Rates  |  Financial Calculators  |  Locations & Hours  |  Order Checks  | 
50 State Quarters  |  Identity Theft  | Credit Tips | ATM Surcharging

Guard yourself against Identity Theft

The Federal Trade Commission released a survey showing that 27.3 million Americans have been victims of identity theft in the last 5 years, including 9.9 million in the last year alone. Identity theft can be very costly to you and it can occur for months without your knowledge, damaging your good credit rating.

At Iowa State Bank, we take particular care to protect you and your privacy by keeping your financial matters confidential.

• We do not disclose non-public, private information about our customer base unless permitted by law.
• Access to your personal information and account information is limited to employees who need to know that information only to provide a product or service to you.
• We have strict policies and procedures in place to determine the identity of our customers and new customers when opening accounts.
• We maintain digital records of your signature in order to confirm your identity for large cash withdrawals or any suspicious transactions.
• You can stop by any branch location and pick up a free brochure on identity theft.
• If you are a victim of identity theft, contact Iowa State Bank immediately. We can take you through the necessary steps to protect you from further loss.

Be proactive. Below are steps that you can take to help protect yourself from becoming a victim of identity theft.

1. Read your bank statements thoroughly and report any errors immediately. Save all your receipts and match them against your monthly statement.
2. Contact the bank if you are not receiving your bank statements.
3. Safeguard your personal information. Shred all records containing personal information. Keep track of all your paperwork. When you no longer need it, shred it. Handling your personal information responsibly is the best deterrent for identity thieves.
4. Never leave receipts at bank machines, bank counters or trash receptacles.
5. Never give your bank account information over the phone unless you initiate the call and can trust the business. Release this information only when necessary.
6. Do not disclose your social security number on your personal checks.
7. Memorize your PIN’s, passwords and Social Security number. Do not record them on any cards or on anything you carry in your wallet or purse.
8. To minimize the amount of information a thief can steal, limit the personal information that is in your wallet or purse to the items that are necessary.
9. Consider getting an “assigned” driver’s license number instead of your social security number.
10. Promptly remove mail from your mailbox after delivery.
11. Obtain your credit report on an annual basis to verify the accuracy of the information that’s reported. Our bank personnel are available to help you interpret the data on your report.

Click Here for more information on identity theft.

SAFETY TIPS for your SHAZAMChek Debit Card and ATM Card

It’s also smart to be cautious when you use your ATM or Debit Card. For your own safety, be careful. Following these safeguards may be helpful.

Approaching the Automated Teller Machine (ATM)

• When you make a transaction, be aware of your surroundings. Look out for suspicious activity near the ATM, particularly if it is after sunset. At night, be sure that the facility is well lighted. If you observe any problem, go to another machine.
• Have your card ready. Prepare your transactions at home to minimize your time at the ATM.
• Keep your doors locked and all passenger windows closed if you are using a drive-up ATM.

Using the ATM

• Block the view of others as you enter your Personal Identification Number (PIN), using your body to shield their view.
• Do not display your cash; pocket it immediately. Count your cash later when you are in a secure surrounding.
• Do not leave your card, your cash or any documents at the facility.
• Do not accept assistance from a stranger when using an ATM.
• Mark each transaction in your account record, but not while at the ATM.

Preventing Fraud

• Memorize your PIN. Never write your PIN on your card or anything that you carry near your card.
• Protect the secrecy of your PIN. Do not tell anyone your PIN. Never give your PIN over the phone, especially cell phones.
• Protect your card as though it were cash. Do not loan your card to anyone.
• Report lost or stolen cards immediately. Call us at 288-0111 during regular business hours and we can change the status of the card. You can be liable for activity on your card if you do not report it lost or stolen.
• Always save your receipts, do not leave them at the ATM facility because they may contain important account information. Compare your records with the account statements you receive.

Card Maintenance

• Do not expose the magnetic strip to other magnetic objects, which can deactivate your card.