Safety

Are Electronic Signatures Safe to Use?

In today’s world, you’ve probably been asked to use an electronic signature for a job application, a car loan or even a home loan. New technology often yields new questions about safety and security. Here are some basics about electronic signatures to help you feel more comfortable with their usage:

Iowa State University Extension and Outreach of Kossuth County is partnering with Iowa State Bank to offer a webinar, “Online Financial Safety”, on Thursday, April 9, 2020. The webinar will be hosted via WebEx, and will begin at 12:00 noon.

The webinar will help participants to better protect their finances from fraud, by teaching how to instill good security practices for one’s home and financial life. “American’s have lost billions of dollars in recent... Read More

Gift cards can be a thoughtful and generous gift. Consumers spend more than $130 billion on gift cards per year, according to CEB TowerGroup. With that much money involved, these products make for a popular target for fraudsters -- especially during the holidays. Iowa State Bank wants to make sure consumers know how to spot such scams so they don't become a victim.

While community banks encourage consumers to shop their local businesses first, however sometimes a gift card is... Read More

According to the National Council on Aging, almost 90% of the financial abuse committed against older Americans is done by someone they know. More than ever, it is imperative for seniors to select a trustworthy person to properly manage their finances and personal affairs.

“Fraudsters often prey on seniors experiencing cognitive decline, limited mobility and other disabilities that require them to rely more heavily on others for help,” said Kristie Brown, Executive Vice President... Read More

A message from Patty Hammer, Operations Officer --

Vacation is a time to get away from it all, but tourists are a great target for thieves. Help prevent identity theft with these tips:

Scammers are playing on our emotions, and the generosity of grandparents. Grandkid scams are out there. Here's what to look for and how to protect yourself and the grandparent in your life:

If you're a grandparent, you could get a call that starts, "Hello, Grandma? I need money for bail." Or it could be some other kind of trouble. No matter the circumstance, the caller says it is urgent and the caller says to keep it a secret. "Don't tell my mom or dad."

Chances... Read More