Online Banking Security

Safety tips and strategies for online banking

We are dedicated to ensuring that your accounts remain secure and that your personal information remains private. Our policies governing online banking are enhanced to further protect your sensitive account information.

A primer on passwords

All online banking passwords must:

• Be between 10 and 16 characters
• Have at least one letter character and at least one numeric character
• Never share username and password information.
• Prohibit the use of “shared” usernames and passwords for online banking systems.
• Use a different password for each website that is accessed, and change the password a few times a year.
• Avoid using the automatic login features that save usernames and passwords for online banking.
• Passwords do not expire, but you have the option to update your password to increase your online safety.

If you wish to change your Online Banking ID, please call the bank at 1.877.759.7939 and request assistance.

Other tips for online security

• Install commercial anti-virus and desktop firewall software on all computer systems. Free software may not provide protection against the latest threats compared with an industry-standard product.
• Ensure virus protection and security software are updated regularly.
• Never access bank information at Internet cafes, public libraries, etc. Unauthorized software may have been installed to trap account numbers and sign-on information, leaving you vulnerable to fraud.
• Immediately report any suspicious transactions to the bank, particularly ACH or wire transfers. There is a limited recovery window for these transactions and immediate escalation may prevent further loss.
• Be suspicious of emails claiming to be from a financial institution, government department, or agency that requests account information or banking access credentials, such as usernames, passwords, PIN codes and similar information.
• Opening file attachments or clicking on web links in suspicious emails could expose the system to malicious code that could hijack your computer.

If you are a victim of fraud:

• Immediately cease all activity on computer systems that may be compromised. Unplug the Ethernet or cable modem connections to isolate the system from remote access.
• Contact Vallant Bank so that the following actions may be taken as a priority to contain the incident:
  • Online access to the account(s) is disabled.
  • Online banking passwords have changed.
  • New account(s) opened if necessary.
  • Review all recent transactions and electronic authorizations on the account.

Vallant Bank will never send you an email requesting confidential information.

If at any time you have any questions, comments or concerns about online banking, please feel free to contact us at 1.877.759.7939 or email customerservice@vallant.bank.