Protecting your personal information is our number one priority!

Fairfield County Bank recognizes your need for security. Whether it is on our website, within online or mobile banking, at an ATM, or while you are going about your daily life, we are Here For You!

Remote Desktop Scams
Remote access software has been used by scammers to gain access to personal information. Several apps such as AnyDesk, TeamViewer, and RemotePC, with legitimate purposes are exploited by scammers impersonating customer service representatives. Fairfield County Bank will never ask you to download a remote access software.

How does it work?
Scammers place calls disguised as a customer service representative and will try to tempt you to download an app, claiming there is an issue and the application is necessary to resolving the problem. They will oftentimes try to create a sense of urgency around an issue in order to pressure someone into installing the application. Once the software is downloaded and access has been granted, the fraudster can search for sensitive information, including online banking details.

Avoiding Remote Desktop Scams

• Never download a remote access software based on over-the-phone instruction
• If a representative asks you to download software to your phone or mobile device, hang up immediately
• Contact the service provider by using the phone number or contact method listed on their official website
• Never disclose passwords to a customer service representative.

 

Check Washing Fraud:
Check washing is a type of check fraud that occurs when a written check has been stolen and washed, oftentimes with common household chemicals, to remove the ink. The scammer can then change the check amount and payee.

Tips to Prevent Check Washing:

• When writing a check, use a black gel pen. Visit any Fairfield County Bank branch office if you need one
• Do not raise the red flag and place valuable mail in your box. The flag acts as an invitation for criminal attention
• Do not use free-standing USPS receptable boxes when mailing checks
• Mail checks by handing it directly to a USPS employee inside the Post Office
• Monitor your accounts frequently via online and mobile banking
• Use Bill Pay to send your payments.
• For business accounts, use Positive Pay
• Activate online alerts for cleared checks and specific check cleared

 

Protect Yourself by Detecting Fraud and Avoiding Scams
Review the actionable items provided in the documents below to stay informed and keep yourself safe from fraud.

• 5 Ways to Better Security
• Resources to stay protected, informed, aware, and alert
• Watch an online presentation on, “Keeping You Secure: How to Detect Fraud & Avoid a Scam”

 

Caller ID Spoofing and Phone Call Scams:

Caller ID Spoofing, sometimes called voice phishing or "vishing" is a phone scam type of phishing attack, where a criminal impersonates an actual personal or organization in order to get victims to reveal personal information.

Fairfield County Bank will never ask for any Personally Identifiable Information, such as your Social Security number, bank account numbers, passwords, or debit card security codes over the phone, through email, or text message.

Avoiding Phone Call Scams:

• Never give out your personal information via phone call, text, or email
• Emails and Phone Numbers can be spoofed or faked, so always make sure to check the sender or Caller ID carefully
• If you do not recognize the caller or the sender, do not respond or hang up immediately

If you are ever suspicious of a phone call, text or email claiming to be from Fairfield County Bank, you can report the incident by calling 203.431.7431.

For more information visit the Federal Communications Commission's page on Caller ID Spoofing here.

 

Online and Mobile Banking Security Update:
Starting in August, you may be presented with a One-Time Passcode when banking online or with your mobile device. A One-Time Passcode (OTP) is a heightened security feature that may be triggered when accessing your accounts. As an extra security measure, an OTP will be sent when using Zelle^®.
The OTP will be sent via SMS (text message) to the mobile number on file. After entering the passcode, you will be able to access your account.

OTP security works best when a mobile number is on file with the Bank, which is why it is important to confirm that we have a valid mobile phone number associated with your account as the primary number.

Verify that your mobile phone number is listed as the primary number through:

1. Fairfield County Bank's online banking platform*
2. Fairfield County Bank’s mobile banking app** 
3. By calling our Customer Care Center at 877.431.7431
4. or by visiting a Fairfield County Bank Branch Office. You can find all locations and hours here.

* Once you've logged in to online banking, visit the "My Profile" section located in the Service Center*. Under the "My Profile" section, select "Change Phone Number" to review the phone numbers on file and update your primary number to your mobile phone number.

**In your Fairfield County Bank mobile app, select "Banking Services" and then "My Profile" from the menu options. Select "Change Phone Number" to review or update your primary number to your mobile phone.

Zelle and the Zelle related marks are wholly owned by Early Warning Services, LLC and are used herein under license.

 

Tips to Keep You Safe and Secure During COVID-19

• Do not click on any links in an email you do not recognize
• Only respond to things that you have initiated
• Hang up on robocalls
• Delete any emails or texts that you do not recognize
• Never download an attachment from an email you were not expecting
• The sender of the email may look familiar but it could be spoofed. Take extra precaution and double check with the sender before opening

 

Scams to look out for during COVID-19

Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) Loan Disclosure Scams
Some third party businesses are using information from the court-ordered data release to market themselves to PPP clients.  These communications may reference Fairfield County Bank’s name and may even imply that we have some kind of relationship when none exsists.  In some instances, these businesses are not disclosing that they are unaffiliated with the Bank.  You should be aware that Fairfield County Bank will communicate directly with you about your PPP loan and the forgiveness process.  If you have any doubt that a communication is fraudulent, please reach out to us to confirm if we were the source.

We encourage our PPP borrowers to consult with us, your attorneys, or your accountants directly about your PPP loan and the forgiveness process.  You should be wary of responding to unsolicited communications or sharing information about your PPP loan with businesses or individuals not affiliated with Fairfield County Bank.

Hospital Scam
Cybercriminals will email you pretending to be someone from a hospital warning you that you have been exposed to COVID-19 by either from a colleague, friend, or family member. This email will contain a pre-filled attachment that you need to bring with you to the hospital. Do not click the attachment or any link in the email as it will contain malware. Delete the email right away.

Relief Check Scam
There will be many different versions of this scam but remember, you do not have to do anything to receive your relief check. For more information on this, please visit the Federal Trade Commission website at: https://www.consumer.ftc.gov/blog/2020/04/want-get-your-coronavirus-relief-check-scammers-do-too

The Federal Trade Commission has a webpage dedicated to COVID-19 Scams and tips to help keep your information secure. Check back to the website often to learn the latest scams and tips.

Coronavirus Scams: What the FTC is doing

 

Tools You Can Use in Online and Mobile Banking

• Create and edit real-time text and email alerts
• Utilize the Debit Card Activation/Deactivation tool
• Make secure payments through bill pay
• View pending transactions
• Monitor your credit score

Use Money Manager 360 to put all your finances in one place. This is a great monitoring tool to use to ensure all your accounts activity is normal.

Learn more about Money Manager 360

 

Please call our Customer Care Center at 877.431.7431 with any questions or concerns you may have. Remember, we are always here to help you!

 

Can you pick out what is different?

When you go to use our website or receive an email from the Bank, be on the lookout for fake web (URL) and email addresses. Never click on a URL with a misspelling!

 

Tips and Tools to Keep You Safe