Customer Support Blog

Welcome to our Support & Security page! Nebraska State Bank will post tips here on how to protect yourself from common scams, as well as discuss other safety and security issues that might affect our customers.

If you have gotten suspicious calls, letters, emails or online messages, or you feel like something isn’t quite right with your account, please contact us immediately at (308) 772-3234.

Don’t Click That Link!

Cyber scams have gotten so good that even we can nearly fall for them.
A recent rash of fake PayPal/Netflix emails have asked NSB employees and customers alike to click a link to update payment information. Of course they aren’t legitimate emails, and giving these scammers your account or card info can result in lost money and much frustration.

With our busy lives and occasionally changing card numbers, it’s easy to mindlessly click somewhere, update the numbers, and get on with our day. But instead of clicking an email link, first ask yourself, do I actually pay for this service or share it with a family member? Did I actually get an updated card number? Going to the website or mobile app itself is the safest way to check the account status.

Elder Fraud: $3 Billion Lost Each Year

According to the FBI, millions of elderly Americans fall victim to some type of financial fraud or confidence scheme. These scams cost seniors more than $3 billion each year.

Criminals gain your trust through computer, phone, and mail communication, as well as through TV and radio. Once successful, scammers are likely to keep a scheme going because of the prospect of significant financial gain.
Learn more about these scams below, so you don’t become a victim of these heinous crimes.

Common Elder Fraud Schemes

Romance scam: Criminals pose as interested romantic partners on social media or dating websites to capitalize on their elderly victims’ desire to find companions.

Tech support scam: Criminals pose as technology support representatives and offer to fix non-existent computer issues. The scammers gain remote access to victims’ devices and sensitive information.

Grandparent scam: Criminals pose as a relative—usually a child or grandchild—claiming to be in immediate financial need (in jail, etc.).

Government impersonation scam: Criminals pose as government employees and threaten to arrest or prosecute victims unless they agree to provide funds or other payments.

Sweepstakes/charity/lottery scam: Criminals claim to work for legitimate charitable organizations to gain victims’ trust. Or they claim their targets have won a foreign lottery or sweepstake, which they can collect for a “fee.”

Home repair scam: Criminals appear in person and charge homeowners in advance for home improvement services that they never provide.

TV/radio scam: Criminals target potential victims using illegitimate advertisements about legitimate services, such as reverse mortgages or credit repair.
Family/caregiver scam: Relatives or acquaintances of the elderly victims take advantage of them or otherwise get their money.

How To Protect Yourself

• Recognize scam attempts and end all communication with the perpetrator.
• Search online for the person’s/company’s contact information (name, email, phone number, addresses) and the proposed offer. Other people have likely posted information online about individuals and businesses trying to run scams.
• Resist the pressure to act quickly. Scammers create a sense of urgency to produce fear and lure victims into immediate action. Call the police immediately if you feel there is a danger to yourself or a loved one.
• Be cautious of unsolicited phone calls, mailings, and door-to-door services offers.
• Never give or send any personally identifiable information, money, jewelry, gift cards, checks, or wire information to unverified people or businesses.
• Make sure all computer anti-virus and security software and malware protections are up to date. Use reputable anti-virus software and firewalls.
• Disconnect from the internet and shut down your device if you see a pop-up message or locked screen. Pop-ups are regularly used by perpetrators to spread malicious software. Enable pop-up blockers to avoid accidentally clicking on a pop-up.
• Be careful what you download. Never open an email attachment from someone you don’t know, and be wary of email attachments forwarded to you.
• Take precautions to protect your identity if a criminal gains access to your device or account. Immediately contact your bank to place protections on your accounts, and monitor your accounts and personal information for suspicious activity.

For more information, please visit www.fbi.gov

How to Protect Your Computer

Here are some key steps to protecting your computer from intrusion:

• Keep Your Firewall Turned On: A firewall helps protect your computer from hackers who might try to gain access to crash it, delete information, or even steal passwords or other sensitive information. Software firewalls are widely recommended for single computers. The software is prepackaged on some operating systems or can be purchased for individual computers. For multiple networked computers, hardware routers typically provide firewall protection.
• Install or Update Your Antivirus Software: Antivirus software is designed to prevent malicious software programs from embedding on your computer. If it detects malicious code, like a virus or a worm, it works to disarm or remove it. Viruses can infect computers without users’ knowledge. Most types of antivirus software can be set up to update automatically.
• Install or Update Your Antispyware Technology: Spyware is just what it sounds like—software that is surreptitiously installed on your computer to let others peer into your activities on the computer. Some spyware collects information about you without your consent or produces unwanted pop-up ads on your web browser. Some operating systems offer free spyware protection, and inexpensive software is readily available for download on the Internet or at your local computer store. Be wary of ads on the Internet offering downloadable antispyware—in some cases these products may be fake and may actually contain spyware or other malicious code. It’s like buying groceries—shop where you trust.
• Keep Your Operating System Up to Date: Computer operating systems are periodically updated to stay in tune with technology requirements and to fix security holes. Be sure to install the updates to ensure your computer has the latest protection.
• Be Careful What You Download: Carelessly downloading e-mail attachments can circumvent even the most vigilant anti-virus software. Never open an e-mail attachment from someone you don’t know, and be wary of forwarded attachments from people you do know. They may have unwittingly advanced malicious code.
• Turn Off Your Computer: With the growth of high-speed Internet connections, many opt to leave their computers on and ready for action. The downside is that being “always on” renders computers more susceptible. Beyond firewall protection, which is designed to fend off unwanted attacks, turning the computer off effectively severs an attacker’s connection—be it spyware or a botnet that employs your computer’s resources to reach out to other unwitting users.

For more information, please visit www.fbi.gov