Safeguarding Your Information

At Town & Country Bank, the security of customer information is a priority. We are strongly committed to the safety and confidentiality of your records. Everyday, unscrupulous individuals are busy developing new scams targeting the unsuspecting public. One of the best ways to avoid fraud is to become an educated consumer.

• Watch out for copycat websites that deliberately use a name or web address very similar to, but not the same as the real one. The intent is to lure you into clicking through to their website and giving out your personal information, such as a bank account number, credit card number or Online Banking login information.
  
• Always use your pre-established links to access websites and avoid clicking on links in unsolicited e-mails. If you ever receive a suspicious e-mail representing itself as Town & Country Bank, please forward the message in its entirety to customerservice@tcbank.bank. 
  
• Ensure that your own personal computer has updated anti-virus and firewall protections. Apply security patches for all of your programs and operating systems regularly.
  
• Passwords should be unique to you and changed regularly. Do not use birthdays or other numbers or words that may be easy for others to guess. Never write down your password or give it to another person.
  
• Monitor your account activity frequently using our free Online Banking or Mobile Banking service.
  
• Sign up for free e-Statements to avoid having your paper statement sitting in an unsecure mailbox where it could be compromised.
  
• Set up free Security and Balance Alerts through Online Banking to be notified via phone, e-mail and/or SMS text message when there is login activity, changes in your balance, or when new payees are added under our electronic bill pay service.
  
• For business account cash management users, we recommend you conduct a periodic assessment of your internal controls, use a layered security for system administrators, initiate enhanced controls for high-dollar transactions, and provide increased levels of security as transaction risk increases.
  
• When using an ATM (Automated Teller Machine), look for skimming devices and use protective measures such as covering the keyboard with one hand when entering the PIN with the other.

Please keep in mind that we will never ask for or email you requesting your online banking password. We may on occasion call to verify other information regarding your online activity should we see something of concern in your login patterns. If you plan to travel and use your debit card, it is very helpful to call us in advance to avoid your account being temporarily disabled for security purposes.

In case of errors or questions about your electronic transfers, call or write us at the telephone number or address listed, as soon as you can, if you think your statement or receipt is wrong or if you need more information about a transfer listed on the statement or receipt. We must hear from you no later than 60 days after we sent the FIRST statement on which the problem or error appeared.

For personal accounts, limitations on your liability for unauthorized electronic funds transfers and other electronic errors that are covered by Regulation E are explained in the Deposit Account Agreement & Disclosure, the Regulation E Disclosure, and the Substitute Check Policy Disclosure. However, if you use online services for any business activity, you assume all risk of loss for unauthorized transfers and payments, and you must establish your own internal security procedures for employees you authorize to prevent all unauthorized use by other employees or persons. 

We encourage you to review the Privacy, Identity, & Online Security tab located in the Federal Trade Commission website http://www.consumer.ftc.gov/. You will find practical tips from the federal government and the technology industry to help you be on guard against Internet fraud, secure your computer, and protect your personal information.

If at any time you have questions regarding security or possible fraud, please contact our customer service representatives at 308-452-3225 or 800-481-3225 or via e-mail at customerservice@tcbank.bank.

Revised June 2024

Children's Online Privacy and Protection

Town & Country Bank does not collect personally identifying information from children under the age of 13 for the purpose of advertising.  Parents have the right to review any information that is collected and maintained regarding their children.  We have established safeguards to ensure that any marketing or promotional communication sent via email does not go to persons under the age of 13. 

Revised December 2020

Protecting Your Mobile Device

Your mobile device provides convenient access to your email, bank and social media accounts. Unfortunately, it can potentially provide the same convenient access for criminals. Town & Country Bank recommends following these tips to keep your information – and your money – safe.

• Use the passcode lock on your smartphone and other devices. Depending on what security options are available on your device, choose a “strong” password (consisting of unusual combinations of upper- and lower-case letters, numbers and symbols) or PIN (with random numbers instead of, say, 1234 or the last four digits of your Social Security number) and periodically change it. Never leave your device unattended. Be sure you enable the“time-out” or “auto-lock” feature that secures your mobile device when it is left unused for a certain period of time. This will make it more difficult for thieves to access your information if your device is lost or stolen. 
  
• Log out completely when you finish a mobile banking session.
  
• Protect your phone from viruses and malicious software, or malware, just like you do for your computer by installing mobile security software.
  
• Research any application (“app”) before downloading it. Apps can contain malicious software, worms,and viruses. Beware of apps that ask for unnecessary “permissions.” Just because the name of an app resembles the name of your bank--or another company you are familiar with--don’t assume that it is the official one of that bank or company. It could be a fraudulent app designed to trick users into believing that the service is legitimate. Also, be sure to protect your financial apps, ideally with a password that is different from the password for your device.
  
• Download the updates for your phone and mobile apps. 
  
• Avoid storing sensitive information like passwords or a social security number on your mobile device.
  
• Take additional precautions in case your device is lost or stolen. Check with your wireless provider in advance to find out about features that enable you to remotely erase content or turnoff access to your device or account if you lose your phone. Quickly contact your financial services providers to let them know about the loss or theft of your device. Notifying your bank quickly will help prevent or resolve problems with unauthorized transactions. Tell your bank immediately if you change your phone number.
  
• Be aware of shoulder surfers. The most basic form of information theft is observation.Be aware of your surroundings especially when you’re punching in sensitive information. Don’t use an unsecured Wi-Fi network, such as those found at coffee shops, because fraud artists might be able to access the information you are transmitting or viewing. 
  
• Wipe your mobile device before you donate, sell or trade it using specialized software or using the manufacturer’s recommended technique. Some software allows you to wipe your device remotely if it is lost or stolen.
  
• Report any suspected fraud to Town & Country Bank immediately.