Since 2013, financial institutions have filed more than 180,000 suspicious activity reports targeting older adults, totaling more than $6 billion. Financial exploitation is a fast-growing form of abuse of seniors and adults with disabilities. Situations of financial exploitation commonly involve trusted persons in the life of the vulnerable adult, such as: Caretakers Family members Neighbors…

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Tax season is in full swing, which means criminals will go to great lengths to separate you from your money, your identity, or anything of value that is within their reach. They may offer seemingly legitimate “tax services” that are actually designed to steal your identity and your tax refund. Often times, criminals will lure…

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Are you ready for the biggest online shopping weekend of the holiday season? The bad guys certainly are. So while you’re looking for the best Black Friday and Cyber Monday deals, make sure you’re also on the lookout for holiday shopping scams. Be aware of the following scams and safety tips to protect yourself this…

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In recognition of National Cybersecurity Month in October, First Community Bank of East Tennessee (FCB) and the Independent Community Bankers of America® (ICBA) are reminding consumers of simple steps they can take to safeguard their sensitive data when making purchases online or via a smart device and what to do if they suspect their information…

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The official first day of summer is Friday, June 21! Right now, you probably have beaches on the brain or you’re thinking about that long-planned trip abroad. Before you head out, follow these steps from the Federal Trade Commission to help keep your dream vacation from becoming a nightmare: Do some research — and then…

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As financial scammers continue targeting Tennessee’s vulnerable adults, Governor Bill Lee has proclaimed Saturday, June 15, 2019 as Elder Abuse Awareness Day in Tennessee. In anticipation of this day, the Tennessee Department of Commerce and Insurance’s (TDCI) Securities and Consumer Affairs divisions are joining other Tennessee state agencies to warn seniors and their families in order to…

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Do you receive frequent phone calls from what appears to be a local phone number only to discover it’s a generic recording about your car warranty? Or even a “law enforcement official” urging you to pay a fine to avoid incarceration? Yes, us, too. Unwanted calls – including illegal and spoofed robocalls – are the…

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Your security is our top priority. Follow these eight simple steps to help fight fraud on your account. Help us get in touch with you.  Keep your contact information up-to-date, especially your mobile number. Download our mobile banking app and check your account regularly for any unusual activity. Report suspicious activity promptly. Create a strong,…

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Facebook breach: what to do next Facebook recently announced the largest breach in the company’s history. The breach affected about 50 million users, allowing hackers to take over their accounts. If you use Facebook, you may be wondering what to do next. Here are a few steps you can take. First, you probably want to…

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