COVID-19 Update

One of our highest priorities continues to be the health of our staff, customers, and the well-being of the communities we serve.

We're still here, open for business, and continue to provide the banking services that you've come to know and expect. We're providing them in alternative ways due to the ongoing risks and concern surrounding the Coronavirus. We continue to monitor the ever-changing news and recommendations about the virus, and one thing remains true: we continue to get through this together!

You can contact your local branch by dialing:
Telfair (Downtown): 912-629-2900
Hodgson: 912-629-2920
Pooler: 912-629-2940
Wilmington Island: 912-629-2950
Rincon: 912-826-5800
Richmond Hill: 912-756-8771
Brunswick: 912-554-2265

As always, we enjoy seeing you; however, we fully understand the ongoing recommendations for social distancing. If you are feeling ill, or are practicing social distancing, below are several ways you can access your account with FCB rather than visiting our branches:

ATMs – access free cash withdrawals at any of our 22 local ATMs and over 1100 Publix/Presto! ATMs

Telephone Banking - 24/7 telephone banking (1-866-802-0649)

Online & Mobile Banking: You can access your account on your mobile device through our mobile banking app or computer through a web browser (www.firstchatham.com)

We continue to pray for peace, protection, and wellness for you and your family during these unique and stressful times.

Please continue to check our website and social media pages for any updates that may become necessary.

Holiday Reminders for Cardholders

It is the Holiday season and that means as more people are out and about shopping and traveling, fraud will be on the rise! Because technology has created many more options for cardholders to access accounts and make purchases, fraud has also been opened up to more sophisticated avenues. With the holiday season in full swing, it is good to remind and/or educate our cardholders about potential fraud schemes. Likewise, keep in mind that fraudsters often impersonate cardholders to request a change in contact information, limit increase, or travel exemptions to lower the fraud defenses.

Below are several types of fraud methods that may be seen at any time of the year, but especially during the holidays:

• Skimming- This uses electronic devices to scan and store credit and debit card numbers and PINS. ATMS and some unattended terminals, such as gas station pumps, are targets for this method. The information stolen by this method can then be sold to fraudsters or used to commit theft directly. Fraudsters can use the numbers and other information to make online purchases or to create fake cards for in-store transactions.

• Phishing- This is a fraudulent practice of sending emails purporting to be from a reputable company in order to induce individuals to reveal personal information, such as passwords and credit card numbers.

• SMiShing (SMS phishing)- This is the act of attempting to acquire personal information such as passwords and details by masquerading as a trustworthy entity through SMS text messages on cell phones. SMiShing messages may come from telephone numbers that are in a strange or unexpected format with links directing to fake websites
  • A typical SMiShing occurrence can begin with a cardholder receiving a text message inquiring about a suspicious transaction on an account. In reality, the fraudster is looking to obtain other information from cardholders such as debit/credit card numbers, expiration dates, and PINS, along with any other information.

• Vishing- This is the telephone equivalent of phishing (see explanation above). It is described as the act of using the telephone to scam the user into surrendering private information that will be used for fraudulent purchases or identity theft.

Some holiday scams cardholders may see:

1. Travel Scams- Beware of deals that are too good to be true. Cardholders should know who they are booking any travel through
2. Charity Scams- A legitimate charity will welcome donations whenever the cardholder chooses to make it. A fraudster will pressure them to make it immediately. Do not make donations with gift cards or wire transfers
3. Account Takeover- All user information is targeted in data breaches, not just payment card information.

 

Before you travel internationally, update your Visa® Debit Card!

When traveling internationally, please notify us at least one day prior to your departure, to help prevent interrupted service with your FCB Visa® Debit Card. Notifying FCB will ensure your purchases are not blocked by our fraud monitoring system. Without notification of your travel, we may block usage of your Visa® Debit Card when transactions are identified outside your normal spending habits or in blocked countries. Please contact one of our local branch managers to ensure uninterrupted service on your FCB Visa® Debit Card.

DON’T BE A VICTIM!

Please Read this Important Alert.
First Chatham Bank’s web page should never be accessed from a link provided by a third party. It should only be accessed by typing the Web site name or address in the Web browser or by using a “book mark” that directs the Web browser to First Chatham’s website. A financial institution should not, and First Chatham Bank will not, send email messages to you that request confidential information such as account numbers, passwords, PIN numbers, social security numbers, date of birth, etc. Never respond to any such request, no matter how authentic it looks, and report such an incident to the bank.

To read more about fraudulent schemes and identity theft, please refer to the following websites provided by the Federal Trade Commission (FTC):

http://www.ftc.gov/bcp/edu/pubs/consumer/general/gen22.shtm - “10  Ways to Avoid Fraud” and
http://www.ftc.gov/bcp/edu/pubs/consumer/idtheft/idt01.shtm - “Identity Theft: What to Know, What to Do"

Fake Check Scam – In a nutshell, if anyone you don’t know tries to pay you for something by check and wants you to wire money back, or wants to send you a check and asks that you to wire funds back, it is a SCAM! There is no legitimate reason for someone who is giving you money to ask you to wire it back.