Cybersecurity Awareness

Introducing financial concepts early in life can empower young people to build healthy money habits that promote independence and long-term stability. Research shows that financial education is often tied to lower debt, higher savings, and improved credit. By making money a regular topic of conversation, children are given the tools they need to make financial… Continue reading Teaching Young People About Money

Being “money smart” isn’t just about knowing how to save. It’s about making informed decisions with your finances, big or small. Whether you’re managing a budget or trying to avoid debt, having a solid understanding of how money works can give you confidence and freedom in your daily life. A common misconception is that being… Continue reading How Money Smart Are You?

Despite the fact that check use has declined by 25%, reports of check fraud have soared. In fact, they’ve nearly doubled since 2021. Criminals are becoming more sophisticated and finding new ways to steal your financial information to gain access to your money. Kirkwood Bank & Trust is committed to helping our customers use checks… Continue reading Do You Practice Safe Checks?

Zelle® is a fast, safe and easy way to send and receive money with people you trust, like your babysitter, coworkers, fellow PTA mom, or your son’s soccer coach. Whether you just enrolled with Zelle® or have been an active user for a while, there are a few tips you should always keep in mind… Continue reading How to Send Money with Zelle® Safely

In light of the recent news regarding high-profile bank failures, we want to remind you that Kirkwood Bank & Trust remains well capitalized and well positioned to continue to serve our customers and communities. Being chartered since 1975, we have endured numerous cycles within the banking and financial services industry. As a community bank, we…

The Office of Cybersecurity and Critical Infrastructure Protection has released a consumer advisory on avoiding cyber and online scams during the holiday season, including a warning about suspicious texts or emails claiming to come from financial institutions. OCCIP noted that cybercrime contributed to more than $12.5 billion in losses in 2023, marking a 22% increase from 2022.… Continue reading Federal cybersecurity office releases tips for consumers on avoiding holiday scams

Despite the fact that check use has declined by 25%, reports of check fraud have soared. In fact, they’ve nearly doubled since 2021. Criminals are becoming more sophisticated and finding new ways to steal your financial information to gain access to your money. Kirkwood Bank & Trust is committed to helping our customers use checks… Continue reading Do You Practice Safe Checks?

Every day, thousands of people fall victim to fraudulent emails, texts and calls from scammers pretending to be their bank. And in this time of expanded use of online and mobile banking, the problem is only growing worse. In fact, the Federal Trade Commission’s report on fraud estimates that American consumers lost a staggering $10… Continue reading Can You Spot a Phishing Scam?

Summary Voice Over Internet Protocols (VoIP) is one-way threat actors attempt to trick unsuspecting consumers into sharing their confidential information, such as usernames, passwords, bank account information, and the like. These actors frequently use “ID Spoofing” as vehicles in their attack campaigns. ID Spoofing is when a caller deliberately falsifies the information transmitted to a… Continue reading Keeping an Eye Out for Telcom Attacks

Elder abuse refers to an intentional or negligent act by any person that causes harm or a serious risk of harm to an older adult. The trauma of elder abuse can result in premature death, the deterioration of physical and psychological health, destruction of social and familial ties, devastating financial loss, and more. Older adults… Continue reading Protecting Vulnerable Adults

The Office of Cybersecurity and Critical Infrastructure Protection has released a consumer advisory on avoiding cyber and online scams during the holiday season, including a warning about suspicious texts or emails claiming to come from financial institutions. OCCIP noted that cybercrime contributed to more than $12.5 billion in losses in 2023, marking a 22% increase from 2022.… Continue reading Federal cybersecurity office releases tips for consumers on avoiding holiday scams

Despite the fact that check use has declined by 25%, reports of check fraud have soared. In fact, they’ve nearly doubled since 2021. Criminals are becoming more sophisticated and finding new ways to steal your financial information to gain access to your money. Kirkwood Bank & Trust is committed to helping our customers use checks… Continue reading Do You Practice Safe Checks?

Every day, thousands of people fall victim to fraudulent emails, texts and calls from scammers pretending to be their bank. And in this time of expanded use of online and mobile banking, the problem is only growing worse. In fact, the Federal Trade Commission’s report on fraud estimates that American consumers lost a staggering $10… Continue reading Can You Spot a Phishing Scam?

Summary Voice Over Internet Protocols (VoIP) is one-way threat actors attempt to trick unsuspecting consumers into sharing their confidential information, such as usernames, passwords, bank account information, and the like. These actors frequently use “ID Spoofing” as vehicles in their attack campaigns. ID Spoofing is when a caller deliberately falsifies the information transmitted to a… Continue reading Keeping an Eye Out for Telcom Attacks

In March 2024, the FBI Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3) released the 2023 IC3 Annual Report. In 2023, the IC3 received a record number of complaints from the American public: 880,418 complaints, with potential losses exceeding $12.5 billion. Most losses reported to the IC3 are the result of frauds and scams. Review the FBI Fraud… Continue reading Don’t Get Scammed – FBI Fraud Alert

If you think your account has been compromised but you are not sure, it is better to err on the side of caution and follow these steps: Login to your email account and reset your password using a strong password. Use long passphrases to make passwords easier to remember and more secure. Do not use… Continue reading What should you do if you suspect your email account has been compromised?

Ransomware is one of the cyber-attacks that is on the rise in response to the pandemic. Homes are being used as business offices, and computers and networks are being shared by family members. Families are taking classes, doing homework and surfing the web in addition to performing business functions.