These days, so much of life happens online. We check our bank accounts from our phones, shop from our couches and the field, pay bills with a few clicks and stay connected with family and friends through social media.

All of that convenience is great, but it also creates opportunities for scammers.

Fraud has become increasingly sophisticated, and even the most careful person can be caught off guard by a convincing text, email or phone call. In fact, consumers reported losing more than $12.5 billion to fraud in 2024, a 25% increase from the year before, according to the Federal Trade Commission.

At St. Ansgar State Bank, protecting your financial information is something we take seriously. We have safeguards in place to protect our systems and data, and our employees receive ongoing training to help recognize potential threats.

Just as important, though, is helping you recognize them. You don't need to be a technology expert to protect yourself online. A few simple habits, along with knowing when to stop and ask questions, can make a big difference.


A Few Simple Habits Go a Long Way

One of the best places to start is with the basics.

Use strong, unique passwords for your important accounts rather than using the same password everywhere. When multifactor authentication, or MFA, is available, turn it on. It adds another layer of protection if your password ever falls into the wrong hands. Cybersecurity guidance recommends using the strongest form of MFA available to you.

It's also important to keep the software on your phone, tablet and computer up to date. Those update reminders are easy to put off, but updates often include important security improvements. And take a look at the apps on your devices from time to time. If you no longer use an app, especially one that stores personal information, consider deleting it.


Sometimes the Best Thing You Can Do Is Pause

Scammers are very good at creating a sense of urgency.

You may get a text saying there's a problem with your account. An email might tell you that you need to click a link immediately. A caller could claim to be from a bank, government agency or familiar business and insist that something needs to be taken care of right away.

That's a good time to take a breath and slow down.

Be cautious any time someone unexpectedly asks you for personal information, account information, a verification code or money. The FDIC also advises consumers to be especially wary of unexpected communications asking for sensitive information, even when the message appears to come from a legitimate organization.

If someone contacts you claiming to be from St. Ansgar State Bank and you're not sure the request is legitimate, don't be afraid to hang up or ignore the message and contact us directly.

We would much rather have you call and ask than take a chance.


Think About What You're Sharing

Social media is a wonderful way to keep up with friends and family, but it's worth remembering that scammers can see some of that information, too.

A birthday, pet's name, hometown, family connection or vacation post might seem harmless on its own. Taken together, those little pieces of information can help someone learn quite a bit about you.

Take a few minutes now and then to review your privacy settings and be thoughtful about what you share publicly.

The same idea applies when you're online away from home. Public Wi-Fi is convenient, but it isn't always secure. If you're checking financial information or doing something else sensitive, consider waiting until you're on a trusted network or using your cellular connection or personal hotspot instead.


Get to Know What's Normal for Your Accounts

One of the simplest ways to spot fraud is to know what's happening in your own accounts. Make a habit of checking your account activity and reviewing transactions. If you see a purchase, withdrawal or transfer you don't recognize, reach out to us. The FDIC recommends that consumers periodically review their bank accounts for signs of fraud and report suspicious activity.

It's also a good idea to slow down when shopping online. Take a second look at the website address before entering payment information, particularly if you arrived at the site by clicking a link in an email, text, social media post or advertisement.


And If Something Doesn't Seem Right...

Trust your instincts.

If you think you've shared information with a scammer or notice something suspicious involving your account, let us know as soon as possible. The sooner you reach out, the sooner we can help you determine what steps may need to be taken.

If your identity has been stolen, you can also report it at IdentityTheft.gov, where the FTC provides a personalized recovery plan. Depending on what information was compromised, you may also want to place a fraud alert or security freeze on your credit reports.

Most importantly, don't be embarrassed to ask for help. Scammers are professionals at what they do, and their tactics are becoming increasingly convincing. Being cautious isn't overreacting. It's being smart.


We're Here for You

Banking has changed quite a bit over the years, but one thing hasn't: the importance of knowing who you can turn to when you have a question or concern.

At St. Ansgar State Bank, we're committed to doing our part to protect your financial information, and we're here to help you do the same. So, if that text looks a little strange, a phone call doesn't feel quite right or you're simply not sure what to do, stop before you click, respond or send money. Then give us a call.

We'd always rather answer a question than see one of our customers become the victim of a scam.

p St. Ansgar 641-713-4501 | p Stacyville 641-710-2320 | email: info@stansgarbank.com