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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

Calculate Your Monthly Mortgage Loan Payment (with Taxes and Insurance) A mortgage loan calculator with taxes and insurance can help prospective homeowners prepare for the financial responsibility of owning a home. Purchasing a home may be one of the biggest decisions you ever make, so it is important to know how much your mortgage payment will be each month after taxes and insurance are added, so you can know how much house you can afford. How Much House Can I Afford? First Bank* provides a mortgage loan calculator with taxes and insurance for potential homebuyers who want to estimate their monthly payments before applying for a loan. Before you use the calculator, you will need to gather the following information: Loan term in years Purchase price Percentage down Interest rate Annual tax Annual insurance Once you have all of the necessary information, you can click here to calculate your potential monthly mortgage payment.** Applying for a Home Loan Now that you’ve calculated how much house you can afford, you may be ready to apply for a mortgage loan. You can get the homebuying process started by visiting First Bank’s online Mortgage Center. Our Mortgage Center provides you with tools, tips, and tricks to help you find a loan that meets all of your needs. Whether you are a first-time home buyer or ready to build your vacation home, we can structure a loan to meet your needs. First Bank offers a variety of home loan options*** with competitive interest rates, including : Conventional loans Government loans Professional loans Jumbo loans Construction loans Dream It, Own It loans The path to quickly finding an affordable home loan starts at First Bank. When you’re ready to apply, all you have to do is start an online application or visit your local branch to speak with one of our home loan experts. *Member FDIC. Equal Housing Lender. NMLS #474504. **Determining exact rates and payments can be a complex process. Your exact rates and payment amounts will depend on a number of factors including geographical location and personal financial information. This tool provides you with an estimate of payments based on the information you put in but does not guarantee them. Loans are subject to credit and collateral approval. ***Loans subject to credit approval. 2 min read

Best Savings Account – North Carolina Finding some of the best savings account in North Carolina may seem like a difficult task. After all, there are hundreds of North Carolina banks offering savings accounts. How do you go about determining which account is right for you? Savings Account Options with First Bank Finding the best savings account in North Carolina that meets your unique needs is easy with First Bank. Our account options include: 1. Everywhere Savings — Our most basic account designed to meet the saving needs of anyone. It includes: 2 free withdrawals per month* No minimum balance to earn interest Free online and mobile banking** 2. MyFirst Savings — An account designed to teach children and teens under 18 the value of saving. It includes features like: 2 free withdrawals per month* No minimal balance to earn interest Free online and mobile banking** Only $10 required to open account 3. Money Market — For customers who want to earn interest at a higher rate while still having access to their funds. This account includes: 6 free withdrawals per month* Interest-earning account access $1,000 minimum to open account Free online and mobile banking** First Bank also offers: Certificates of Deposit (CDs) with a fixed rate and choice of terms. IRAs for a long-term savings. Health Savings Accounts (HSAs) to help you save for current and future health expenses. To view and compare all of our savings account options, click here. Visit Your Local First Bank Today At First Bank, we are dedicated to providing our customers with the best savings account options in North Carolina. Visit a location near you to learn more about opening an account, or visit our website today. To learn more about First Bank, visit these related articles: Best Savings Account Rates in North Carolina, What is a Child Savings Account, or Stress-Free Savings Account – North Carolina. *Withdrawal fee of $2 each after the first two during the month. Federal regulations limit withdrawals of preauthorized transfers to six (6) per month, including checks, drafts, online transfers, telephone transfers and debit card purchases. You may conduct an unlimited number of withdrawals at the ATM, in person at a branch, or by mail when the check is mailed to you. **While First Bank does 3 min read

Best Bank for Checking Account – South Carolina With options like First Bank, you shouldn’t have to feel uncertain about whether or not you’re making the right choices with your hard earned cash. Make the switch to First Bank and you’ll see why we are the best bank for a checking account in South Carolina and North Carolina. Checking Account Options at First Bank First Bank wants you to be able to answer the question, “What is the best bank for a checking account in South Carolina?” with confidence. That is why we offer five checking account options for individuals who are looking to get the most out of their money and bank. Each of our checking accounts comes with free online and mobile banking,* online bill pay, and free eStatements or paper statements. Our individual checking account options include: Our basic Everywhere Checking account Our Everywhere Plus that has all the benefits of Everywhere Checking, plus the chance to accrue interest Our Everywhere Premium account that has all the basics of Everywhere Plus, plus additional complimentary services A Campus Checking account designed for college students A Senior Checking account specifically for seniors over 55 Visit a First Bank Today First Bank’s dedication to its customers doesn’t end with our checking accounts. We offer more personal banking options, such as savings accounts and credit cards, as well as banking business banking options, a variety of mortgage products, wealth management options, and insurance. Visit a First Bank location in South Carolina today. *While First Bank does not charge for mobile banking, check with your mobile service provider for web access fees. iPhone®, and iPod Touch® are registered trademarks of Apple, Inc. Android™ is a trademark of Google Inc. Compatibility notice: The First Bank mobile app is not currently compatible with iOS7, the new operating system for iPhone, iPad® and iPod Touch®. We are aware of the issue and are working on an update to address it. We apologize for any inconvenience. ——— Sources: Investopedia: http://www.investopedia.com/terms/c/checkingaccount.asp Investopedia: http://www.investopedia.com/terms/i/interest.asp 2 min read

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