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The Startling Cost of College

Personal Finances 1 min read

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There’s a startling financial truth for those enrolled in college and recent graduates: a higher education almost always comes with a significant price tag—and debt.

Below, we take a look at the numbers. But don’t worry! We’re here to help you whether you’re planning for school, in the middle of your education, or a freshly minted graduate. Come see us today.

Happy Financial Literacy Month with tips

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Mobile Check Deposits from Anywhere Before mobile phones and tablets, checks had to be cashed in person or by mail. Now, mobile check deposits allows you to deposit your checks from anywhere, so long as your mobile device has Internet or cellular service. Most banks provide mobile apps to make the process easier, and First Bank* is no exception. First Bank provides mobile check deposits** for businesses and individuals so that you can deposit a check from anywhere, safely and securely. How Mobile Check Deposits Work Mobile check deposit use digital technology to deposit money into your account. All you need is a smartphone or tablet with a good camera. Here’s how it works: Sign Checks and Find a Flat Surface Even with digital deposits, the back of a check needs to be signed by the account holder. For added security, you can also include a restricted endorsement, such as, “For Mobile Deposit Only” underneath your signature. Next, find a flat, well-lit surface. This will help you get the best possible image. Take Photos Using the App Using the secure camera within First Bank’s mobile banking app snap a picture of the front and back of the check. You’ll see prompts on the screen that will help guide you. Make sure to wait for the camera to focus before taking the picture so that numbers and letters are clear. Deposit multiple checks per day using your mobile app. At First Bank, individuals can deposit up to $5,000 in mobile checks in one day, and business accounts can deposit up to $10,000 per month*. Deposit Your Checks When you press deposit, the pictures of your checks are sent to our databases and reviewed. At First Bank, if you deposit your checks before 6 PM on a normal business day, your funds will appear in your account the next day (if approved). Check Your Email for Verification First Bank sends an email verification for all mobile check deposit transactions for your records. Get More with Mobile Banking First Bank offers comprehensive mobile banking** options for the modern consumer. Our app is available in both the iTunes and Google Play stores, and can be used to deposit checks, transfer funds, manage accounts, stop payments, and link to external 3 min read
Image for tile. What is Phone Spoofing? False Caller ID Information What is Phone Spoofing? Phone spoofing is when scammers manipulate caller ID to make it appear as though they are calling from a local number, a trusted business, or even a government agency. This deception is used to trick you into answering the call and engaging with them, often leading to financial fraud or identity theft. How to Spot a Spoofing Scam Scammers use various techniques to gain your trust or create panic. Here are some red flags to watch out for: Unexpected calls or texts from familiar-looking numbers – Just because a number appears local doesn’t mean it is. Requests for personal or financial information – No legitimate organization will call or text and ask for your Social Security number, account details, or passwords. Pressure to make immediate payments – Scammers often try to create urgency, threatening legal action or service disconnection if you don’t pay immediately. Automated messages asking you to press a button – This is often a tactic to confirm your number is active, leading to more scam calls. How to Protect Yourself The good news is there are steps you can take to avoid becoming a victim of spoofing scams: Don’t answer calls or texts from unknown numbers – If the call is important, the caller will leave a message. Hang up immediately – If you answer and realize it’s a scam, don’t engage. Just hang up. Verify the caller’s identity – If a caller claims to be from a trusted organization, hang up and call the company directly using a verified number from their official website or a recent bill. Make sure you manually enter the correct phone number, don’t trust your caller ID incase the number was spoofed. Be skeptical of unexpected requests – Whether it’s an offer that sounds too good to be true or a demand for urgent payment, always be cautious. Avoid sharing personal information – Never provide sensitive details over the phone unless you are 100% sure of the caller’s legitimacy. Use call-blocking tools – Many phone carriers offer services to help block suspected spam and scam calls. Report suspicious calls – You can report spoofing scams to law enforcement, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) at fcc.gov/spoofing, or the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) at reportfraud.ftc.gov. Report suspicious texts – You can report spam text messages to your wireless provider by forwarding it to 7726 (SPAM). This helps your wireless provider spot and block similar messages in the future. Use these links for instructions on how to forward a text message: iPhone instructions or Android instructions Stay Aware, Stay Safe At First Bank, we prioritize your security and want to help you stay informed about potential scams. By staying aware and taking preventive measures, you can protect yourself from fraudsters and keep your personal information secure. 3 min read
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