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Security Information

Confidentiality is important to us. We pride ourselves on taking every measure to protect your information and ensure your security.

Here at our Security Center, you can read about the latest fraud alerts, learn more about how to prevent identity theft, and understand what to do if your personal information is compromised. We're committed to your protection.

Alerts

No alerts at this time.

Report Lost or Stolen Credit Cards

24 hours a day call 800-821-5184

Report Lost or Stolen Debit / ATM Cards

24 hours a day call 800-776-2265 or email 

5Star Bank Security Support 

Your security and privacy are extremely important to us, and we work hard to protect you, from the moment you apply for an account. Our security programs utilize industry-leading technology to ensure your information and our banking systems are protected and secure.

Identity theft victim assistance

If your security is ever compromised, we'll help provide guidance on how best to handle your accounts. We also offer advice and tips on how to prevent identity theft on our website.

Account protection

We cover your losses for any unauthorized activity on any of your 5Star Bank personal accounts that you bring to our attention. Just call us at 800-776-2265.

Hassle-free electronic bill pay and money transfers

Electronic bill pay is faster and more reliable than mailing a check. If a bill payment arrives late and it's our error, we'll cover any late fees you incur. We cannot, however, cover any fees if the delay was outside of our control. We guarantee we'll send or transfer money to where you told us to, or we'll give you your money back.

5Star Bank Visa® Debit Card Zero Liability

If your 5Star Bank debit card is lost or stolen, please alert us immediately and we'll freeze your card to avoid any fraudulent transactions. 

You'll also enjoy:

  • Worry-free shopping. Use your Visa card to make purchases at millions of locations. You'll always be protected from unauthorized use.
  • Zero Liability. You won't be stuck with fraudulent charges. If you notice any suspicious purchases on your account, tell us immediately by calling 800-776-2265.
  • Swift Resolution. If your account is compromised, we will work quickly to set things right. We will extend provisional credit for losses from unauthorized card use within 10 business days of notification of the loss.
  • Free Card Replacement. We'll replace your stolen card with a new card number.

Help us help you

Never give out your account number or debit card PIN to anyone. Monitor your statements and let us know immediately of any suspected fraudulent activity on your account.

Best Practices for Mobile Banking

As the use of mobile devices increases for banking, 5Star Bank wants you to know that we take security very seriously. As our client, there are several things that you can do to significantly reduce the risk of fraud and identity theft while using our Mobile Banking services. Read more here.

Safety Tips for using an ATM

ATMs are a quick and easy way to withdraw cash, check account balances, transfer funds, and more. You'll find convenient 5Star Bank ATMs just around the corner, and thousands of partner ATMs all over the world. Wherever you use your 5Star Bank ATM card, you can protect yourself and your money by remembering these important safety tips:

Before the Transaction

  • Never approach an ATM if you have any doubts or concerns regarding the ATM environment. If you notice anything or anyone suspicious near the ATM, pass it by and use another ATM or come back at another time.
  • Do not approach an ATM after dark if the lights at the ATM site do not appear to be bright enough or if the ATM is obstructed from view.
  • Report the problem to the bank or provider that operates the ATM as soon as possible. When possible, take a companion along when using an ATM, especially after dark.
  • When approaching a walk-up ATM, park your car close to the machine. Do not leave your car running or key in the ignition.
  • When using a drive-up ATM, keep the car running and the door locked. Before lowering your car window, observe the surrounding area. If anyone or anything looks suspicious, drive away immediately.
  • To minimize time at the ATM, try to fill out all forms (deposit slips, etc.) beforehand. Have your card out and ready for use. 

During the Transaction

  • If you see anyone or anything suspicious while conducting a transaction, cancel your transaction and leave immediately.
  • Stand between the ATM and anyone waiting to use the terminal so that others cannot see your PIN (Personal Identification Number) or transaction amount.

After the Transaction

  • Once you have completed your transaction, take your money, card and receipt and immediately move away from the terminal. Never leave the ATM with your wallet and/or cash exposed.
  • Do not leave your ATM receipt or discard it carelessly. Retain the receipt with your account records.
  • If anyone follows you after making your transaction, go immediately to a crowded, well-lit area and call the police.

Safekeeping Your Card and Code

  • Treat your ATM card like cash. Keep it in a safe place. Don't leave it lying around.
  • Keep your "secret code" a secret. Your ATM card will only work with your PIN. Memorize your PIN. Never write your PIN on your card. Never let someone else enter your PIN for you.
  • Do not reveal your PIN over the telephone, even if the caller claims to be with the bank or a law enforcement official.
  • Do not lend your card or give your PIN to others.
  • To keep your account information confidential, always be sure to take your receipts and transaction records with you.
  • Check your account balances online and verify each ATM transaction. If there seems to be a discrepancy, please notify us at once.
  • If your card is lost, stolen, or if you think an unauthorized person(s) is using your PIN, please call us immediately at 800-776-2265.

About Phishing

At 5Star Bank, we take every precaution to protect your personal and account information. You can keep your information safe by staying alert and staying informed.

Beware of Phishing

Phishing is any email or pop-up advertisement that claims to be from a legitimate business or organization that you deal with. Scam artists recreate pages using information from legitimate web sites in hopes of fooling consumers into providing their personal information. 

The email or pop-up will ask you to "update" or "validate" your account information, passwords, logins, and will make some form of urgent appeal so that you will respond quickly. The email or pop-up may direct you to a fraud web site that may appear to be from a trusted source. 

Some consumers mistakenly submit financial and personal information and the "phishers" will use it to gain access to financial records or accounts, commit identity theft or engage in illegal acts.

  • IMPORTANT: 5Star Bank will NEVER request any personal information (such as account numbers, passwords, PINS, Social Security Numbers, etc.) through an unsecure email.
  • 5Star Bank does not use pop-up advertisements.

Recognizing Phishing

It may not always be easy to recognize fraud emails or pop-ups but there are some precautions:

  • Watch out for emails or pop-ups that state an urgent reply is needed or your account may be closed.
  • Watch out for emails or pop-ups that provide a general greeting and do not identify you by name.
  • Typos and Errors. Fraudulent emails or pop-ups may have typographical or grammatical errors. Watch out for poor visual and design quality. 

How to Protect Yourself

DO NOT click on links you receive from a third-party site asking for personal information or account numbers. To access the legitimate web site, you should type the URL address into your web browser or use a "bookmark.”

DO NOT send confidential information such as account numbers, passwords, or PINs by email.

DO NOT share your IDs or passwords with anyone.

CALL the financial institution or business directly to confirm requests for updating or verifying personal or account information. 

LOOK for a secure connection on web sites asking for personal or account information. Normally, the URL will begin with https:// in the browser address bar. Also, a "padlock" icon will appear at the bottom of your browser window. 

VERIFY Web Site Security Certificates within your Web browser.

UPDATE the security features of your computer software, including your Web browser. Software companies provide security updates to their products. To learn more about computer security, visit Microsoft.com.

ALWAYS log off of secure areas of web sites (for example: Online Banking) for which you use an ID and Password to enter.

If You Have Been Phished

If you suspect phishing, identity theft or fraud involving any of your 5Star Bank accounts, you should:

1. Contact 5Star Bank Customer Support immediately at 800-776-2265

2. Contact the following three credit bureaus to have a fraud alert placed on your credit report. File a complaint with the FTC. 

www.Equifax.com Fraud Line: 800.525.6285

www.Experian.com Fraud Line: 800.397.3742

www.Transunion.com Fraud Line: 800.680.7289

Federal Trade Commission (www.FTC.gov): Fraud Line: 1-877-IDTHEFT

Privacy Notice

Understand why 5Star Bank requires certain personal information, what we do with it, and how we protect your privacy. View our Privacy Notice.

Password Tips

A strong password is a vital first line of defense against unauthorized access to your computer. Hackers and malicious software will be denied by strong passwords. 

5Star Bank recommends creating passwords that denies unauthorized computer access:

  • Use at least eight characters with a combination of uppercase and lowercase letters, numbers and symbols
  • Don't include your user name, real name or company name
  • Don't make your password a complete word
  • Create passwords that are significantly different from each other

Learn more about Personal and Business Privacy & Security Tips. 

Privacy & Security Tips - Personal

Your User ID and Password are the keys to your online account information. 5Star Bank highly recommends the following guidance to help keep your information secure:

  1. Keep your User ID and Password private: (Do not be tempted to share your User IDs and Passwords with anyone)
  2. Be unique: Create a unique password comprised of upper, lower and numerical characters. Change your online banking password every 60-90 days.
  3. Be different: Avoid using the same User ID and Password for different online services.
  4. Memorize: Do not write them down or store on your computer. If you really need to record a password then use a code system (i.e. transpose letters/numbers) and keep in a secure location.
  5. Log Out: Log out of Online Banking prior to visiting other websites or leaving your computer.
  6. Alert Us: If you notice suspicious or unusual activity in your online banking accounts, please call 800-776-2265. 

Privacy & Security Tips for Businesses

As your business bank of choice, 5Star Bank is serious about safeguarding your information. We work hard to be certain that our systems are safe, secure and available. As a business owner, you have control over how you manage your account(s), your employees and your transactions with us. Fraud prevention is ultimately easier and less costly when we work as partners in helping your business to be secure and successful.

Security and Fraud Prevention – A common way for businesses to become victims of fraud is when someone who is NOT authorized to perform transactions on behalf of the business obtains credentials that allow the fraudster to log in and complete illegitimate transactions. This is known as “Corporate Account Takeover”. It could happen internally (for instance, an employee who illegally creates fraudulent transactions) or externally (a hacker who may plant malware onto your computer and then uses it for fraud). While these are only two examples of security breaches, there are many ways to reduce or eliminate the risk of loss. For example, the most basic safeguards are:

  • Keep your User ID and Password private: Do not be tempted to share your User IDs and Passwords with anyone
  • Be unique: Create a unique password comprised of upper, lower and numerical characters. Change your online banking password every 60-90 days.
  • Be different: Avoid using the same User ID and Password for different online services.
  • Memorize: Do not write them down or store on your computer. If you really need to record a password then use a code system (i.e. transpose letters/numbers) and keep in a secure location.
  • Log Out: Log out of Online Banking prior to visiting other websites or leaving your computer.
  • Alert Us: If you notice suspicious or unusual activity in your online banking accounts, please call 800-776-2265.

Additionally, there are a multitude of best practices that may be adopted. Each of these enhances the security of your business interactions with us and your customers. For the most part, they fall into two categories; User and Device. Listed below are some considerations that may be useful to you as a business owner: 

User Considerations:

  • Training - Nothing beats training employees to follow safe practices such as those found here. New employee training and follow up training for all employees are keys to success.
  • Dual Control - Require cash and payment transactions to be handled by two separate people wherever possible.
  • Separation of Duties - Employees who make payments should not also reconcile accounts.
  • User Limits - Assign limits to cash and payment transactions.
  • Audit - Regularly check activity and compare to policies or practices.
  • Reconcilement - Reconcile accounts as soon as possible.
  • Review - Statements, cancelled checks, deposit and payment history.
  • Access - Remove or disable online access for terminated employees.
  • Policies - Create or amend sound internal policies regarding the safeguarding of information and be certain that policies are communicated and are being followed.
  • Secure - Secure sensitive information and share only on a “need to know” basis.
  • Restrict - By policy and practice, restrict users from:
    • Sharing ID’s or passwords
    • Clicking on links unknown to them
    • Opening email from unknown sources
    • Installing or removing software unless they are authorized to do so 

Device Considerations:

  • Updates - Keep your device (PC, laptop, tablet, phone, etc.), up to date with system security patches, anti-virus software, etc. Set your security software to scan daily.
  • Firewalls - Maintain an up-to-date firewall and engage expertise in monitoring activity.
  • Wireless - If using a wireless corporate network, consider “hiding” it from public view and turn on all appropriate security features. Change the default administrative password immediately upon installation.
  • Data Integrity - Disable other device access such as USB drives if not needed. Perform reliable backups and test restores regularly.
  • Passwords - Set parameters requiring strong passwords and frequent changes.
  • Administrative Access - Only key users should be given administrative access to system connected devices and such access should only be used when necessary.
  • Procedures - Develop, maintain and train on procedures to be followed when a suspected virus infection or breach occurs.
  • Review - Regularly review appropriate logs for suspicious activity.
  • Alerts - To the extent possible, set application alerts to inform you of certain activities. For example, you may wish to be alerted when funds are transferred from an account or when a payment exceeds an established limit.
  • Segregation - For sophisticated businesses, consider a segregated device to be used solely for transacting business and do not allow web browsing, email, etc. on this machine. 

Finally, sound business practices include physical security and vendor management considerations. Best practices for physical security include functioning locks, monitoring and alarm systems, safe data storage (including your backups) and sensitive document shredding. Vendor management practices entail the use of clear contractual language holding vendors to the highest privacy standards, background checks and where appropriate, on-site reviews of vendor facilities. 

We take your security as seriously as we do our own. Please do not hesitate to contact us with questions. We’re committed to your protection.

Don't Forget...

Keep your User ID and Password private: Do not be tempted to share your IDs and Passwords with anyone.

Be unique and change your password: Create a unique password comprised of upper, lower and numerical characters. Change your online banking password every 60-90 days.

Be different: Avoid using the same User ID and Password for different online services.

Memorize: Do not write them down or store on your computer. If you really need to record a password then use a code system (i.e. transpose letters/numbers) and keep in a secure location.

Log Out: Log out of Online Banking prior to visiting other websites or leaving your computer.

Alert Us: If you notice suspicious or unusual activity in your online banking accounts, please call 800-776-2265.

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