ONLINE SECURITY

Your privacy and security are as important to us as they are to you.  We are committed to using advanced technology to ensure that your personal information and confidential transactions remain safe, secure and private.

HOW WE PROTECT YOUR PERSONAL INFORMATION AND PRIVACY

Individual Password
When you sign up for online banking, the information KleinBank asks you for is encrypted during transmission and remains confidential as long as you do not disclose it to other individuals. We strongly recommend that you do not use your Social Security number as a username or password. For enhanced security, we require that you change your password periodically.

Firewall
KleinBank’s computer systems are protected by a powerful firewall that blocks unauthorized entry 24 hours a day. In order to gain access to authorized information, the Web browser you are using must know the proper protocol, or language, and even then only select information is available.

Encryption
All online access and Bill Pay sessions are encrypted. KleinBank employs 128-bit encryption  which turns your information into a coded sequence with billions of possible variations.  KleinBank’s computers possess the proper formulas to turn this code back into meaningful information and complete your transaction.

Look for a “closed lock” icon in the lower right-hand corner (Microsoft Internet Explorer) or lower left-hand corner (Netscape Navigator) of your browser to determine if encryption is being used on any Web page you are viewing. Any Web address beginning with “https://...” indicates the page you are viewing uses encryption. The “s” stands for “secured.”

Ongoing Surveillance
KleinBank monitors all security systems to make sure that your accounts are safe and secure.

Timed Log-Off
KleinBank’s system will automatically log you off from KleiNet Online Banking after 10 minutes of inactivity. This reduces the risk of others accessing your information from your unattended computer. For added security, the date and time of last log in is shown on your screen.

HOW YOU CAN PROTECT YOURSELF FROM ONLINE FRAUD
One of the most common types of online fraud is the practice of criminals sending phoney email messages. This practice is referred to as “PHISHING.”

According to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), the nation’s consumer protection agency, phishers send an email or pop-up message that claims to be from a business or organization that you may deal with — for example, an Internet service provider (ISP), bank, online payment service, or even a government agency. The message may ask you to “update,” “validate,” or “confirm” your account information. Some phishing emails threaten a dire consequence if you don’t respond. The messages direct you to a website that looks just like a legitimate organization’s site. But it isn’t. It’s a bogus site whose sole purpose is to trick you into divulging your personal information so the operators can steal your identity and run up bills or commit crimes in your name.

Examples of Phishing Emails

“We suspect an unauthorized transaction on your account.
To ensure that your account is not compromised,
please click the link below and confirm your identity.”

“During our regular verification of accounts, we couldn’t verify your information.
Please click here to update and verify your information.”

Errors and Typos are often the mark of fraudulent emails or websites. Be on the lookout for: grammatical or typographical errors; inappropriate writing; and poor website design or visual quality.

The Federal Trade Commission suggests these tips to help you avoid getting hooked by a phishing scam:

If you get an email or pop-up message that asks for personal or financial information, do not reply. And don’t click on the link in the message, either. Legitimate companies, such as KleinBank, don’t ask for this information via email. If you are concerned about your account, contact the organization mentioned in the email using a telephone number you know to be genuine, or open a new Internet browser session and type in the company’s correct Web address yourself. In any case, don’t cut and paste the link from the message into your Internet browser — phishers can make links look like they go to one place, but they actually send you to a different site.

Use anti-virus software and a firewall, and keep them up to date. Some phishing emails contain software that can harm your computer or track your activities on the Internet without your knowledge.

Anti-virus software and a firewall can protect you from inadvertently accepting such unwanted files. Anti-virus software scans incoming communications for troublesome files. Look for anti-virus software that recognizes current viruses as well as older ones; that can effectively reverse the damage; and that updates automatically.

A firewall helps make you invisible on the Internet and blocks all communications from unauthorized sources. It’s especially important to run a firewall if you have a broadband connection. Operating systems (like Windows or Linux) or browsers (like Internet Explorer or Netscape) also may offer free software “patches” to close holes in the system that hackers or phishers could exploit.

Don’t email personal or financial information. Email is not a secure method of transmitting personal information. If you initiate a transaction and want to provide your personal or financial information through an organization’s website, look for indicators that the site is secure, like a lock icon on the browser’s status bar or a URL for a website that begins “https:” (the “s” stands for “secure”). Unfortunately, no indicator is foolproof; some phishers have forged security icons.

Avoid offers that are “too-good-to-be-true”. Don't get lured into fraudulent activity by believing emails or web advertisements that offer to pay you money by transferring cash to them.

Review credit card and bank account statements as soon as you receive them to check for unauthorized charges. If your statement is late by more than a couple of days, call your credit card company or bank to confirm your billing address and account balances. Through KleinBank’s Free Online Banking service called KleiNet, you can check your account information anytime 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Be cautious about opening any attachment or downloading any files from emails you receive, regardless of who sent them. These files can contain viruses or other software that can weaken your computer’s security.

Forward spam that is phishing for information to spam@uce.gov and to the company, bank, or organization impersonated in the phishing email.

HOW TO REPORT FRAUD
If you believe you’ve been scammed, file your complaint at ftc.gov, and then visit the FTC’s Identity Theft website at www.consumer.gov/idtheft. Victims of phishing can become victims of identity theft. While you can't entirely control whether you will become a victim of identity theft, you can take some steps to minimize your risk. If an identity thief is opening credit accounts in your name, these new accounts are likely to show up on your credit report. You may catch an incident early if you order a free copy of your credit report periodically at www.annualcreditreport.com.

If you suspect you might be a victim of identity theft, contact the three major credit bureaus listed below to place a fraud alert on your credit file.

Equifax 1.800.525.6285
Experian 1.888.397.3742
Trans Union 1.800.680.7289

Your Accounts at KleinBank
As part of KleinBank’s ongoing commitment to fraud prevention and detection, the Klein Fraud Department established the KleinBank Fraud Hotline. The Fraud Hotline is available to report any known or suspected fraud. Examples of situations to report are:

  • Occurrences or attempts of identity theft.
  • Receipt of fraudulent or forged documentation.
  • Phishing or Spoofing Scams - Internet scammers phish for personal information such as social security number or account number in an attempt to initiate fraudulent account transactions or identity theft. KleinBank does not request customer account information via email or pop-up windows.
  • Nigerian or Advanced Fee Schemes Offers the recipient the opportunity to share in a percentage of illegal funds.

The Fraud Hotline is 952-368-2615 and is available 7 days a week, 24 hours a day. Callers can remain anonymous and all calls are confidential. The Hotline is not answered by a live person. Rather, the caller is instructed to leave a message. When a message is received, the Fraud Department is notified.

If the situation requires immediate attention, please contact KleinBank Fraud Department directly at 952-361-5219.

For more information on identify theft visit  http://www.ftc.gov/bcp/conline/pubs/credit/idtheftmini.htm

For more information on opting out of pre-approved offers of credit visit http://www.ftc.gov/bcp/conline/pubs/credit/prescreen.htm

related resources
Cyber Security Tip - Preventing and Responding to Identy Theft