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Security of your money.

At First United Bank & Trust, we hold the security of your confidential information in the highest regard. We take measures to ensure your non-public data is secure and protected. This means working with you, keeping you up to date on the many different types of scams.

Report suspicious calls to the FTC by filing a consumer complaint form or calling the hotline, 1-877-FTC-HELP.

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Learn how to prevent identity theft

Identity theft is on the rise, and scammers are finding new ways to access your personal information every day.

That’s why it’s important to keep a watchful eye on your finances and be alert, especially around the holidays when a lot of money is probably moving in and out of accounts.

December is also Identity Theft and Protection Awareness Month, and at First United Bank & Trust, we’re committed to keeping our customers in the know about ways you can protect yourself and your assets.

Here are a few ideas to protect against identity theft:

Choose unique PINs; avoid using Social Security numbers or birthdates.
Tear up or shred receipts and bills before throwing them away.
Check websites for an SSL certificate: Look for a lock symbol to the left of the company name and “https” in the URL.
Be wary of pushy calls-to-action or limited-time offers that require your personal information.
Watch out for telemarkers; offers of free trips and discounted magazine subscriptions are common scam tactics.
Don’t give out bank account information or credit card or social security numbers to an unsolicited caller, even if the call is from a familiar company.

Don’t fall for holiday scams

Fraud scams happen both online and in-person. Our Finture resources offer great ways to practice account safety to protect your account this holiday season, here are a few:

1. Beware of websites with poor spelling or wonky designs, and click on the URL to ensure it starts with “https://.”

2. Be wary of any online stores with too-good-to-be-true deals, and be wary of “free” products and services.

3. Avoid remaining on sites that contain consistent pop-ups.

4. Don’t leave your Bluetooth enabled in crowded public areas, such as shopping centers.

5. Avoid mentioning too much about your day-to-day schedule online, especially when it comes to travel plans.

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Can You Spot a Phishing Scam?

Every day, thousands of people fall victim to fraudulent emails, texts and calls from scammers pretending to be their bank. In this time of increased use of digital banking, the problem is only growing worse.

In fact, the Federal Trade Commission’s report on fraud estimates that American consumers lost a staggering $10 billion to phishing scams and other fraud in 2023 — an increase of 13.6% over 2022!

Scams aren’t so scary when you know what to look for. At First United Bank & Trust, we’re committed to helping you spot them as an extra layer of protection for your account. We want every bank customer to become a pro at spotting a phishing scam — and stop bank impostors in their tracks.

Arrow pointing down to additional content.

It starts with these four words: Banks Never Ask That

When you know what sounds suspicious, you’ll be less likely to be fooled. Visit www.BanksNeverAskThat.com for tips on keeping phishing criminals at bay through videos, an interactive quiz, and more!

Helpful Steps to Protect Your Account

Following these steps can further protect your account and ensure safety on your digital banking journey.
Be sure to slow down, ask yourself questions and…

think twice before clicking links, downloading attachments or replying to texts regarding your account information.
never give out personal information in response to an unsolicited call or email.
use strong passwords.
set up Mobile or Internet Banking account alerts.
use firewall software to protect your computer.
update your operating system – check the Windows Update center on your PC to see available updates.
run the latest browser technology. Click on your preferred browser to find the latest version: Edge | Firefox | Chrome
exercise caution when posting information on social media.

Banks don’t do that!

First United Bank & Trust will NEVER…

request your personal information (e.g., account number, Social Security number or mother’s maiden name) through email, U.S. mail, text or phone unless you initiate the contact or we are completing an application for you.
request your online banking passcode – this should be kept safe and secure by you and not written or shared with anyone.
send an email or text requesting that you click on a hyperlink to enter your login credentials or personal information.

Reporting issues

If you have received an unusual email, phone call or text from First United Bank & Trust, such as a request for personal login or password information – question it! Then take immediate action in one of these ways:

contact our Customer Service Center at 1-888-692-2654
forward suspicious emails to: abuse@mybank.com

Security Resources

Be sure to access our collection of fraud and security topics in our Finture Financial Education Center, powered by Banzai, along with these helpful articles:

Finture Fraud and Security Insights
50 Internet Safety Tips for 2024
ABA Cybersecurity Resources
CISA Cyber Services & Tools
Computer Security article FROM THE FTC
Report identity theft by visiting the Federal Trade Commission at IdentityTheft.gov
Protecting yourself from ID Theft from the MD Attorney General
Identity Theft resources from the FDIC
Recovering from identity theft? Use this interactive guide from the FTC to help you during the process.
Small Business Guide

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