Security

• Communication Security – The protection of your information is our highest priority. We utilize the latest standards provided by the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) for encryption and safeguarding our communication to ensure all sensitive information transmitted between you and Freedom First is sent securely. We provide secure communication channels via our website and other platforms that require you to properly authenticate via username and password in addition to multi-factor authentication.

• Firewalls and Secure Applications - Information that flows through Freedom First passes through a series of state-of-the-art firewalls, intrusion prevention systems, and other security applications to ensure data is protected.

• Encryption - Your data is encrypted at rest using the latest standards provided by NIST to ensure that even when it is not being accessed it is protected to prevent unauthorized access to your information.

• Email – While Freedom First will occasionally send out communications that are informational to you, we will never ask for your username, password, or personally identifiable number (PIN). Please remember that inherently email is not secure, and you should never send any personal identifiable information (PII) through email unless encryption is in place.

• Mobile devices and Computers – You should never use public computers or devices to conduct personal transactions. Mobile devices and computers should be updated regularly to avoid running outdated software such as web browsers, anti-virus and operating systems.

• Passwords – You should create complex passwords (upper and lower case letters, numbers, and special characters such as (!#$). You should not tell anyone your password and refrain from writing down your username and password. The password should be changed routinely to ensure your account is as secure as possible.

• Privacy Protection – Be aware that fraudulent activity and scammers are increasing at an alarming rate. Keep yourself up-to-date on the latest scams and tricks to avoid falling victim to them.

• • Phishing – A person or business claiming to be legitimate in attempts to obtain your personal information, such as Social Security Number (SSN), banking information, or passwords in attempt to scam you and achieve financial gain.

• • ATM Skimmers – Devices installed over legitimate card readers designed to read your debit/credit card information in attempts to achieve financial gain.

Check Your Credit Report

Are you an identity theft victim? If you believe you are a victim of identity theft, take the following actions immediately:

ATM/Debit Card Security

• Treat your card like cash and protect it at all times.
  
• Do not lend or give your card to anyone.
  
• Take your card with you after making a purchase or withdrawal.
  
• Take your receipt with you and verify it against your monthly account statement.
• Use the Manage Cards feature in our mobile banking app to protect your Freedom First debit card - set spending limits and alerts, turn your card on/off, report it lost or stolen with just a tap, and so much more.
  
• Report a lost or stolen card immediately, 24/7:
  • Using the Manage Cards feature in mobile banking
  • Debit Card: (800) 472-3272
  • Credit Card: (855) 609-3628

Personal Identification Number (PIN) Security

• Do not share your PIN with anyone.
  
• Do not write your PIN on the card or the card sleeve.
  
• Do not store the PIN with your card, in your wallet, or in your purse.
  
• Do not allow anyone else to enter your code for you.
  
• Stand between the ATM/terminal and anyone waiting to use the machine so that others cannot see your PIN or transaction amount.

ATM Security

• Park close to the ATM and observe the entire ATM area before leaving the safety of your car.
  
• Do not allow a stranger to help you make a transaction.
  
• Observe the entire ATM area before rolling down the window of your car to use the drive-up ATM.
  
• Minimize the time spent at the ATM by counting the money after you have left the ATM.
  
• Cancel your transaction and leave immediately if you see anyone or anything suspicious.

Computer and Internet Security

• Secure your devices by keeping your security software, internet browser, and operating system up to date.
• Secure your accounts by creating and using strong passwords and using multi-factor authentication.
• Choose security questions only you know the answer to. When you can, avoid questions like your zip code, mother’s maiden name, and birth place, and avoid using questions with a limited number of responses that attackers can easily guess — like the color of your first car.
• Back up your data to protect it by saving it in a cloud storage service or on an external storage device, like a USB flash drive.
• If you decide to use a peer-to-peer program to access free music and videos, use your security software to scan any files before you open them, and before you play any downloaded files.
• Protect your home network and the connected devices, including smart TVs, security cameras, and voice assistants.
• Use caution when browsing the internet on a public and/or unsecured wi-fi network, and consider investing in a VPN (Virtual Private Network) service to encrypt your browsing.
• Use caution when clicking on links in emails - it may be a phishing attempt! Similarly, use extreme caution when downloading anything - especially software - from the internet. Good, up-to-date anti-virus software should scan files for malware before you can download them.
• Look for a lock symbol or https in the address bar to the left of the website address when browsing the internet. Sites that start with http and do not have a lock symbol are not encrypted and should be used with caution.