Fraud Alert

Please read this information carefully. There is an attempt by individuals from around the world to defraud banking customers. This is most commonly referred to as phishing. Using this fraud, an individual initiates emails to thousands of potential victims with a variation on the theme that there is some problem with the customer’s account at the bank or they are verifying customer information. Under the circumstances, the customer has not initiated the contact. What the criminal really wants is your account number, social security number, etc.

First South Bank will never ask you for your account number, social security number, PIN number, etc through an email, unless it is in response to an inquiry initiated by you. Normal email is not a secure method of communication. If we respond to an inquiry initiated by our customer, we will use an encrypted email to ensure security. If you receive an email purporting to be from the bank asking you to input this type of information and you did not contact us first about a problem, do not respond. It is not from our bank.

For more information on this fraud, we have provided a link to a Federal Reserve Bank document on phishing (click here for document). It will provide you with a free, downloadable, camera ready brochure to help you identify and combat this Internet scam.