls, emails, or messages. Your security and trust are very important to us, and we are continuously enhancing our security protocols to safeguard your financial well-being.

If you believe you have been targeted by a pretexting scam or have any concerns about the security of your accounts, please contact us immediately at (208) 733-4222.

Together, we can combat pretexting scams and ensure a safe banking experience for all our members.

Stay vigilant, stay secure.