ONLINE SECURITY

Bank Online with Confidence & Security

Our Online Banking System brings together a combination of industry-approved security technologies to protect data for the bank and for you. First Federal Bank’s Online Banking features a password-controlled system entry, a VeriSign-issued Digital ID for the bank’s server, Secure Sockets Layer (SSL) protocol for data encryption, and a router loaded with a firewall to regulate the inflow and outflow of server traffic. SecureSockets Layer (SSL) technology is used to encrypt your log-in credentials and account information over the Internet. As a safeguard, you may only access your account if you have registered for Online Banking.

Protect Yourself & Your Finances

Fraud & Scam Information Center

You should be able to bank with confidence. See the latest scams and learn tips to help keep you safe from fraud.

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Fraud Tips & Advice

When banking online, it is important to protect yourself. The internet offers the potential for safe, convenient new ways to conduct your banking business anytime, anywhere. Safe banking online involves making good choices that will help you avoid costly surprises or scams. Here are a few tips to protect your personal information.

  • Create a password that is easy for you to remember, but that would be hard for someone to guess. Our system will allow you to create a password with up to 16 characters and must include a minimum of two numbers.
  • Never share your access ID or password information with anyone. First Federal Bank will never call or email you requesting personal information including your Online Banking password. There is no reason for anyone else to know your password.
  • Change your passwords often. We recommend that you change your password every 60 to 90 days.
  • Install reputable antivirus software on the computer that is used to access your financial information.
  • Only access your online banking from a trustworthy computer. Shared computers located in airports, cafes, libraries and hotels may be exposed to malicious software or viruses that may log your key strokes or steal your password.
  • Register to receive Online Banking alerts. These alerts can help you determine if fraud has occurred on your account.
  • Sign up to receive your statements online. Stopping your paper statements will reduce the likelihood of mail fraud.
  • Monitor your bank accounts and check for suspicious activity for debits, credits and new bill payees that you do not recognize.
  • Don’t open emails, attachments or links from an unknown source.
  • Take advantage of any security settings on your mobile device.
  • Do not store personal or account information on your mobile device.

If you are worried that you may be a victim of fraud, it is important that you let us know immediately.

Contact us if you suspect your Online Banking access ID or password, credit card or debit card, or personal information such as your Social Security Number or account number have been compromised.

Report by Phone:

  • (800) 860-1238
  • (337) 421-1200

Calling us is your first line of defense for protecting yourself. In addition to any other fraud, you can also call us if there has been an electronic funds transfer from your account made without your permission.

Report by Email:

Email firstfederal@ffbla.bank and include your name and phone number so that we may contact you.

You may also chat online with a live representative during regular business hours using the Secure Online Chat located within Online Banking.

Report by Mail:

You may write to us at First Federal Bank of Louisiana, PO Drawer 1667, Lake Charles LA 70602-1667.

Include your name and account number and explain why you believe your information has been compromised.

 

Notify Local Police

Notify Credit Bureaus
It is important that you notify your local police department to file a report. Request a copy of the report or report number for your records. You may also have to include this with any affidavits. If you believe you have been a victim of identity theft, it is highly recommended that you contact the three national consumer reporting agencies (below). Each agency can place a fraud alert on your credit report.

 

Equifax

Experian

Transunion
(800) 525-6285 (888) 397-3742 (800) 680-7289

 

Learn About ID Theft for Business              Learn About Preventing ID Theft

Types of Fraud

Fraud comes in all shapes and sizes, but you can still protect yourself and your finances by keeping vigilant, staying aware of the latest scams, and educating yourself on how to identify frausters.

Phishing

Phishing is a method developed by scammers and hackers to get innocent victims to reveal their personal information. Phishing is a leading factor in the rise of identity theft. The most common method of phishing involves skillfully designed emails which claim to be from a reputable company with whom the recipient may or may not have a relationship.

The email may request the recipient to confirm personal information such as your access IDs, passwords, account numbers, etc. The email may instruct you to update or confirm your personal information by responding to the email or by directing you to a fake website that looks like a legitimate website.

Be cautious if you receive an email that appears to have been sent by First Federal Bank.

Vishing

A variation of phishing is vishing, in which you receive an email supposedly from a reputable source with an urgent request for you to call a phone number. You are then asked to provide sensitive information either by voice or entering on the keypad. Do not call the number. Instead, contact First Federal Bank immediately at (337) 421-1200.

First Federal Bank will never:

  • Send emails requesting personal information including Online Banking passwords
  • Send emails requesting to verify account activity
  • Send emails claiming to restrict your account or card if personal information is not provided

If you believe you have received a suspicious email from an individual posing as First Federal Bank, please forward it to firstfederal@ffbla.bank so we may verify if it is valid.

Smishing

The most common method of smishing involves skillfully designed text messages that claim to be from a reputable source with which the recipient may or may not have a relationship. The text message may request the recipient to confirm personal information such as your access IDs, passwords, account numbers, etc. The text message may instruct you to update or confirm your personal information by responding to the message or by directing you to a fake website that looks like a legitimate website. Be cautious if you receive a text message that appears to have been sent by First Federal Bank. Make sure you are familiar with the mobile communications of the sources that you allow to send you messages.

Spyware & Malware

Spyware and Malware are programs that can be loaded onto your computer without your knowledge. Spyware disguises itself as a legitimate application and embeds itself into your computer to monitor your activity and collect information. Malware contains viruses, Trojan horses or other types of malicious code designed to steal personal information. Spyware and Malware are both serious threats to the security of your computer and can be spread through email, website, test messages and more.

  • Do not open emails, attachments or links from a source that you do not know or trust.
  • Keep your antivirus software updated. Ensure that your antivirus software also includes anti-malware software.
  • Be aware of unexpected pop-up boxes requesting personal information. Your computer may be infected with malware by a hacker that is trying to obtain your personal information.

Please be aware that legitimate calls from First Federal Bank Fraud Prevention group are made on a normal basis. The agents will only ask for confirmation of certain transactions on your debit card and sensitive personal information is not requested. The card alert retrieval number is (877) 253-8964.

Secure Access and Verifying User Authenticity

To begin an Online Banking session, the user must key in an Access ID and a password. Our Online Banking System uses a “3 strikes and you’re out” lockout mechanism to deter users from repeated log-in attempts. After three unsuccessful log-in attempts, the system locks the user out, requiring a phone call to the bank to verify the password before re-entry into the system. Upon successful log-in, the Digital ID from VeriSign, the experts in digital identification certificates, authenticates the user’s identity and establishes a secure session with that visitor. As an added layer of protection, we have implemented a Multi Factor Authentication system that requires you to provide an answer to a challenge question that only you know.

Secure Data Transfer

Once the online session is established, the user and the server are in a secured environment. Because VeriSign has certified the server as a 128-bit secure server, data traveling between the user and the server is encrypted with Secure Sockets Layer (SSL) protocol. With SSL, data that travels between the bank and customer is encrypted and can only be seen by you. When the session is complete, the whole process starts over again when the user begins a new session.

Router and Firewall

Requests must filter through a router and firewall before they are permitted to reach the server. A router, a piece of hardware, works in conjunction with the firewall, a piece of software, to block and direct traffic coming to the server. The configuration begins by disallowing ALL traffic and then opens holes only when necessary to process acceptable data requests, such as retrieving web pages or sending customer requests to the bank.

Secure Forms

Information you provide to First Federal Bank through the use of a secure form is encrypted. You can verify that your web session is secure by checking for a small lock symbol that may appear in the top address bar or lower corner of the browser window. You may also look for the letters “https://” in the website URL. If the URL contains an “s” this means that your website connection is secure.

Contacting First Federal Bank

Emails sent through the First Federal Bank website are not secure. We ask that you do not send personal information such as your account numbers or social security numbers through email. If you wish to speak to someone about your account, you may use the Secure Online Chat option within your Online Banking session to speak with a live representative or by contacting a representative at any one of our branch locations during normal business hours.

Third Party Websites

This site may contain links to third party websites. These websites have no official relationship with First Federal Bank. We provide this information as a convenience to First Federal Bank visitors. First Federal Bank does not endorse or guarantee the quality or services provided by these establishments. By selecting these links, you will be leaving First Federal Bank’s website. First Federal Bank does not guarantee the accuracy or content of these pages.

Privacy of Children

We respect the privacy of your children and do not knowingly collect or retain nonpublic personal information from clients under the age of thirteen unless that information is provided to us by an adult authorized to do so. The content of our website is not directed to children.

Resources

Our Education Center page includes links to third party websites that provide information about Identity Theft, Common Online Scams, Phishing attacks and your FREE Annual Credit Report. We suggest that all Business Online users perform a risk assessment and controls evaluation periodically.

Privacy Notice

VIEW OUR PRIVACY POLICY

Phishing & Online Security FAQs

Every situation is different. First Federal Bank will work with you to make the best decisions based on the nature of the compromise and what information you have shared.

Always open a browser window and type in the full address to the site instead of relying on a link provided in an email message. When you attempt to log in to your account, you will be able to recognize an image that you selected, along with your unique authentication passphrase. If you do not receive your image or the image is not the one you chose, do not proceed.

Do not reply to, click on, or enter any information into the email. If it says it is from First Federal Bank and you are suspicious, you may forward it to firstfederal@ffbla.bank for review. If you have entered personal information or information about your First Federal Bank account, call us immediately.

No. You should not enter your information in an email if you did not initiate the contact.

Most contain a recognizable name, logo and web design of a financial institution. Most are very similar in that they are short, demanding, and contain grammatical errors.

Phishers send out scams to victimize the general public. First Federal Bank is not the only financial institution that is experiencing these phishing attacks. First Federal Bank and our customers are not being targeted. These scams are being directed to members of the general public with the scammers knowing that a small percentage of recipients will be members or customers of the financial institution that is being phished.

Identity Theft happens when a criminal obtains your personal information to steal money from your accounts, apply for credit cards or loans and other crimes with your identity. Identity Theft can damage your credit and leave you with unwanted bills and frustration to clear your name.

It is best to monitor your accounts each month and check your credit report on a regular basis. If you check your credit report regularly, you may be able to limit any damage caused by Identity Theft.

Our Privacy Notice explains some of what First Federal Bank does to keep your information secure.

Yes. First Federal Bank is committed to providing you a safe and convenient way to manage your money. Using Online Banking often is one of the best tools to monitor your accounts at any time. To ensure the security of your account information, Online Banking uses 128-bit SSL encryption. To help protect your privacy, we will sign you out of the Online Banking system after 15 minutes of inactivity.

SSL stands for Secure Socket Layer. This allows Online Banking users to establish a secure session, meaning they have minimal risk of external violation. Once inside the Online Banking site, you are secure through our use of SSL technology.