Spam Text Messages and Phishing

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Scammers send fake text messages to trick you into giving them your personal information — things like your password, account number, or Social Security number. If they get that information, they could gain access to your email, bank, or other accounts. Or they could sell your information to other scammers. Scammers often try to get you to click on links in text messages by promising you something.

Scammers might
  • promise free prizes, gift cards, or coupons — but they’re not real
  • offer you a low or no interest credit card — but there’s no deal and probably no card
  • promise to help you pay off your student loans — but they won’t

Scammers also send fake messages that say they have information about your account or a transaction.

Scammers might
  • say they’ve noticed some suspicious activity on your account — but they haven’t
  • claim there’s a problem with your payment information — but there isn’t
  • send you a fake invoice and tell you to contact them if you didn’t authorize the purchase — but it’s a scam
  • send you a package delivery notification — but it’s fake

The messages might ask you to give some personal information — like how much money you make, how much you owe, or your bank account, credit card, or Social Security number — to claim your gift or pursue the offer. Or they might tell you to click on a link to learn more about the issue. Some links might take you to a spoofed website that looks real but isn’t. If you log in, the scammers then might steal your username and password. Other messages might install harmful malware on your phone that steals your personal or financial information without you realizing it.

What To Do About Spam Text Messages

If you get a text message you weren’t expecting and it asks you to give some personal or financial information, don’t click on any links. Legitimate companies won’t ask for information about your account by text. If you think the message might be real, contact the company using a phone number or website you know is real. Not the information in the text message. There are many ways to filter unwanted text messages or stop them before they reach you –

On your phone:

Your phone may have an option to filter and block spam or messages from unknown senders. Here’s how to filter and block messages on an iPhone and how to block a phone number on an Android phone.

Through your wireless provider:

Your wireless provider might have a tool or service that lets you block calls and text messages. Check out ctia.org, a website from the wireless industry, to learn about options from different providers.

With a call-blocking app:

Some call-blocking apps also let you block unwanted text messages. Go to ctia.org for a list of call-blocking apps for Android, BlackBerry, Apple, and Windows phones, or search for an app online. Check out the features, user ratings, and expert reviews.

Bank Closed for Memorial Day – Monday, May 31, 2021

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Why is Abbeville First Bank Closed on May 29, 2021?

We follow the U.S. Federal Reserve’s holiday schedule. 

Though federal offices and many workplaces will be closed for Memorial Day, most stores and restaurants will remain open for business. Bank holidays aren’t always the same day that people have off from work. This can lead to some of us thinking banks are open when they really are closed and vice versa.

What if you need us while we are closed?

1. Login Online or Use an App

This is the quickest and easiest method, you don’t even have to leave the warmth of your home! When you log in to your account online you can check balances, pay bills, move money around between accounts, set up alerts for a low balance or when a particular check clears, stop payments, and more!

Your banking abilities extend a little further, too, if you have our mobile app. It adds the ability to deposit checks right from your smartphone.
Personal Banking account apps: Apple Store or Google Play Store.
Business Banking account apps:  Apple Store or Google Play Store.

Since the U.S. Federal Reserve is still closed, some transactions will be processed the next business day. While you can perform your transactions, the money may not go through immediately.

2. ATMs

If you simply can’t wait to make a cash deposit or withdrawal, our ATMs are always available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. 

3. Come See Us Another Day

Bank holidays just mean you won’t be able to go into a branch and speak with a teller that day. Our lobby and drive-thru lines will be open and ready to serve you first thing in the morning on Tuesday, June 1, 2021.

We look forward to seeing you soon.

 

Bonus: Plan ahead!

The days that Abbeville First will be closed in 2023 are:
Memorial Day: Monday, May 29th
Juneteenth: Monday, June 19th
Independence Day: Tuesday, July 4th
Labor Day: Monday, September 4th
Columbus Day: Monday, October 9th
Thanksgiving Day: Thursday, November 23rd
Christmas Day:  Monday, December 25th

† When a holiday falls on Saturday or Sunday, most employees observed the holiday on the previous Friday or following Monday, respectively (5 U.S.C. 6103(b) and Executive Order 11582 3(a)).

Bank Closed for Good Friday – Friday, April 7, 2023

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Why is Abbeville First Bank Closed on April 7, 2023?

We follow the U.S. Federal Reserve’s holiday schedule. 

Though federal offices and some workplaces will be closed for Good Friday, many stores and restaurants will remain open for business. Bank holidays aren’t always the same day that people have off from work. This can lead to some of us thinking banks are open when they really are closed and vice versa.

What if you need us while we are closed?

1. Login Online or Use an App

This is the quickest and easiest method, you don’t even have to leave the warmth of your home! When you log in to your account online you can check balances, pay bills, move money around between accounts, set up alerts for a low balance or when a particular check clears, stop payments, and more!

Your banking abilities extend a little further, too, if you have our mobile app. It adds the ability to deposit checks right from your smartphone.
Personal Banking account apps: Apple Store or Google Play Store.
Business Banking account apps:  Apple Store or Google Play Store.

Since the U.S. Federal Reserve is still closed, some transactions will be processed the next business day. While you can perform your transactions, the money may not go through immediately.

2. ATMs

If you simply can’t wait to make a cash deposit or withdrawal, our ATMs are always available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. 

3. Come See Us Another Day

Bank holidays just mean you won’t be able to go into a branch and speak with a teller that day. Our lobby and drive-thru lines will be open and ready to serve you first thing in the morning on Monday, April 10, 2023.

We look forward to seeing you soon.

 

Bonus: Plan ahead!

The days that Abbeville First will be closed in 2023 are:
Juneteenth: Monday, June 19th
Memorial Day: Monday, May 29th
Independence Day: Tuesday, July 4th
Labor Day: Monday, September 4th
Columbus Day: Monday, October 9th
Thanksgiving Day: Thursday, November 23rd
Christmas Day:  Monday, December 25th

† When a holiday falls on Saturday or Sunday, most employees observed the holiday on the previous Friday or following Monday, respectively (5 U.S.C. 6103(b) and Executive Order 11582 3(a)).

 

Bank Closed in Honor of Martin Luther King Jr. Day – Monday, January 16, 2023

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Why is Abbeville First Bank Closed on January 16, 2023?

We follow the U.S. Federal Reserve’s holiday schedule. For over three decades, the U.S. has dedicated the third Monday of every January to the memory and legacy of civil rights icon Martin Luther King, Jr.

 

Though federal offices and most workplaces will be closed for the holiday on Monday, many stores and restaurants will remain open for business. Bank holidays aren’t always the same day that people have off from work. This can lead to some of us thinking banks are open when they really are closed and vice versa.

What if you need us while we are closed?

1. Login Online or Use an App

This is the quickest and easiest method, you don’t even have to leave the warmth of your home! When you log in to your account online you can check balances, pay bills, move money around between accounts, set up alerts for a low balance or when a particular check clears, stop payments, and more!

Your banking abilities extend a little further, too, if you have our mobile app. It adds the ability to deposit checks right from your smartphone.
Personal Banking account apps: Apple Store or Google Play Store.
Business Banking account apps:  Apple Store or Google Play Store.

Since the U.S. Federal Reserve is still closed, some transactions will be processed the next business day. While you can perform your transactions, the money may not go through immediately.

2. ATMs

If you simply can’t wait to make a cash deposit or withdrawal, our ATMs are always available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. 

3. Come See Us Another Day

Bank holidays just mean you won’t be able to go into a branch and speak with a teller that day. Our lobby and drive-thru lines will be open and ready to serve you first thing in the morning on Tuesday, January 17, 2023.

We look forward to seeing you soon.

 

Bonus: Plan ahead!

The days that Abbeville First will be closed in 2023 are:
President’s Day: Monday, January 20th
Good Friday: Friday, April 7th
Juneteenth: Monday, June 19th
Memorial Day: Monday, May 29th
Independence Day: Tuesday, July 4th
Labor Day: Monday, September 4th
Columbus Day: Monday, October 9th
Thanksgiving Day: Thursday, November 23rd
Christmas Day:  Monday, December 25th

† When a holiday falls on Saturday or Sunday, most employees observed the holiday on the previous Friday or following Monday, respectively (5 U.S.C. 6103(b) and Executive Order 11582 3(a)).

 

Bank Closed in Observance of Christmas

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Merry Christmas! We hope that you are able to truly enjoy the holiday season with the ones you love.

Why is Abbeville First Bank Closed on Monday, December 26th, 2022?

We will be closed on Monday, December 26th, 2022 in observation of Christmas Day.

We follow the U.S. Federal Reserve’s holiday schedule but the early closure on Friday will allow our members to spend a little more time with their friends and family (following safe social distancing guides, of course).  We look forward to serving you again on Tuesday, December 27th.

What if you need us while we are closed?

1. Login Online or Use an App

This is the quickest and easiest method, you don’t even have to leave the warmth of your home! When you log in to your account online you can check balances, pay bills, move money around between accounts, set up alerts for a low balance or when a particular check clears, stop payments, and more!

Your banking abilities extend a little further, too, if you have our mobile app. It adds the ability to deposit checks right from your smartphone.
Personal Banking account apps: Apple Store or Google Play Store.
Business Banking account apps:  Apple Store or Google Play Store.

Since the U.S. Federal Reserve is still closed, some transactions will be processed the next business day. While you can perform your transactions, the money may not go through immediately.

2. ATMs

If you simply can’t wait to make a cash deposit or withdrawal, our ATM is always available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. 

3. Come See Us Another Day

Bank holidays just mean you won’t be able to go into a branch and speak with a teller that day. Our lobby and drive-thru lines will be open and ready to serve you first thing in the morning on Tuesday, December 27, 2022.

We look forward to seeing you soon.

Protect Yourself While Shopping Online

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The holidays are here, and you have loved ones to shop for. Completing your holiday shopping online is convenient, but unfortunately it can leave you open to fraud. With a few easy preventative steps, you can safeguard your financial information and finances whether you’re shopping online, in-store or on your phone.

In case of suspicious activity we want to be able to contact you quickly to resolve the issue. Making sure that your phone number and email address are correct in our systems is key for quick resolution.

A strong password means a strong defense against hackers. Every year the most common (and therefore the worst) passwords in use are “123456” and “password.” Don’t use those passwords! Passwords with simple patterns, such as “1234” or “qwerty,” or with obvious substitutions, such as “H0u$e,” are easy to guess.

For example, a six-letter, lowercase password could take five minutes to break; one with nine letters could take two months. A six-character password that alternates numbers and symbols could take less than nine days to break, but one with nine characters could take a cybercriminal nearly 20,000 years to figure out.

When creating a strong password

  • Try to make sure it’s at least eight to 10 characters.
  • Complexity also helps. For example: the sentence “I love the panthers!” becomes “IL()v3Th3P@nth3r$!”
  • Avoid using personal information (such as your Social Security number, phone number, birthday, or pet or family member names).

You can set up alerts & notifications for your Abbeville First Bank accounts to come to you via email or through push notifications on the mobile app! This way you’re alerted the instant something happens. For more information on how to set these up visit our page about Protecting Your Money This Holiday Season with our Account Security Features

Keeping your phone, tablet and computer up to date with the latest browsers and operating systems helps protect against vulnerabilities that hackers can exploit. We know it can be annoying to update things, but those phone operating system updates almost always contain new fixes for vulnerabilities.

If you provide your information or money to a scammer, there is often little we can do to get your money back. However we’ve already covered several ways to watch for scams and how to Keep Your Money Safe while Shopping this Holiday Season in this article!

During the holidays, you may be shopping in ways that are different from your normal pattern, so it makes it tricky to spot fraud. We have several things in place that can help keep you protected. Set up account activity alerts or restrict different types of purchases to help you keep a close eye on your account. As always, if something looks suspicious, report it by calling us at (864) 366-2158 or contacting us!

Account Security Features Help Protect Your Money This Holiday Season

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Holiday season means fraud season. We’re here to help protect you and your accounts!

 

Use Abbeville First’s Debit Card On/Off feature:

To access your debit card controls:

Login to your online banking

On the left column menu, select “Debit Card on/off” (first option under “other”, third to last option overall).

When the screen with your cards comes up, click the 3 vertical dots on the card you want to control. This will pop up a menu with options:

To turn OFF your debit card (this prevents ALL transactions, in person and online):

1. Select “Disable Card.”

To control your debit card usage (this prevents certain kinds of transactions):

2. Select Merchant Controls to choose what type of stores you do NOT want to allow. (Gas stations, restaurants, etc.)

3. Select Transaction Controls to choose which points-of-purchase you do NOT want to allow. (Online, Mail/Phone order, ATMs, etc.)

Debit Card Controls:account screenshot for debit card controls

Merchant Controls:

Transaction Controls:

 

 

Use Abbeville First’s Account Alerts features:

To access your account and transaction alert controls:

Login to your online banking.

In the blue bar at the top of the screen, on the far right, select the “cog” icon for your menu options.

When the screen with your options pops up, click on “Alerts” (first option under “Personalize,” first option at top in white section).

On the next screen you will be able to choose whether you want to set custom notifications for your account balances as well security alerts for any time your information, settings, or preferences change. Choose whether to receive these notifications via email or SMS (or both!).

Account Settings:

   

Account Alerts:

Security Alerts:

 

 

 

 

 

Bank Closed for Veteran’s Day – Friday, November 11, 2022

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Why is Abbeville First Bank Closed on November 11, 2022?

We follow the U.S. Federal Reserve’s holiday schedule. 

Though federal offices and many workplaces will be closed for Veteran’s Day, most stores and restaurants will remain open for business. Bank holidays aren’t always the same day that people have off from work. This can lead to some of us thinking banks are open when they really are closed and vice versa.

What if you need us while we are closed?

1. Login Online or Use an App

This is the quickest and easiest method, you don’t even have to leave the warmth of your home! When you log in to your account online you can check balances, pay bills, move money around between accounts, set up alerts for a low balance or when a particular check clears, stop payments, and more!

Your banking abilities extend a little further, too, if you have our mobile app. It adds the ability to deposit checks right from your smartphone.
Personal Banking account apps: Apple Store or Google Play Store.
Business Banking account apps:  Apple Store or Google Play Store.

Since the U.S. Federal Reserve is still closed, some transactions will be processed the next business day. While you can perform your transactions, the money may not go through immediately.

2. ATMs

If you simply can’t wait to make a cash deposit or withdrawal, our ATMs are always available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. 

3. Come See Us Another Day

Bank holidays just mean you won’t be able to go into a branch and speak with a teller that day. Our lobby will be open and ready to serve you first thing in the morning on Monday, November 14, 2022.

We look forward to seeing you soon.

 

Bonus: Plan ahead!

The remaining days that Abbeville First will be closed in 2022 are:

Thanksgiving Day: Thursday, November 24th
Christmas: Monday, December 26th†

† When a holiday falls on Saturday or Sunday, most employees observed the holiday on the previous Friday or following Monday, respectively (5 U.S.C. 6103(b) and Executive Order 11582 3(a)).

Avoiding Scams and Fraud while Shopping this Holiday Season

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There’s no need to worry about shopping online this December. Keep reading for 5 tips on how to keep your accounts safe while shopping online this holiday season and all year long! 

1. Do Your Research and Know Who You’re Shopping With.

Resembling legitimate brands and websites, scam e-Commerce shops can part victims from their payment and personal information and then never ship the merchandise.

That “perfect gift” you just saw in a Facebook Ad? Take a minute to do some research to make sure it isn’t a lump of coal. Ask others if they have shopped with that company before. Check their Facebook page for reviews. Look them up with the Better Business Bureau. Examine the website for poor grammar and/or misspelled words. Check the website’s privacy & shipping policy before providing personal or financial information.

Another way to double-check website security from the business you are purchasing from is to look at the left corner of the URL to confirm that there is a padlock icon and that the URL begins with HTTPS. These two details indicate that the site should have an extra layer of security attached to it. If those are missing abandon your cart & head over to a more trusted website! 

 

2. Use Secure WiFI or a VPN

With the convenience of mobile sites and shopping apps, it can be so tempting to shop on the go. However, free (public) wireless networks make it much easier to intercept and steal your data. Go ahead & add to cart but wait till you get home to enter your payment information. Or just use the data connection on your phone. It’s significantly more secure than public WiFi. 

If you’re still worried, take the extra step of using a virtual private network (VPN). A VPN encrypts all the data coming in and out of your device, so no one can snoop on your internet activity and steal the information you input online, including logins and payment information.

 

3. Check Statements Regularly.

The holidays are prime time for scammers to make unauthorized charges on stolen cards. While you are busy shopping (online and in-person) for the ones you love, it can be easy to miss one purchase you didn’t make. Often we think that it’s one our spouse made or we just don’t remember who it’s for. 

Be sure to follow St Nick’s example and check your list twice! You can even set up daily account alerts and dispute any purchases that you did not authorize. Keep your receipts (paper and email) to compare them against your statements.

 

4. Keep It Simple

One way to manage all your holiday shopping is to use the same card and email account for all of your holiday shopping. Using one email makes it easier for you to spot phishing emails and to keep track of your online orders in case something gets lost in the mail. Using a separate card from your everyday spending helps you keep a closer watch on exactly how much you have bought and has the added benefit of being able to quickly suspend activities without impacting anything else if the card gets compromised.

Any trustworthy website will email you a sales confirmation after your purchase. Don’t delete these emails until the item has arrived and you know that you are satisfied. While the vendor should have a record of the sale on their end, the receipt has information that you want to be armed with should you need to call customer service or return a purchase.

 

5. Use a Credit Card Wisely

As holiday shoppers look for financing options, like credit lines, as well as unique gift ideas and discounts, they must be cautious of fake ads with festive or personalized themes. Instead of resorting to key word searches, use places you know and trust and visit their sites by typing the URL directly into the address bar.

While in cases of fraud we will make things right if someone empties your checking account, seeing your money disappear can be a lot more stressful than seeing your credit card bill. You can minimize going over your budget by using a single, low-limit credit card to make all of your online purchases.

There are also laws that limit your liability for fraudulent charges on a credit card, but not as many for debit cards. Additionally, use a credit card when using a payment gateway such as PayPal, Google Wallet, or Apple Pay. The reason we suggest this is because debit cards pull money directly from your account & can lead to problems in other areas if unauthorized charges come through. 

 

Bonus: You can set up text or email alerts in your account for transactions that exceed a certain amount of money or if your account goes below a certain amount. This will let you know quickly if a cybercriminal has gone on a shopping spree with your account. Click Here to Learn How!

Daylight Saving Time – Time to Set Back Your Clocks (& Money for your Future)

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Where are your savings set up? Are you saving the right amount? How can you maximize your savings? Daylight Saving Time is a great reminder to evaluate your options and goals. We offer four options for savings:

1. Regular Savings:

  • A great option for starter emergency funds & short-term goals.
  • Allows you easy access to your funds when they’re needed.
  • Encourages you to consciously set aside money while preventing you from spending every penny that is “available.”

2. Premier Savings:

  • A better option for long term savings and bigger goals
  • A higher opening balance suggests that when you’ve built up your Regular Savings you can roll them over to Premier for more benefits.
  • Allows for easier access to your money than stocks, CDs, or IRAs

Consider setting up automatic transfers or splitting your direct deposits between checking and savings. Either of these savings accounts can help you reach your goals faster and keep your money safe from impulse spending.

 

3. Certificates of Deposit (CDs)

  • Useful for known long term goals. We offer a wide range of maturity dates & interest rates to suit your needs. Think of it as “freezing” your money for a specific amount of time.
  • Offers a higher interest rate than traditional savings accounts.
  • Locks in your interest rate for the term of your CD.
  • CD ladders are a popular way to spread your savings across multiple terms and interest rates. You can read more about them here.

4. Individual Retirement Accounts (IRAs)

Isn’t retirement the ultimate long-term goal?  IRAs help you look towards your future by giving you access to a wider variety of investment choices without relying solely on your 401(k) or other employer plans.

  • Offers significant tax benefits. (We recommend that you speak with a tax consultant for more information on the benefits available to you).
  • Fixed interest rates and different terms help you maximize your retirement savings.

We offer three types of IRAs to help you diversify your options:

    • Contributory IRAs grow tax-deferred and contributions can be tax-deductible
    • Rollover IRAs are created by transferring your money from a 401(k) or other retirement accounts.
    • Roth IRAs grow your money tax-free because contributions are made with money you’ve already paid taxes on.

Learn more about the different types of Savings Accounts that we offer by visiting this page or calling to speak with one of our knowledgeable staff members. We will be here to help you evaluate your options and choose the best solution for your future. The way banking should be.

Savings Accounts