• Think before you click. Watch out for emails or text messages that ask you to click a suspicious link or provide personal information, including bank account information.
• Verify the sender. Look closely at the sender’s email address or phone number. Sometimes scammers try to spoof legitimate organizations.
• Go directly to the source. First National Bank will never call you to verify your full bank account number. If you receive a call that seems suspicious, hang up and call us directly at (605) 335-5200.

• Avoid sending checks in the mail. Fraudsters use this as an opportunity to alter the check or steal your information to create a counterfeit check.
• Shred for extra security. Ensure you are shredding checks as soon as the funds have been deposited or withdrawn from the associated account, or if they are no longer tied to an active account.
• Monitor your account activity. Regularly reviewing transactions in Personal Online Banking, Business Online Banking, the FNBSF mobile app, or the FNBSF business app helps you quickly notice anything out of the ordinary.

More check fraud resources

• Use strong, unique passwords. Avoid reusing passwords across multiple financial accounts, and consider setting up two-factor authentication for extra security.
• Verify claims of nonpayment. If you receive a call or text stating that your ACH payment was not received, contact the merchant directly instead of taking their word for it.
• Monitor your accounts regularly. Set up account alerts to catch suspicious transactions early. Additionally, track recurring ACH payments, including the amount and the time of month they are withdrawn from your account, so that you can discover anything out of the ordinary.
• Verify new payment requests. For businesses, confirm changes in vendor or payroll instructions through a known, trusted contact.

Learn more about business ACH fraud

• Confirm credentials. Verify that you’re working with a licensed lender by checking official state or federal registries.
• Watch for “too good to be true” offers. Beware of guaranteed approval or unusually low interest rate messaging.
• Know which loans you’ve applied for. A legitimate loan company will not contact you about a loan you never applied for.
• Never pay upfront fees. Legitimate lenders will not ask for payment before you’re approved for a loan.

• Be cautious with romantic relationships or friendships that are exclusively online. Scammers may spend months — even years — building trust online without meeting in person before asking for money or sensitive personal information.
• Never send money or gift cards. Watch out for online users who claim to be facing an emergency (medical, travel, etc.) that requires you to send them money or gift cards.
• Talk to someone you trust. If an online relationship feels suspicious — no matter how long you’ve been communicating with them — discuss it with a friend, family member, or your banker.

• Double-check transfer details. Always confirm account numbers and instructions using a verified phone number.
• Watch out for urgency. Scammers often pressure you to act fast in order to send them money. Slow down, and talk to your banker before transferring or wiring any funds.
• Remember that wires are final. Once a wire transfer is sent, it’s nearly impossible to reverse, which is why it requires extra caution.