Updated Security for Online Banking
Tri Counties Bank is focused on protecting your personal and account information
at all times. As instances of internet fraud increase, it is no longer sufficient
to use only a Signon ID and Password to access online banking. We have implemented
additional security features which allow us to better protect your information online.
These additional security features will serve to better safeguard your privacy and security.
Part of our enhanced security requires you to establish security questions which
will be used later to authenticate your identity. This security enhancement is for
your protection and will take a few minutes to complete.
Tri Counties Bank Multifactor Authentication: What to expect
Over the next few months, Tri Counties Bank will be upgrading the security features of
our online banking. This process will require users to establish security questions which
will be used in conjunction with automated security processes. This one time set up will
take a few short minutes.
After multifactor authentication has been added to your online banking enrollment, you
will be presented with a series of security questions the next time you sign in to your
account. This one time setup will establish questions that will be used later to
authenticate your identity. The online banking system has been designed to use these
questions at various times based on your typical online banking activity.
You may be asked to answer security questions if:
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You login from an unrecognized computer
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You login at a time that is inconsistent with past usage
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You delete the cookies from your internet browser
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You select the “Forgot your Password” link to login
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The online banking system is unable to determine the source of your login
Looking for more information?
Frequently Asked Questions
Internet Banking Security Tips
Browser Compatibility
1.) What is Multifactor Authentication?
Multifactor Authentication is the process of using multiple methods of
identifying information to establish the identity of our existing customers.
As instances of internet fraud increase, it is no longer sufficient to use
only a Signon ID and Password to access online banking. This additional
feature will serve to better safeguard your privacy and security.
2.) Why is the Bank requiring I answer additional Security Questions?
Tri Counties Bank is focused on protecting your personal and account information
at all times. As instances of internet fraud increase, it is no longer sufficient
to use only a Signon ID and Password to access online banking. We have implemented
additional security features which allow us to better protect your information online.
Part of our enhanced security process requires you to establish security
questions which may be used later to authenticate your identity. This
enhancement is for your protection and should take only a few minutes to complete.
3.) Do I need to establish Security Questions to access online banking?
Yes. Recent Federal guidelines require that we obtain two forms of identification
before allowing our customers to view account information on our website. It is no
longer sufficient to use only a Signon ID and password. This additional feature
will serve to better safeguard your privacy and security.
4.) I cannot remember the answer to my security question. What should I do?
If you are unable to Signon to Online Banking because you have forgotten the answer
to a security question, please contact us at 1-800-922-8742 and we will reset the questions.
After signing in to online banking, you may change your security questions at any time
from the “My Preferences” tab.
5.) Who has access to the answers to my security questions?
Your security questions and answers will be encrypted and stored at the time they are
submitted. The answers are not accessible to anyone, including Tri Counties Bank employees.
6.) What if I choose not to complete the security questions?
If you choose not to complete the security questions, you will not have access to online banking.
7.) When will I be asked to answer Security Questions?
You may be required to answer a security question at various times based upon your typical
online banking activity. For example, you may be asked to answer a security question when
accessing the system from a different computer or if you access the system at a time that
is inconsistent with your previously established usage. You may also be asked a security
question after deleting the cookies in your web browser.
8.) I answered security questions in the past, why must I answer them again?
The online banking system uses security questions to validate your identity when
you select the “Forgot your password?” link. These questions would have been answered
when you first logged into the online banking system. There are additional questions
required for multifactor authentication. Completing the security questions will update
the system for both multifactor authentication and the forgotten password link.
9.) How do I change my security questions/answers?
After signing in to online banking, you may change your security questions at any
time from the “My Preferences” tab. Select “Change Security Questions Answers.”
10.) Why am I required to answer a security question every time I sign on to online banking?
The Online Banking system has been designed to use cookies as part of the authentication
process. Deleting the cookies from your web browser will prevent the system from recognizing
your computer and result in a security question being presented. If you regularly delete
your web browser cookies, you may be required to answer a challenge question at each login.
The system may also require a security question be answered if you are accessing online
from a different computer or if the login seems unusual in any way. This could include
logging in a time that is not consistent with your previously established usage.
11.) What if I delete the cookies from my Web browser?
The Online Banking system has been designed to use cookies as part of the authentication
process. Deleting the cookies from your web browser will prevent the system from recognizing
your computer and result in a security question being presented. If you regularly delete your
web browser cookies, you may be required to answer a challenge question at each login.
12.) What are cookies?
Cookies are small text files on your system, used for keeping track of settings or data for
a particular Web site. The servers that receive your requests for Web pages have no way of
knowing specifically who is making a request. They have no way of storing settings for
specific users or changing the page they send based on choices a user has made on another page.
Cookies solve this problem by saving settings on your (the user's) system. When your browser
requests a page, it sends the settings that apply to that page along with the request. Your
browser will send back only the settings to the server that originally created them. Cookies
are a very secure way of maintaining data that is specific to a particular user.
13.) Who do I call if I have technical difficulties logging in to my account?
If you have any trouble getting logged into your online banking please call us at 800-922-8742.
For more information on protecting your information, call our customer service at 800-922-8742
Monday-Friday 7:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m., Saturday 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., and Sunday 11:00 a.m. to
5:00 p.m.; or send us a secure message from within your online banking register.
1.) Protect your Signon ID and Password
- Avoid writing your Signon ID or password down
- Avoid predictable passwords that could be guessed by others
- Do not share your password with anyone else
- Include both letters and numbers in your password
- Change your password regularly
- Avoid software which stores your password
- Use extra caution when using a public or network computer
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Be certain you are only entering it on valid Tri Counties Bank login pages;
www.tcbk.com or online.tcbk.com.
2.) Check the security of your computer
- Install antivirus software and keep it up to date
- Use a firewall. This can protect against potential hackers and prevent access to questionable connections
- Use antispyware. Often bundled with antivirus software, this can prevent your activities from being monitored and keep your browser from improperly directing you to an unintended site
- If using a wireless connection, follow the manufacturers security instructions to be sure you are secured against intruders.
3.) Be alert to common internet scams
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Phishing is an internet scam involves an email that appears to be from a
legitimate company, bank, or government agency. The emails typically warn of a potential
problem with your account and request that you follow a link and provide personal or
account information to update your information. You should not reply to these emails,
open any attachments, or follow any of the links provided. If you believe an email to
be legitimate, you should contact the company using the contact information or URL
provided in a printed statement.
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Pharming is a type of fraud that involves redirection from a legitimate site
to a site that appears to be legitimate, but has been created by fraudsters in an
attempt to gain your personal or account information.
4.) Promptly open mail from Tri Counties Bank
- Promptly review your bank statements to ensure your account activity is correct
- Notify the bank immediately if any errors are detected on your statement
- Securely store or destroy bank statements, receipts, and unused credit card offers
- Be alert to missing mail (credit card bills, utility bills, statements, etc.)
- Do not mail bills from a location where your mail could be easily removed
5.) Use the Secure Message feature within your online banking
- Contact Tri Counties Bank using secure messages rather than email
- Standard email is not secure. Avoid including any personal or account information when using standard email.
6.) More on email
- Tri Counties Bank may send an email notice or alert; however
- We will never request you to provide any personal or account information via email.
- We will never ask for your Signon ID or Password in an email
- You should never send personal or account information via email
7.) Review your credit report
- Checking your credit report regularly can alert you to any unauthorized activity.
- You can obtain one credit report each year from each of the three credit reporting agencies
- Visit www.annualcreditreport.com or call 877-322-8228 or contact the agency directly for additional reports using the numbers listed below.
Equifax: 800-685-1111
Experian: 888-397-3742
TransUnion: 800-916-8800
