Privacy Policy

Your personal privacy is important. At F&C Bank, we recognize that whether you are an existing customer or are considering a relationship with us, you have an interest in how we collect, retain and use information about you and your business relationship with us. Because of our interest in protecting your privacy, F&C Bank has adopted the following policy, continuing in our commitment to provide quality service to you, our valued customer.

View our Privacy Policy

Security

At F&C Bank, our customers’ safety and security is a priority. We are committed to protecting the security and confidentiality of customer information and go to great lengths to ensue security through our Web site, Online Banking system and within each branch.

Please read the following information to learn how to protect yourself and your personal information.

Online Banking Security and Tips

F&C Bank offers safe, secure and convenient Online Banking. Being knowledgeable and taking precautions will ensure your information remains private. If you have any questions regarding Online Banking, or if you believe that your account security has been compromised, contact us at 816-850-5516.

Online Banking Security

When you are on a secure page, communication between your browser and our Web server is protected by Secure Sockets Layer (SSL) technology. Only our servers have the code that can read the secure messages transmitted on our site.

To ensure that our customers get the most out of the SSL technology, Online Banking requires the use of a Web browser that supports 128-bit encryption.

IMPORTANT NOTICE: DO NOT SEND YOUR ACCOUNT NUMBER OR ANY OTHER SENSITIVE INFORMATION IN AN E-MAIL.

Security Features

• Two Layer Security – Your personal account has two layers of security—your PIN (personal identification number) and your account number. Both are specific to your account only.
• Password Protection – We require a password with a minimum of eight characters, maximum of 17 characters. Your password is case sensitive and must contain two numeric characters (e.g., 1,2), two alpha characters (e.g., a,b), and two special characters (e.g., &,+).
  For your protection, your password will expire every two months. After it expires, you will be prompted to change your password the next time you logon to Online Banking.. Password Tips
• Invalid Logins – As a protection feature, we will lock access to your Online Banking account after three failed login attempts. This is done to prevent people from trying to guess their way into your Online Banking account. In order to reactive your account, the account holder must contact us at 816-850-5516.

• Time-Out Feature – If you are logged into your account and there has been no activity for an extended period of time, we will automatically log you out. The default time-out period is 10 minutes.

Online Banking Tips

1. Use anti-virus software and a firewall. These programs can protect you from unwanted viruses and add an extra level of protection. Your operating system may already provide this service. After you have installed these programs, take advantage of updates from the manufacturer.
2. Use the most current operating system and update it regularly. Newer operating systems offer better levels of security. To find out if you have the most-current operating system and all the updates available, visit your operating system’s Web site:

   www.microsoft.com
   www.firefox.com
   www.apple.com

3. Use the most current Web browser. This ensures a safer connection to the Internet.
4. Block Spyware. “Spyware” and “Adware” can record information you have provided over the Internet. To stop Spyware and Adware from getting to your computer, never download software from unknown sources and scan your computer for Spyware and Adware often. There are software programs available to the public, which scan your computer for these intruders.
5. Logoff Online Banking when you’re done. When you’ve completed your Online Banking session, make sure to hit the “Logoff” button. Logging off will clear any cookies on the computer related to the online banking session.

Password Tips

1. Create a username and password that are difficult to guess.
2. Do not share your username and password with anyone.
3. Do not write down your username or password.
4. Do not select for a Web site to remember your password if you are on a public computer.

Phishing

Phishing is one of the most common types of online fraud. It is a scam in which consumers are sent e-mails that appear to be from a financial institution they know or use. The e-mail may tell you there is an issue with your account and ask you to follow a link to the Web site to update your information. This Web site appears to be from the financial institution you know, but is not.

These phishers will ask you for personal information such as your account number, credit card number, Social Security number or other personal information.

• Never respond to an e-mail asking for your personal information. A reputable bank or company will never send you an e-mail asking for that type of information.
• Make sure you always type in the correct Web address to reach your bank (www.fandcbank.com)
• Contact F&C Bank if you feel you have received an e-mail that may be a scam.

What to do if you think you’ve been a victim of a phishing scam

• Contact F&C Bank immediately at 816-850-5516.
• Notify any of the three credit bureaus.
• File a complaint with the Federal Trade Commission.

Identity Theft

According to the Federal Trade Commission, identity theft is one of the fastest growing crimes in America. Luckily, there are several things you can do to make it more difficult for someone to steal your identity.

• Monitor your bank statements and bills. Know approximately when these arrive so you’re aware if a bill or statement is missing.
• Order a free credit report at least once a year at www.annualcreditreport.com or by calling 1-877-322-8228. Look for errors in the report and any activity you didn’t authorize.
• Buy a shredder and shred documents with personal information.
• Keep track of your credit card receipts and store them in a safe place until your credit card statement arrives for you to reconcile.
• Do not put your Social Security Number on your checks.
• Do not carry your Social Security Card with you in a purse or wallet.
• Do not use your Social Security Number as your driver’s license number.
• Do not leave bills or anything else with personal information in your mailbox for the mail carrier to pick up. Drop them off at a post office box.
• If you’re purchasing something online, make sure the site is secure by looking at the Web address. If the address begins with “https” instead of “http,” the site is secure.
• If you are moving, contact your bank and creditors immediately to get your information updated.

1. Contact the fraud department of any one of the three consumer reporting companies to place a fraud alert on your credit report. The fraud alert tells creditors to contact you before opening any new accounts or making any changes to your existing accounts. You only need to contact one of the three companies to place an alert. The company you call is required to contact the other two, which will place an alert on their versions of your report, too. Once you place the fraud alert in your file, you're entitled to order free copies of your credit reports, and, if you ask, only the last four digits of your Social Security number will appear on your credit reports.
2. Close the accounts that you know or believe have been tampered with or opened fraudulently. Use the ID Theft Affidavit when disputing new unauthorized accounts.
3. File a report with your local police or the police in the community where the identity theft took place. Get a copy of the report or at the very least, the number of the report, to submit to your creditors and others that may require proof of the crime.
4. File your complaint with the FTC. The FTC maintains a database of identity theft cases used by law enforcement agencies for investigations. Filing a complaint also helps us learn more about identity theft and the problems victims are having so that we can better assist you.

For more in-depth information on recovering from identity theft and help with specific problems, read Take Charge: Fighting Back Against Identity Theft.

*Taken from the Federal Trade Commission, www.ftc.gov .

Tips Against Loan Fraud

In recent months there have been reports of unscrupulous operators who trick homeowners into signing for loans they cannot repay and then foreclose on the property. In some variations, the con artists persuade consumers to pay outrageous up-front fees and then never make the loan. Either way, a scam has been perpetrated.

F&C Bank wants to help you avoid getting caught in these scams. These tips can help you avoid problems.

1. SEE YOUR BANKER FIRST. Your banker knows the community and is best able to work with you to structure a loan that works right for you.
2. TAKE YOUR TIME. If someone offers to do home repairs and says he'll arrange the financing, tell him you'll accept only written bids with references from satisfied customers. Analyze all bids carefully, check references and ask another person you can trust - your banker, a member of the clergy or a relative or neighbor who has knowledge about financing - to help you review them.
3. GET ALL THE FACTS. Under current law you have the right to know the total cost of the loan, the annual percentage rate (APR), the amount of monthly payments and the length of time you have to pay back the loan.
4. WATCH THE CLAIMS AND THE FEES. Beware of claims that bad credit or lack of credit is "no problem." Most legitimate lenders don't make this claim. Beware also of firms that ask for up-front application fees.
5. READ CONTRACTS COMPLETELY. No legitimate lender will demand an instant decision, and people who try to rush things may be conning you. Don't sign any document without first carefully reviewing it.
6. MAKE SURE THAT THE LOAN FITS YOUR BUDGET. If the payment won't fit comfortably into your budget, don't accept it - especially if it might take away the roof over your head. If the amount of the monthly payment isn't fully disclosed in advance, and the interest rate too, don't accept the loan.

Education

To keep updated on the latest scams and learn more about identity theft, visit these sites:

Internet Fraud Complaint Center: http://www.usa.gov/Citizen/Topics/Internet_Fraud.shtml

Virus Bulletin: http://www.virusbtn.com

Department of Justice Identity Theft Page: http://www.usdoj.gov/criminal/fraud/idtheft.html

Credit Bureaus

Equifax: 1-800-525-6285; www.equifax.com ; P.O. Box 740241, Atlanta, GA 30374-0241

Experian: 1-888-EXPERIAN (397-3742); www.experian.com ; P.O. Box 9532, Allen, TX 75013

TransUnion: 1-800-680-7289; www.transunion.com ; Fraud Victim Assistance Division, P.O. Box 6790, Fullerton, CA 92834-6790