Skip to main content
_FB_2018-Icons-finalized-cleaned-up_new_FB_2018-Icons-finalized-cleaned-up_newGroup 9
Find Your Local Branch
Back
Scroll to top

5 Tips for Safely Managing Your Finances Online

Personal Finances 2 min read

Ready to talk to an expert?

Find A Location Get In Touch

Creating an online account with your bank can make your life a lot easier. You can track your finances from wherever you are, instantly access balance information, transfer funds, and pay bills, all with a few simple clicks.

Plus, online banking allows you to be a bit greener and save room in your file folders with paperless monthly banking statements.

But as with most online interactions, it is not completely without risk. To mitigate, here are a few simple tips to help you safely manage your finances online.

Choose a Good Username and Password

Create a username that you’re not likely to forget but someone might have a hard time guessing. Avoid using your first or last name only.

For your password, the key is complexity. Use a combination of letters and numbers, but make sure it’s meaningful to you so you don’t forget it. Avoid passwords like 1234, password, or ABCD.

Check Your Browser Setting

Make sure you are on the secure version of your banking site, often marked by “https” in the link window (versus the more common “http”). The “s” indicates a secure connection has been established.

Check Your Account Every Day

By keeping account balances front of mind, you can not only prevent instances of overdrafts, but also make sure all the online activity in your accounts is approved.

If you still maintain a personal ledger via software or a checkbook, compare it to the one online. This allows you to closely monitor any unauthorized transactions.

Always Completely Log Off From Your Online Banking Session

Make sure you have logged off beyond just closing the online banking session window. You want to be completely signed out so that anyone who might use the computer after you won’t be able to access or manipulate the information you’ve left behind.

You can also clear the browser’s history before closing the window. Depending on your settings, this will completely wipe out the pages browsed, the cache, and any cookies that sites might have placed in your computer while you were using it.

Be Sure Your Firewall, Spyware and Virus Checkers Are All Up to Date

Every measure you can take to reinforce your computer against intruders of any kind will only help make your online banking experience a more secure one.

Ready to talk to an expert?

Find A Location Get In Touch
Share:
First Bank’s Good To Know Logo
Sign up for our newsletter and be the first to know about new tips, insights, and products from First Bank.
First Bank may use this email address to contact you about products, services, and promotions.

You may be interested in...

Your Community Bank in North Carolina Are you wondering how your community bank stacks up against some of the national banks in North Carolina? Well, don’t believe that community banks versus big banks comparisons are always infallible. First Bank debunks many of these proposed theories. Let’s first take a look at the pros of big banks and how First Bank, despite being a local bank, fits right in: Plenty of ATMs and branches. There’s this notion that local banks don’t have enough branches to meet the convenience level of their national competitors. But First Bank has more than 90 locations throughout North Carolina, from Kill Devil Hills in the east to Asheville in the west. Deep menu of financial services. The other misconception about your community banks is that they only offer very basic services. But in addition to checking and savings accounts, First Bank proudly offers personal and business loans, mortgages, investment options, credit cards and more. Cutting-edge tech tools. Where did this idea that only big banks can offer the latest in technology come from? First Bank customers enjoy digital banking from their home computers or wireless devices, remote and mobile check deposit, text message account alerts, and more. The Pros of Your Community Bank Now that we’ve debunked the most popular “negatives” of local banks, let’s examine the pros of community banks as listed in the article just to make sure First Bank accomplishes those as well. Trademark personal service. This is the backbone of First Bank. We take the time to get to know you personally, so we can cater to your every financial need. More checking options*. First Bank’s checking and savings accounts have ways of avoiding First Bank monthly maintenance fees by meeting certain requirements. As you can see, your community First Bank is small enough to capture all the advantages of local banks but capable of serving customers just like a big bank. Find your nearest community First Bank in North Carolina and experience the best of both worlds. __________________________________________________________________________ Account holders may avoid the Monthly Maintenance Fee by meeting any of the requirements listed in the Keep it Fee FreeTM section of the account summary table for their account type. Other account service fees may apply as described 2 min read
Your Community Bank If you live in North Carolina or South Carolina, you have a ton of banking options right outside your door. Large financial institutions may seem like your best option for banking services at first, but community banks typically offer more consumer-friendly services and fewer fees. Choose the Right Community Bank First Bank is your community bank that cares about local roots. Since 1935, we have been providing our customers with community-centric banking services, including: Personal banking options, such as checking accounts, savings accounts, debit and credit cards, personal loans, and more. Business banking options, like checking and savings accounts, business loans, merchant services, and treasury services. Wealth management services, like asset managements, mutual funds, and estate services. Insurance products, such as life and health insurance for individuals and commercial insurance for businesses. Mortgage loan options, including conventional, government, jumbo, first-time home buyer, and more. The Benefits of a Community Bank According to Bankrate.com there are many other advantages to choosing a community bank over a big bank. For example: Community banks are relationship-based, and the employees typically know you and your whole family on a personal level. Community banks are also smaller and can therefore offer personalized service. Community banks also typically offer lower fees and lower balance requirements than big banks. Being smaller allows community banks to have more lending flexibility than bigger banks Community banks tend to stick to their local roots, which means they strive to offer great services with low fees and give back to the community. First Bank is small enough to know you like a neighbor, large enough to handle all of your banking needs, and dedicated to supporting our local communities. To learn more about us and our banking services, visit your local First Bank branch today. ——— Sources: Bankrate: http://www.bankrate.com/banking/community-banks-vs-big-banks/ 2 min read
Image for tile. How to Spot Fraud: Four Signs That it’s a Scam 1. Scammers Pretend to Be From an Organization You Know One of the most common tactics scammers use is posing as a trusted organization, such as a government agency, utility provider, or even your bank. They might claim to be from the IRS, Social Security Administration, or a local business you’re familiar with. Using technology to spoof phone numbers, they can make it look like the call is coming from a legitimate source. What You Can Do: Always verify the source independently. Look up the organization’s official contact number and call them directly. Be wary of unsolicited communications, especially if they request sensitive information. Don’t trust caller ID alone; it can be easily manipulated. First Bank Customers:  NEVER share your secure access codes. If you receive a suspicious call, email, or text from someone claiming to be a First Bank representative asking for a code that was sent to your phone or email, STOP all communication. First Bank will NEVER ask for that information. Please STOP all communication with that person and call First Bank customer support at 1-866-792-4357. 2. Scammers Say There’s a Problem or a Prize Scammers often appeal to fear or excitement. They might claim you owe money to the government, that there’s an issue with one of your accounts, or that you’ve won a prize. The catch? You’ll need to provide personal information or pay a fee to resolve the issue or claim your reward. What You Can Do: Pause and think. Legitimate organizations don’t ask for immediate payments or sensitive information over the phone or via email. Be cautious of high-pressure tactics; they’re designed to make you act without thinking. If it seems too good to be true, it probably is. 3. Scammers Pressure You to Act Immediately A sense of urgency is a hallmark of scam attempts. Fraudsters don’t want to give you time to think, verify their claims, or consult someone else. They might threaten legal action, suspension of accounts, or worse to coerce you into acting quickly. What You Can Do: Take your time. Legitimate organizations will not rush you or threaten you into making hasty decisions. Hang up if a caller refuses to let you disconnect or tries to intimidate you. Reach out to a trusted advisor or your bank for guidance if you’re unsure. 4. Scammers Tell You to Pay in a Specific Way Another red flag is when scammers demand payment via unconventional methods like cryptocurrency, payment apps, wire transfers, or gift cards. They might also send a fake check and ask you to deposit it before transferring money back to them. What You Can Do: Be suspicious of requests for payment via gift cards or cryptocurrency; these methods are often untraceable. Never send money or provide financial information based on a request from an unsolicited call, email, or message. If you receive a check, wait for your bank to verify its authenticity before using the funds. Final Tips for Staying Safe Educate Yourself and Others: Share these tips with family and friends to help them avoid scams. Trust Your Instincts: If something feels off, it probably is. Always err on the side of caution. Report Suspicious Activity: If you suspect fraud, contact your bank immediately and report the incident to local authorities or organizations like the FTC. By staying vigilant and informed, you can protect yourself from scammers and safeguard your financial well-being. Remember: Your bank is here to help. If you ever have questions or concerns, don’t hesitate to reach out. First Bank is Here to Help If you feel that you have fallen victim to a scam, what should you do next? At First Bank, we recommend calling us immediately. You may reach us at 1‑866‑792‑4357 between the hours of 7:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Monday through Friday or 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. on Saturday. Or you may submit an e‑mail message to fraud@localfirstbank.com. Our associates are trained in fraud response and will advise you on your next steps. Stop by your nearest First Bank branch to talk through any questions or concerns you might have about your account security or how our different banking policies work to keep you safe. If you can’t make it to one of our branches, call our customer support center at 1-866-792-4357. 4 min read
Finance 101: Banking Basics Finance 101: Investing in your financial future is one of the smartest things you can do. But there is more to building healthy finances than simply stashing away extra cash in your piggy bank. In this article, we cover a wide range of topics to help you learn the basics of finance and help you make educated decisions regarding your financial future. Checking Accounts For those new to finance, opening a checking account is a great first step. A checking account enables you to deposit money into an account that can be accessed by writing a check, using your debit card, or withdrawing money from your bank’s automated teller machine (ATM). The biggest advantage to having a checking account is that it keeps your money safe while allowing you to access it when needed. Unlike cash, if your debit card becomes lost or stolen your bank can put a stop on your account, prohibiting unauthorized users to access your money. Tips for using a checking account: Keep a running balance of your account to avoid overdrawing your account. Most banks charge an overdraft fee for purchases that are made with insufficient funds. Consider overdraft protection if your bank offers it to you. Familiarize yourself with your account’s minimum balance requirements. Savings Accounts A savings account is less accessible than a checking account, as the Federal Reserve limits the number of free transfers or withdrawals you can make from a savings account. According to Investopedia, “A regular savings account is easy to set up and maintain. You can usually link this type of savings account directly to your checking account at the same bank and quickly and easily move money between the two accounts. Having these two accounts linked can sometimes help you avoid overdraft charges and/or under-the-minimum-balance fees from your checking account.” Having a savings account can help you set aside money for emergencies and help you save for large purchases, all while earning interest. Credit Building and maintaining good credit will provide several advantages to you, including: Lower financing rates More negotiating power Attractive mortgage and refinancing rates Higher credit card limits and rewards While getting a credit card is a great first step to building your credit, maxing out your credit card, failing to pay your credit card bill 4 min read
First Bank logo
Powered by  GDPR Cookie Compliance
Privacy Overview

This website uses cookies so that we can provide you with the best user experience possible. Cookie information is stored in your browser and performs functions such as recognizing you when you return to our website and helping our team to understand which sections of the website are the most popular and useful.