Security Center

October 19, 2022- Cybersecurity Tips:

• Watch for misspelled words. Fraudulent texts and emails often have typos. Real banks use spell check. 
• Call the number on your card. If you think an email, text, or call might be a scam, play it safe. Just hang up and call the number on the back of your card.
• Never share your PIN or password. Got an email, text, or phone call that claims to be from your bank, but is asking for your PIN or password? Banks never ask that. Just hang up and call the number on the back of your card. 
• Beware of scare tactics. Scam emails, texts, and calls may pressure or even threaten you to respond. Banks never ask that. Just ignore them, and call your bank directly.
• Be wary of suspicious links. Banks will never send you a text or email that asks you to click a suspicious link.

ATTENTION: Beginning Monday, May 10th, all of our branch lobbies will open on regular schedule. Masks are still required inside all of our buildings.

ATTENTION: Effective immediately, all branch lobbies are closed to customer traffic. Customers may make appointments for safe deposit box access or loan activities as needed, but all other transactions will need to be conducted through the drive-thru. Customers may also take advantage of our online/mobile/telephone banking services. Thank you!

• Hang up on robocalls. Don’t press any numbers. Scammers are using illegal robocalls to pitch everything from scam Coronavirus treatments to work-at-home schemes. The recording might say that pressing a number will let you speak to a live operator or remove you from their call list, but it might lead to more robocalls, instead.
• Ignore online offers for vaccinations and home test kits. There currently are no vaccines, pills, potions, lotions, lozenges or other prescription or over-the-counter products available to treat or cure Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) — online or in stores. At this time, there also are no FDA-authorized home test kits for the Coronavirus. Visit the FDA to learn more.
• Fact-check information. Scammers, and sometimes well-meaning people, share information that hasn’t been verified. Before you pass on any messages, contact trusted sources. Visit What the U.S. Government is Doing for links to federal, state and local government agencies.
• Know who you’re buying from. Online sellers may claim to have in-demand products, like cleaning, household, and health and medical supplies when, in fact, they don’t.
• Don’t respond to texts and emails about checks from the government. The details are still being worked out. Anyone who tells you they can get you the money now is a scammer. Do Not give any account information as the Government or Banks will not request this information
• Don’t click on links from sources you don’t know. They could download viruses onto your computer or device.
• Watch for emails claiming to be from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) or experts saying they have information about the virus. For the most up-to-date information about the Coronavirus, visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the World Health Organization (WHO).
• Do your homework when it comes to donations, whether through charities or crowdfunding sites. Don’t let anyone rush you into making a donation. If someone wants donations in cash, by gift card, or by wiring money, don’t do it. 

March 19, 2020 - COVID-19 Communication

First Sentinel Bank is first and foremost local people serving local people.  As we continue to navigate the uncertainty surrounding COVID-19, our bank is focused on serving the best interests of our customers, our employees, and our communities.  As we continue our preventive measures to protect your health and safety, we have weighed several options in light of state and federal guidelines and recommendations by the Center for Disease Control as well as recommendations made by the Virginia Bankers Association.  With your wellbeing in mind, First Sentinel Bank has made the decision to close our branch lobbies and move to drive thru only services effective Friday, March 20^th.  We will remain open for all of your needs; however, the way we will have to transact business will be modified. We will continue with drive thru only service for the foreseeable future.

Our operating hours will remain unchanged and you will still be able to make deposits, withdrawals, pay loan payments, and conduct other standard banking transactions through the drive thru.  Should you need access to your safe deposit box or need to speak with a loan officer, you may call the branch to schedule an appointment.

Our hours of operation will remain unchanged and are as follows:

Monday -Friday, 8 am – 6pm (drive thru)
Monday – Friday, 9 am – 5pm (branch appointments as necessary)

For your convenience, we also have several electronic banking options:

ATM

• Our branch ATMS are available 24/7
• Make deposits
• Check balances
• Withdraw cash
• Also have fee-free access to over 55,000 ATMs nationwide with the AllPoint Network

Telephone Banking (276/963-3400)

• Available 24/7
• Transfer funds between accounts
• Check balances and account history or pending transactions
• Make payments.

Online banking

• Visit our website at firstsentinelbank.com
• Convenient access to your account statements and transactions history
• Pay bills without mailing a check with Online BillPay
• Transfer funds between accounts
• Make loan payments (via Loan Portal)
• Call your local branch for more information on enrolling in Online Banking

Mobile banking

• Download app available in iTunes App Store or Google Play store
• Convenient banking in the palm of your hand
• View transactions
• Transfer funds between accounts
• Schedule bill payments through BillPay
• View eStatements
• Call your local branch for more information on enrolling in Mobile Banking

Rest assured that First Sentinel Bank is committed to being here for you and is taking every precaution possible to protect your health and safety.  We will continue to monitor the situation and will notify you of additional changes as information becomes available.   Thank you for being an important part of our First Sentinel family. 

Stay Well,

John Thompson
President & CEO
First Sentinel Bank

  

As more information becomes available regarding the current COVID-19 situation, and as we still continue to deal with other seasonal communicable illnesses (such as seasonal flu), First Sentinel Bank wants to assure all of our customers, employees, and community partners that your health and well-being continue to be our primary focus.  To that end, we want to provide information regarding our plans for proactively avoiding disruptions to services, and provide additional resources for your reference.

To address ongoing concerns regarding COVID-19 and community spread, we remind you of our alternate means of banking with us.  For your convenience, the following methods are available to you 24/7:

• Online banking, including loan payments, balance inquiries and transfers, and BillPay (visit us at firstsentinelbank.com).
• Mobile banking, including balance inquiries and transfers, BillPay (available in the iTunes and Android app stores).
• Telephone Banking (call (276) 963-3400).
• ATMs (located at all of our branches).

Below are additional measures we have proactively implemented to safeguard your health and well-being:

• Enhanced cleaning protocol at all of our locations to ensure heightened levels of disinfection and safety.
• Availability of hand sanitizer and tissues in all of our offices for your use.
• Staff education regarding Center for Disease Control recommendations for remaining healthy.
• Establishment of staffing policies to assist employees who are exposed or exhibit any symptoms of illness.

For more information regarding COVID-19 click on the following links to access resources from the Center of Disease Control:

https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/downloads/2019-ncov-factsheet.pdf

https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/downloads/workplace-school-and-home-guidance.pdf

https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/downloads/sick-with-2019-nCoV-fact-sheet.pdf

Rest assured that First Sentinel Bank is actively working to ensure your financial needs continue to be met during this situation.  We are more committed than ever to serving you with excellence no matter the situation. 

Stay well,

The Team at First Sentinel Bank

Two variations of official checks currently in circulation resemble the bank's authentic checks. Look for security features on official checks such as heat sensitive security seal.

Counterfeit checks presented to date have been made payable in varying amounts beginning at $1,000, have contained different remitter names, and reference "Branch: 0001" in the bottom, and contain an authorized signature of "Rachel Cantrell and Amber Johnson along with another version of the counterfeit check that have different signatures, which are not legible."

Potential victims of this mystery shopping scam are contacted via e-mail or by a letter in the mail to go shopping at various locations. Once the assignment is accepted, the potential victim receives a letter in the mail or email along with payment in the form of a counterfeit check with instructions to send a money order and receipt to one or more individuals.

Letters accompanying the checks instruct the potential victim to immediately deposit the check into his or her bank account and to retain a portion of the money as a commission. The potential victim is then to use a small amount of the funds to make a purchase at a well-known chain store. Once the victim has purchased an item they are to e-mail an evaluation to rate their experience.

Potential victims have also been contacted by selling items on craigslist and receiving counterfeit official checks that have overpaid for the item and ask the victim to deposit the check and get the overpaid amount out in cash and then purchase a money order for the amount overpaid and mail and/or text a picture of the receipt to the person buying item.

Please be aware of these scams and contact First Sentinel bank to have them verify the authenticity of these type of checks at (276) 963-0836 or by e-mailing us. In addition to contacting the appropriate banks, there are others whom you also should notify if you receive a counterfeit item. They include:

Please be aware of a text message scam that is circulating. The message states it is Wells Fargo and that your Visa debit card is locked. This message is in no way associated with First Sentinel Bank. It is a scam trying to get your card information. Do not reply back to the message or call the number provided.

There is also a "robocall" scam circulating that will ask "can you hear me now." Do not answer this call or say anything. Additional information on this scam is provided on NetworkWorld. 

Please be aware of any emails you receive implying First Sentinel Bank needs you to send your online banking log-in information to the website listed in the email so your account can be updated. DO NOT REPLY to this type of emails….This type of emails are phishing SCAMS to steal your log-in information. Also, please do not respond to any e-mail stating that a debit card you requested has been mailed. These are also SCAM e-mails trying to obtain account information.

First Sentinel Bank will never call, text, or email a request for your personal information, account information or online banking information. If you have received such an email or text and have provided any information, please contact the bank immediately at (276) 963-3000. 

For more information on cybersecurity, visit the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation and StaySafeOnline.org.

Consumers in the area are receiving pre-recorded phone messages with the warning that their cards from First Sentinel Bank have had a hold placed on them. The message instructs the targeted individual to select a certain number and enter card number and pin to remove the hold. Please do not respond to these types of calls. It is a scam. First Sentinel Bank will never solicit you to reveal your pin number.

Recent reports indicate an increase in text message and phone phishing attacks on consumers and possibly First Sentinel Bank customers. Targeted Individuals receive a phone call or a text with a pre-recorded message. The automated message states the individual’s card has been closed and to re-activate the card they must enter their 16 digit card number, PIN, card expiration date, etc. In some cases there is no number attached to the call.

In most cases, you will not be held liable for unauthorized use of your Debit or ATM card if you report your card lost or stolen in a timely manner. Let us know immediately if your card has been lost or stolen. During normal banking hours, please contact our Customer Service Center at (276) 963-3000, to report your lost or stolen card.  If you discover your card missing after hours or during a weekend, please call 1-866-546-8273.

Please have the following information available:

Contact our Customer Service Center at (276) 963-3000 during banking hours to arrange for a replacement card.

P.O. Box 6790

Fullerton, California 92834-6790

Atlanta, Georgia 30374-0241

If you received such a call and provided your personal information, we urge you to contact us immediately at (276) 963-3000. The Customer Service Representative you speak with will be able to take appropriate steps to help protect your First Sentinel Bank accounts from potential fraudulent use.

At First Sentinel Bank, we want to provide you with the highest level of account protection. Please help us do so by keeping your contact information up to date. If a fraudulent transaction is suspected on your account, our fraud center will contact you by phone. Please provide us with a current phone number by giving us a call at (276) 963-3000, sending us a message via online banking, or by visiting your local branch. Thank you for your assistance in this matter, we appreciate your time and look forward to serving your banking needs.

As always, First Sentinel Bank would never ask you to provide personal or account information in an unsolicited manner. We apologize for any inconvenience or concern this unfortunate event may have caused you, and hope you understand that this was not a situation which was in our control. At First Sentinel Bank, we honor our commitment to handle your financial information with the utmost care and confidentiality.