Branch and ATM Locator | Customer Service

Online Security

How We Help Protect You

You've put your trust in us and we want to let you know how we're safekeeping your accounts and identity.

We're committed to keeping your accounts and personal information secure. Our goal is to help you protect yourself against fraud and identity theft. We have a number of safety measures in place to help protect you, including industry-standard technologies on our Web site and teams dedicated to fighting against fraud and identity theft. You can depend on us to safeguard your personal and financial information.

Online Security at Midwest Bank
Email Policy
Security Features: Our Product and Services
Our Security Policies and Processes.
Fraud
Quick Tips to Help Protect Yourself

Online Security at Midwest Bank

We realize that you, like many of our clients, rely on the Internet for your banking and financial needs. Some of the ways we ensure the online security of your personal and account information include:

Secure Transmissions and Encryption. When you use the Internet to conduct transactions or communicate with us, it's critical that your information is handled securely. We use an encryption protocol called Secure Socket Layer (SSL) to protect your personal information. SSL converts sensitive data like passwords and Personal Identification Numbers (PINs) into secure code and then sends them over a secure connection. Only Midwest Bank has the secret key that can decrypt your confidential information. You can tell your data is being protected when you see a URL that begins with “https” (as opposed to “http").

Also, when you use the secure contact forms and email in Online Banking, your data is transmitted securely.

Firewalls. Midwest Bank computer networks are protected by firewalls. Firewalls prevent any unauthorized access to our computers and are one of the key safeguards that protect your information. Every message that enters or leaves the Midwest Bank network passes through the firewall. The firewall blocks any message that does not meet our strict criteria.

Virus Protection. We use the latest antivirus software programs on our systems to help us keep our computer networks virus-free. By using these programs, we ensure that you can communicate and transact with us in a safe and secure manner.

Email Policy

Midwest Bank customer commitment. We will never send unsolicited emails asking clients to provide, update or verify personal or account information, such as passwords, Social Security numbers, PINs, credit or Debit Card numbers, or other confidential information.

At Midwest Bank, we have strict privacy policies in place. Midwest Bank will not trade, rent or sell your personal information - including email addresses - to anyone. We will not provide account or personal information to non-Midwest Bank companies for the purpose of independent telemarketing or direct mail marketing for non-financial products or services.

Third-Party Links. Midwest Bank may provide you with access to information, products or services offered on nonaffiliated Web sites through the use of hyperlinks. By clicking on these links, you are directed from our Web site to a third-party site. Midwest Bank cannot guarantee how third-party Web sites collect information about you. Midwest Bank makes no representations or warranties regarding non-Midwest Bank sites or the companies maintaining them. If you choose to access non-Midwest Bank Web sites through links on our Web pages, we encourage you to review the privacy and security polices on those sites before you provide them with any personal or financial information.

Security Features: Our Products and Services

Whether you bank online or offline, our products and services have many built-in features that help protect your accounts and identity. From Verified by Visa® and MasterCard® SecureCode to online security questions, we have a number of safeguards in place to help protect your confidential information.

Online Banking Security Features. At Midwest Bank, convenience and security go hand in hand. Some of our online banking security features include:

Automatic Sign Off. For your security, Midwest Bank Online Banking automatically ends your Online Banking session if there is no activity on your computer for 10 minutes. By automatically signing you out, the chances of unauthorized access to your accounts are minimized.

Unique User IDs and Passwords. Before you sign on to Online Banking, you need to enter a valid and unique Customer Identification Number (User ID) and Password. We recommend that your User ID and password use a combination of letters and numbers so that it's difficult to guess.

Security Questions. When you sign up for Online Banking, we ask you to create security questions as part of your account profile. These security questions add an extra level of security to help prevent unauthorized access to your accounts.

Online Banking Alerts. Online Banking Alerts provide a simple and easy way to access your Online Banking account information via email. In just seconds, you can set up your alert profile. You can also set up a daily balance alert, which will provide you with your available account balance. You can also be alerted if your available balance rises or falls to a certain level, or if your account is in overdrawn status.

Secure Email Correspondence. When you sign on to Online Banking, you are in a secure environment. This means that you can communicate with us via email safely and securely. To send us a secure email, visit Midwestbank.com, select the “Online Banking” link, and then sign in with your User ID and password.

Online Statements. Online Banking allows you to access up to 12 months of your statements online. Online statements give you the power to closely monitor your accounts and quickly stop suspicious activities. By receiving your statements online, you reduce the chances of someone stealing your statements from your mailbox.

Online Bill Pay. Online Banking offers a free service called Bill Pay that allows you to pay your bills securely and conveniently online. By paying your bills electronically, your personal and account information is securely transmitted, and you decrease the chances of someone stealing your payments from your mailbox.

Direct Deposit. With Direct Deposit, your paycheck, Social Security and Supplemental Security Income benefits, or any periodic income is securely and directly transferred into your Midwest Bank account.

Verified by Visa® and MasterCard® SecureCode are free services that protect your Midwest Bank Personal Credit and Debit Cards from unauthorized use when you shop online. By registering for each of these services, you will receive a unique password that offers an extra level of security when you use your cards on many shopping Web sites

Our Security Policies and Procedures

We use strict policies at Midwest Bank to protect your security. Some of the stringent processes we enforce to help protect your personal and account information include:

Protocols and Permissions. We realize that you expect high levels of customer service and security. That's why only an extremely limited number of Midwest Bank employees are given access to your information. Our strict protocols state that only employees who have prior permission, proper training, and the necessary credentials have the ability to see your finances and serve you.

Office and Branch Security. We have many branches to conveniently serve you. Each of these locations uses industry-standard security methods to protect our computers from unauthorized access. Our facilities are equipped with alarms and monitoring systems to restrict who has access to our facilities.

Fraud

At Midwest Bank, the protection of all your assets – including your identity – is our top priority. We have a number of safety measures in place to help protect you, including industry-standard technologies on our Web site and teams dedicated to fighting fraud and identity theft. You can depend on us to safeguard your personal and financial information.

We're committed to keeping your accounts safe from unauthorized access and your identity confidential. Be on the lookout for phishing emails that appear to come from Midwest Bank. These fraudulent emails may tell you to update or confirm your account information as a result of a security update, technology upgrade, or routine maintenance.

To learn more about how to protect yourself from fraud, read our Quick Tips to Help You Protect Yourself section below. For more information on our privacy policy, visit our Privacy section on this Midwest Bank Web site.

Midwest Bank Client Commitment: Midwest Bank will never send unsolicited emails asking clients to provide, update, or verify personal or account information, such as passwords, Social Security numbers, PINs, credit or Check Card numbers, or other confidential information.

Quick Tips to Help Protect Yourself

There are many proactive things you can do to help protect your accounts and help prevent fraud and identity theft. Here are tips to follow when you're online and offline.

Online Security
Online Banking
Shopping Online
Browsing the Internet
Email
Credit Card Security
ATM Security
Other Helpful Information

Help Protect Yourself from Becoming a Victim of Fraud or Identity Theft

Online Security

The Internet is a convenient way to access your accounts and communicate with Midwest Bank. By following these tips, you can enjoy a safe and secure online experience.

Keep passwords to yourself. Never share your passwords or PINs with anyone.
Memorize your passwords. Never write your passwords down.
Create difficult passwords. Be creative with your passwords. Stay away from obvious passwords like your zip code, year of birth, or sensitive information such as your mother's maiden name or your Social Security Number.
Change your password often. Change your passwords every 30 to 60 days.
Do not share your passwords. If you share your passwords, you've given that person or entity permission to access your personal and account information.

Online Banking

Stay at your computer once you sign on. Never leave your computer unattended while using any online banking or investing service.
Sign off when you're done. It's important to sign off completely when you are finished banking online. This is even more critical if you're using a computer that other people can access.
Use only secure sites. If you are providing financial information, be sure the site uses secure communications. One of the ways to determine if a site is secure is to look for the padlock icon usually located at the bottom of the web browser. If you double click on the icon, a pop-up window will appear with information about the Web site. The information in this window should match the Web site you're visiting.
Trust is important. Do business only with financial institutions that you know and trust.
Be on the lookout for suspicious Web sites. Watch out for copycat sites that may try to look like financial institutions or other trusted companies that you do business with. To make sure you're visiting a legitimate site, type the business' address directly into your browser, or use a bookmark that you previously created.
Verify that it's FDIC insured. If you're considering an online bank, verify the bank is legitimate and that its deposits are insured by the FDIC.
Use public computers with caution. Only access your personal financial information from a computer you trust. Internet kiosks and cyber cafes may not be as secure as your personal computer.

Shopping Online

Secure shopping. When placing orders online, check for the "closed padlock," which is usually located in the bottom corner of your browser. The padlock icon indicates that when you submit your information, it will be sent securely. If you double click on the icon, a window will appear with information about the Web site. The information in this window should match the Web site you're visiting.
Verified by Visa® and MasterCard® SecureCode are free services that protect your Midwest Bank Personal Credit and Debit Cards from unauthorized use when you shop online. By registering for each of these services, you will receive a unique password that offers an extra level of security when you use your cards on many shopping Web sites.
Trusted merchants. Only shop with online stores that you know and trust.

Browsing the Internet

Review site policies. Before entering any personal or financial information on a Web site, review the security and privacy policies posted on that site. These policies usually describe how the Web site collects and uses information about you. By knowing more about the policies of a site, you can decide if you want to continue visiting the site.
Keep your browser updated. Newer versions of Internet browsers have the latest safety features that protect your computer from dangerous programs like spyware and viruses. If you have an older version of a browser, make sure you install the latest versions on your computer.
Use caution when downloading. Some software downloads from the Internet can harm your computer and compromise your security. Do not download any software from Web sites you do not recognize or trust.
Keep anti-virus software up to date. By keeping anti-virus update to date, you can not only avoid viruses but help decrease the number of fraudulent emails and Web pages you might encounter.
Delete personal or financial information on public computers. If you use a public computer, someone else may be able to access your information or trace the Web sites you visited. To avoid this possibility, delete the cache memory on the computer to remove any traces of your visit. All Internet browsers have a "help" section that tells you how to delete the cache.
Beware of spyware. Spyware is software that tracks how you use your computer and which Web sites you visit. Spyware programs could get installed on your computer without your knowledge when you visit certain Web sites, open unsolicited emails, or click on links in emails.

Scammers also use "key-logging" programs that record what you type into your keyboard. If a key-logging program is installed on your computer, you could unknowingly reveal sensitive information like your PINs or passwords to scammers. You should consider buying and keeping current anti-spyware software to better help protect your confidential information. The software will help identify and delete any spyware or key-logging programs installed on your computer.

Email

Use secure messaging when it's available. Most Online Banking applications – including Midwest Bank Online Banking – have secure messaging. You can access secure email when you log into Online Banking. You can also securely communicate with the Bank through our secure contact forms. Secure emails and online forms ensure that your personal information is transmitted safely over the Internet.
Use caution when opening unsolicited emails and attachments. Viruses can be passed along via email and harm your computer. Be careful when opening emails – especially from someone you don't know. Also be careful when opening unexpected attachments from people you do know, as many viruses now replicate themselves by sending a message containing a copy of themselves as an attachment to each person in the affected person’s address book.
Don't click and tell. Never respond to unsolicited emails asking you to provide, update, or verify your personal and account information. These emails are scams. Midwest Bank will never send unsolicited emails asking for personal or account information, such as passwords, Social Security Numbers, PINs, credit or Debit Card numbers, or other confidential information.

Credit Card Security

Credit card fraud costs cardholders and banks hundreds of millions of dollars every year. Credit card fraud often occurs after the card is stolen. However, thieves can also fraudulently use your account number while your card sits safely in your wallet or purse. These tips will help you minimize the chances of credit card fraud:

Sign your cards. Sign your cards immediately once they arrive in the mail.
Store your PIN in a safe place. Memorize your PIN. Do not write it down.
Use your credit card number carefully. Don't enter your card number online unless you're on a secure site, and don't send your credit card number to anyone in an unsecured email.
Maintain your records. Keep a record of all your account numbers, expiration dates, and contact information for each issuer in a secure place. This will come in handy if your wallet or purse is lost or stolen.
Report a lost or stolen card immediately. If you act quickly, you will minimize the potential loss and liability to your accounts.
Save and match receipts. Save your receipts and compare them against your billing statements. When discarding receipts, tear them up or shred them so no one can access them in your trash.
Monitor your statements monthly. Make sure you recognize all charges on your financial statements. If you see any suspicious transactions, contact your bank or credit card issuer immediately.
Watch voided transactions. Keep a close watch on store credits and other cancelled transactions. Carefully review your receipts and statements and make sure voided transactions do not post to your account.
Destroy duplicates. Do not leave carbon copies of our receipts behind. Make sure you tear or shred the receipts when you discard them as they contain important information about your identity and accounts.
Carry only what's necessary. Only carry cards that you need, leaving others in a safe place at home.
Transact with only those you trust. Don't give out your account number unless you know and trust the company.

ATM Security

Here are some precautions to consider when using an ATM:

Avoid going to the ATM alone at night. If you do need to access your accounts after dark, make sure the ATM and parking lot are well lit.
Don't use an ATM if you notice any suspicious activity. It is important to be aware of your surroundings at all times. If you notice suspicious activity, find another ATM or come back at a later time. Immediately report any suspicious activity to the police.
Don't count your money at the ATM. Wait until you are in your car or, even better, safely at home.
Keep your car running. When using a drive-up ATM, keep your doors locked, passenger windows rolled up, and the car running.
Prepare ahead of time. Fill out all deposit slips before you reach the ATM.

Other Helpful Information

Don't ignore collection calls for loans that you do not have. If you don't have a loan with a creditor, an identity thief may have used your name and personal information and failed to make payments.
Don't ignore address change notifications. If you receive a notice and you didn't change your address, call the bank immediately. This may be an attempt to take over your account and divert statements.
Notify the bank if you do not receive a statement or bill on time to make sure the address has not been changed or your bill has not been stolen from the mail.
Keep your address and telephone number information current with all your creditors, even if you don't have a balance. This will enable us to reach you quickly if there is an unauthorized attempt to obtain credit in your name.
Keep your daytime contact information current on your credit bureau fraud victim statements. This will enable us to reach you to confirm that a credit application is authorized.
Accept and return calls from the bank as soon as possible, regarding questions about your recent loan application or a check that you wrote. Doing so will assist us greatly in making sure that we do not return an authorized check and do not pay an unauthorized check.
Visit the Federal Trade Commission’s web site at www.ftc.gov, or click on the following link to read more information about preventing ID theft http://www.ftc.gov/bcp/edu/pubs/consumer/idtheft/idt04.pdf
Click here to download a copy of our "PHISHING - What is it and what can you do to protect yourself and your loved ones" brochure.