Financial Wellness & Education Blog

At Planters First Bank, we're dedicated to helping people understand money better. We focus on youth development and financial education to give back to our communities. We know managing money can be tough for both kids and adults.

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Deepfake: AI-Powered Fraud

You’ve probably heard the phrase: “Don’t believe everything you see on the internet.” Now more than ever, it is crucial to question the authenticity of what we see and hear online. Staying Vigilant Against AI-Powered Fraud Staying vigilant against AI-powered fraud requires a combination of best practices, including education, authentication, and monitoring. Individuals must be aware of the risks and techniques scammers use to avoid falling prey to their deception. As a simple...

Check Scams

Scammers use many tactics to steal money—including paying people with fake checks. The phony checks can look like real business checks, personal checks, cashier’s checks or money orders—and be for large sums of money. In a fake check scam, a person you don’t know asks you to deposit a check and send money or gift cards to another person. They may say you need to pay taxes or fees or buy supplies. Common check scams: In these scams, the potential victim gets “paid” by...

Software Updates

One of the easiest ways to boost your cybersecurity is to always keep software and apps updated. Every day, software and app developers focus on keeping their users and products secure. They’re constantly looking for clues that hackers are trying to break into their systems or searching for holes where cybercriminals could sneak in, even if they’ve never been breached before. To fix these issues and improve security for everyone who uses their services, upstanding software companies...

Vacation and Travel Security

As you prepare for your next vacation, it's important to consider the potential cyber risks you may face while using technology. Whether you're sharing photos online or finding lodging through an app, it's essential to take steps to keep your information safe from cybercriminals. Here are some simple practices to keep in mind before and during your trip: Before You Go: - Travel lightly: Limit the number of devices you bring on your trip. - Check your settings: Review the privacy...

Planters First Bank joins ‘Safe Banking for Seniors’ campaign

Planters First Bank is joining the national effort to protect seniors from becoming victims of fraud and financial abuse by offering Safe Banking for Seniors workshops within the communities we serve and by providing free online resources. Each year older customers lose approximately $2.9 billion to fraud, but it is suspected that number is drastically underestimated because only 1 in 44 seniors report financial abuse. Safe Banking for Seniors is a new financial education program...

Understanding FDIC Deposit Insurance

Sleep tight — Your money is safe! If the economy suddenly tanks or some banks fail, there’s absolutely no reason to head to your local bank branch and withdraw a suitcase full of cash. Your money is much safer in a bank than it would be stuffed under your mattress (or anywhere else). Protecting our customers’ deposits and funds at Planters First Bank is a top priority. You may have heard that Planters First Bank is FDIC-insured or is a member of the FDIC. But what does that mean for...

Read More » Posted on Mar 28, 2023

Staying Safe in a Cyber World

Between the recent Yahoo, Facebook, Neopets, and LinkedIn data breaches, close to four billion consumers have had their personal information stolen. While the size of these digital heists is unprecedented, they’re nothing new for modern consumers. Since the early 90s, criminals have been stealing online customer data, leveraging credit cards or social security info for billions in ill-gotten gain. And, of course, the banking industry is no stranger to these attacks. At Planters First...

Read More » Posted on Mar 28, 2023

Corporate Account Takeover

A type of internet risk is Corporate Account Takeover Corporate Account Takeover is an ongoing electronic crime typically involving the exploitation of businesses. Businesses that are more at risk are those with limited to no computer safeguards and minimal or no disbursement controls for use with their bank's online business banking system. These businesses are vulnerable to theft when cyber thieves gain access to their computer system to take confidential banking information in order to...

Read More » Posted on Mar 28, 2023

"Help Wanted" or "Money Mules" SCAMS

Criminals don't like getting caught. So, when they want to send and receive stolen money, they get someone else to do the dirty work. Some scammers develop online relationships and ask their new sweetheart or friend to accept a deposit and transfer funds for them. Other cons recruit victims with job ads that seem like they're for legit jobs, but they're not. Law enforcement calls the victims 'money mules.' If you get involved with one of these schemes, you could lose money and personal...

Read More » Posted on Mar 28, 2023

Best Practices for Internet Users

Passwords Use strong passwords – Passwords should be complex, use long phrases and a mixture of capital and lowercase letters, numbers, and special characters. Keep passwords a secret and safe – Do not share passwords with anyone. Keep them in a secure place if written down. Change passwords frequently. Use different passwords for different accounts; never use the same password for business and personal accounts Electronic Devices and Software Keep software...

Read More » Posted on Mar 28, 2023

Is My Mobile Deposit Secure?

Today’s modern banks are embracing technology and mobile applications. With this service comes the ability to deposit checks with your smartphone without ever having to step into your local bank or visit an ATM. It is convenient, but is it a safe way to ensure your money gets deposited into your account? Here we look at what you need to know about Mobile Deposit and how to keep it a convenient – and safe – way to do your banking on the go. What exactly is Mobile Deposit? Mobile...

Read More » Posted on Mar 28, 2023

Help your finances bloom

Spring cleaning your finances doesn't have to be a chore with these simple steps! With Planters First Bank Online & Mobile Banking, you can organize your finances with ease. From your desktop or your mobile device, you can manage your finances and start working on achieving your financial goals this spring. Secure access at your fingertips Track your spending: Set up a budget and figure out your spending habits — are you using those memberships? How much do you spend eating out?...