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Citizens-Farmers Bank

Security Tips

The Citizens-Farmers Bank is committed to providing a secure banking environment for our customers.  We will never contact you to solicit your account or other personal identification information via e-mail, text messages or over the phone.

Online Banking Security

Our online banking system uses a combination of security technologies to protect data for the bank and our customer.  Our system requires multi-factor authentication to verify our users.  To help prevent infection by malware, always make sure that you browse trusted sites, you install software that only comes from reputable manufacturers, your system contains the latest anti-malware and anti-virus software, and is fully patched with the latest OS and software patches.  If you have any issues using our online banking product, please call us at 660-668-4416 between the hours of 8:00 am and 4:00 pm.

Debit Card Security

Keeping your account safe and secure is our highest priority.  As part of our Fraud Monitoring efforts, you may receive Shazam Fraud Alerts including text messages and phone calls.  You may also download the Shazam Bolt$ mobile app to setup card alerts as well as blocking and unblocking your card.

If your debit card is lost or stolen, please contact us immediately. To report a lost or stolen card after business hours, please call (800) 383-8000.

Simple steps to help protect you and your debit card:

  • Sign the back of your card as soon as you receive it.
  • Review your account activity on a regular basis with our electronic banking products.
  • Review your statements immediately for any activity that you do not recognize.
  • Be sure that all websites into which you put your card information are secure. The URL should start with https; not http.
  • Protect your cards like you would cash; try not to let them out of your sight.
  • Never give your card number over the phone unless you initiated the call and are dealing with a trusted source.
  • Do not keep your PIN with your debit card.

Personal Security

Protect yourself and your computer with these resources.

Malware, short for malicious software, is software written for ill-intended purposes. The term malware is used to describe viruses, worms, Trojan horses, adware, spyware, ransomware, rootkits, and other unwanted and potentially dangerous software.

  • Install good quality anti-malware software from a reputable vendor. If unsure what software to obtain, contact a professional computer services company.
  • Keep your computer’s and device’s operating systems (OS) up to date with the latest security patches. You should also keep all software that resides on your devices up to date with the latest security patches.
  • Visit only websites by reputable companies. Browsing questionable websites will increase your risk of being infected with malware.

Phishing is social engineering that uses fake e-mail, fraudulent Internet addresses, imposter websites, and “pop-ups” to impersonate a financial institution. Thieves send e-mails appearing to be from reputable sites or friends you may have.  These e-mails direct you to a site where you are asked to divulge information such as usernames, passwords, account numbers, etc. While fraudulent e-mails vary in content, they generally carry a common theme essential to their success; i.e. you must take action immediately or risk losing access to your account. Criminals will try to make their site look exactly like that of your bank.

  • Do not respond to e-mails that ask for confidential information. The Citizens-Farmers Bank will never request personal information such as usernames, passwords, etc. through an e-mail.
  • E-mails or phone calls that are too good to be true often are too good to be true.
  • If you were not expecting the e-mail, be suspicious.
  • Look for spelling and poor language usage in the email.
  • Beware of opening links or attachments from unknown or suspicious persons.