How To Prevent Fraud And Stop Criminals

Stay alert and question unusual requests. Train those around you to report concerns. Awareness remains your most effective fraud detection tool.

Regular education about current fraud schemes can prevent costly mistakes. Focus on recognizing phishing and impersonation scams, social engineering tactics, and proper verification procedures. 

Back up data regularly and verify backup integrity. Store backups securely offline, disconnected from the systems and networks they protect, to ensure recovery even during a cyberattack. 

Use caution downloading apps. Apps can contain malicious software, worms, and viruses. Avoid apps that request unnecessary permissions to access your personal data or device functions. 

Limit personal information shared on social media. Oversharing makes it easier for criminals to learn your habits, manipulate you into revealing confidential details, and steal your identity. 

Use multi-factor authentication when logging in and for high-value transactions like ACH transfers to add important security layers.

Daily account reviews and comprehensive alert systems help catch unauthorized activity quickly, minimizing potential losses. Real-time notifications for sensitive activities can stop fraud before it succeeds. Set up alerts for login changes, failed attempts, transactions, deposits, and balance changes through Online Private Banking or Business Online Banking. 

When possible, eliminate paper statements and checks that can be stolen in the mail. Promptly retrieve incoming mail and deliver outgoing mail directly to your mail carrier to limit the opportunity for theft.  

Complete thorough due diligence on new businesses and only do business with those you know and trust. If you receive new vendor payment instructions, verify any changes through a phone number you already have on file before processing payments to new accounts. 

Keep all your devices — computers, tablets, and phones — protected with updated security software. Enable automatic updates, use reputable antivirus programs, and monitor for suspicious activity. Consider working with IT professionals to secure devices that access your financial accounts. Respond immediately to suspicious activity. 

Use complex passwords, change them frequently, and store them in a secure password manager. Use remote wipe capability for lost mobile devices to ensure sensitive information is not stolen and wipe mobile devices before donating, selling, or trading them. 

Be aware of people watching you enter passwords, PINs, or personal information. Stay alert to your surroundings when accessing sensitive data in public spaces. 

Consider purchasing cyber liability insurance to help protect against financial losses from data breaches, cyberattacks, and identity theft incidents. 

Immediately stop all online activity if you suspect fraud, isolate the affected systems, and report incidents to First Business Bank and ic3.gov for law enforcement and federal investigation. Always alert others at your organization if you receive a suspicious request as criminals may attempt to contact them.