MIDSTATES BANK >> Security Policy

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SECURITY POLICY

**Important Reminder**

Midstates Bank will never call and ask for account information over the phone. Under no circumstances should you give out your social security number, account numbers or PIN's to anyone via e-mail or over the phone. Please advise our staff if you receive any phone calls, or emails requesting such information.

Economic Stimulus Refund IRS Phishing Advisory

Simply Put: A new phishing scam is currently making its way around the internet. Phishers are sending out email which appears to come from the IRS with information on your 2008 Economic Stimulus Refund. The email requests that you fill out an online form with your personal information so the check can be directly deposited in your bank account. The link to the form is included in the email. This email is not from the IRS, and is designed to steal a person’s identity.

Attack Details: Hoax-slayer.com has examples of both the email and the form in its advisory (linked below). Some emails also include malicious code embedded in the email. All emails matching this description should be deleted when received. Do not read the email or click on any embedded links.

Countermeasures: Users should be notified that these emails are circulating the internet. Do not open or respond to any emails asking for personal information. If an email appears to come from a known source, browse to the company’s website to double-check the authenticity of the information. Type in the company’s address manually, do not rely on embedded links.

Reference Links: hoax-slayer.com advisory IRS advisory

7 Golden Rules for Fighting Identity Theft

Never use someone else's computer to access any of your accounts that are set-up to require passwords or logins.

Change your passwords regularly and make sure that you select unique ones. We change our clocks twice a year and this is a good time to remember to change your password and update computer protection. Make sure you do not write down passwords.

Under no circumstances should you give out your social security number, account numbers or PIN's to anyone via e-mail or over the phone.

Don't allow yourself to be phished. A publisher impersonates a legitimate company with an official looking e-mail. You are requested, with urgency, to go to a special site to update your account information. Never respond to such emails!

Remove mail promptly from your mailbox. Never use your mailbox for outgoing mail. Identity thieves raid mailboxes for credit card offers and statements.

Always shred old files, expired credit cards, unsolicited credit card applications, unused checks and deposit slips since these items all contain important personal information that thieves could use.

Never set up your computer system to remember your password. This feature although helpful, allows entry into your system.

Protecting Yourself from Cashier Check Fraud - What Every Bank Customer Should Know

Consumers who sell items through online auctions or classified ads should be on the lookout for scam artists who pay with counterfeit cashier's checks. The scam takes many forms, but generally involves an offer for an item, apartment or service for sale from a person the victim doesn't know (often from another country). The scam artist sends a high-quality, but counterfeit, cashier's check as payment, which the victim presents to their bank. Due to the sophistication of these forgeries, they are difficult to discover before the bank makes the funds available to the victim. In another common scenario, the scam artist sends a bogus check for an amount greater than the purchase price. The scam artist offers what seems like a reasonable explanation for the overpayment and asks the victim to wire back the difference. Again, this all takes place before the forgery can be detected.

Protect Yourself: Understand that although the bank may allow you to withdraw money from a cashier's check, that doesn't necessarily mean the check has cleared.

Remember: You are responsible for the funds until your bank has received the proceeds from the institution where the check originated

Be cautious of transactions with strangers who pay with cashier's checks

Avoid any situation where someone pays more than the purchase price of an item and demands that the extra money be returned. Ask for a new check in the correct amount

Be suspect of any cashier's check that just shows up in the mail, especially if it has a "congratulations" letter attached

Hold any funds provided by cashier's check from someone you don't know for at least 30 to 45 days to ensure that funds are valid.

Checking your Credit

Experts say to guard against identity theft by checking your credit once a year. You can obtain a free credit report once a year from each of the credit reporting agencies - Experian, Equifax and Trans Union online at: www.annualcreditreport.com or Toll Free at: 1-877-322-8228

DISCLAIMER: The bank is not responsible for and has no control over the subject matter, content, information, or graphics when viewing links attached to this bank’s site.

This site is optimized for display on Handheld Devices. | Visit Our Flash Site.

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Quick Links ▼ Careers About Us Contact Us Branch Locations ATM Locations	SECURITY POLICY Important Reminder Midstates Bank will never call and ask for account information over the phone. Under no circumstances should you give out your social security number, account numbers or PIN's to anyone via e-mail or over the phone. Please advise our staff if you receive any phone calls, or emails requesting such information. Economic Stimulus Refund IRS Phishing Advisory Simply Put: A new phishing scam is currently making its way around the internet. Phishers are sending out email which appears to come from the IRS with information on your 2008 Economic Stimulus Refund. The email requests that you fill out an online form with your personal information so the check can be directly deposited in your bank account. The link to the form is included in the email. This email is not from the IRS, and is designed to steal a person’s identity. Attack Details: Hoax-slayer.com has examples of both the email and the form in its advisory (linked below). Some emails also include malicious code embedded in the email. All emails matching this description should be deleted when received. Do not read the email or click on any embedded links. Countermeasures: Users should be notified that these emails are circulating the internet. Do not open or respond to any emails asking for personal information. If an email appears to come from a known source, browse to the company’s website to double-check the authenticity of the information. Type in the company’s address manually, do not rely on embedded links. Reference Links: hoax-slayer.com advisory IRS advisory 7 Golden Rules for Fighting Identity Theft Never use someone else's computer to access any of your accounts that are set-up to require passwords or logins. Change your passwords regularly and make sure that you select unique ones. We change our clocks twice a year and this is a good time to remember to change your password and update computer protection. Make sure you do not write down passwords. Under no circumstances should you give out your social security number, account numbers or PIN's to anyone via e-mail or over the phone. Don't allow yourself to be phished. A publisher impersonates a legitimate company with an official looking e-mail. You are requested, with urgency, to go to a special site to update your account information. Never respond to such emails! Remove mail promptly from your mailbox. Never use your mailbox for outgoing mail. Identity thieves raid mailboxes for credit card offers and statements. Always shred old files, expired credit cards, unsolicited credit card applications, unused checks and deposit slips since these items all contain important personal information that thieves could use. Never set up your computer system to remember your password. This feature although helpful, allows entry into your system. Protecting Yourself from Cashier Check Fraud - What Every Bank Customer Should Know Consumers who sell items through online auctions or classified ads should be on the lookout for scam artists who pay with counterfeit cashier's checks. The scam takes many forms, but generally involves an offer for an item, apartment or service for sale from a person the victim doesn't know (often from another country). The scam artist sends a high-quality, but counterfeit, cashier's check as payment, which the victim presents to their bank. Due to the sophistication of these forgeries, they are difficult to discover before the bank makes the funds available to the victim. In another common scenario, the scam artist sends a bogus check for an amount greater than the purchase price. The scam artist offers what seems like a reasonable explanation for the overpayment and asks the victim to wire back the difference. Again, this all takes place before the forgery can be detected. Protect Yourself: Understand that although the bank may allow you to withdraw money from a cashier's check, that doesn't necessarily mean the check has cleared. Remember: You are responsible for the funds until your bank has received the proceeds from the institution where the check originated Be cautious of transactions with strangers who pay with cashier's checks Avoid any situation where someone pays more than the purchase price of an item and demands that the extra money be returned. Ask for a new check in the correct amount Be suspect of any cashier's check that just shows up in the mail, especially if it has a "congratulations" letter attached Hold any funds provided by cashier's check from someone you don't know for at least 30 to 45 days to ensure that funds are valid. Checking your Credit Experts say to guard against identity theft by checking your credit once a year. You can obtain a free credit report once a year from each of the credit reporting agencies - Experian, Equifax and Trans Union online at: www.annualcreditreport.com or Toll Free at: 1-877-322-8228
PRIVACY POLICY \| SECURITY POLICY DISCLAIMER: The bank is not responsible for and has no control over the subject matter, content, information, or graphics when viewing links attached to this bank’s site. This site is optimized for display on Handheld Devices. \| Visit Our Flash Site.