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		<title>First State Bank - FSB Blog</title>
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		<description>First State Bank</description>
		<language>en-US</language>
		<pubDate>Wed, 10 Jun 2026 00:43:07 +0000</pubDate>
		<lastBuildDate>Wed, 10 Jun 2026 00:43:07 +0000</lastBuildDate>
		<copyright>Copyright 2026 First State Bank. All Rights Reserved.</copyright>
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				<title>U.S. State Department Issues Warning on Passport Renewal Travel Risks</title>
				<link>https://www.fsbwc.com/fsb-blog/2026/02/17/us-state-department-issues-warning-on-passport-renewal-travel-risks</link>
				<guid>https://www.fsbwc.com/fsb-blog/2026/02/17/us-state-department-issues-warning-on-passport-renewal-travel-risks</guid>
				<pubDate>Tue, 17 Feb 2026 08:22:00 +0000</pubDate>
				<description>&lt;p&gt;The U.S. State Department issued a clear warning to American travelers who are in the midst of renewing their passports. In a recent&amp;nbsp;Facebook post, the department explained that old passports &amp;quot;will be automatically canceled&amp;quot; and &amp;quot;cannot be used for international travel.&amp;quot; This statement holds true, even if one&amp;#39;s new passport has not yet arrived in the mail.&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;While this is how the passport renewal application system has always worked, it can often catch people off guard. For instance, just this month, an&amp;nbsp;American traveler was stuck in a confusing passport limbo on the way to Canada&amp;nbsp;after they had just applied to have theirs renewed. And they&amp;rsquo;re not alone. Many travelers have shared similar stories online, where they&amp;rsquo;ve started the passport renewal process, only to find that it impedes their upcoming international trip despite their current passport still being valid.&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;The State Department&amp;#39;s Warning Holds True: U.S. Passport Holders Face International Travel Issues After Applying for A New Passport&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;The State Department&amp;#39;s post about passports being canceled during renewal warns: &amp;quot;When you renew your U.S. passport through Online Passport Renewal you do NOT need to mail in your old passport, BUT remember that your old passport will be automatically cancelled and CANNOT be used for international travel (even before your new one arrives).&amp;quot; Despite this information being communicated clearly, some travelers still find themselves stuck in the void between their old and new passports.&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;For those who are unaware of how U.S. passport renewal works, discovering that their old passport is canceled, regardless of the expiry date, can be quite the shock, especially if they have an upcoming trip already booked.&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;For travelers who find themselves in these kinds of binds, not all hope is lost. They may be able to rectify the situation by calling the National Passport Information Center.&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;How U.S. Passport Renewal Works and Why Travelers&amp;#39; Old Passport Will Be Canceled&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;U.S citizens looking to renew their passports have a few options. They can renew online (this allows applicants to keep their old passport as a memento), renew by mail with a DS-82 form, or renew in person. Regardless of the method chosen, an old passport will be canceled and cannot be used for international travel. This is further expressed in the State Department&amp;rsquo;s Facebook post.&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;These rules are in place to prevent potential fraud. It&amp;rsquo;s similar to when someone&amp;#39;s passport is lost or stolen; in both cases, the&amp;nbsp;U.S. State Department&amp;nbsp;says, &amp;quot;A United States citizen or non-citizen national may not normally have more than one valid or potentially valid U.S. passport book or more than one valid or potentially valid U.S. passport card at a time.&amp;quot;&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;Though it&amp;rsquo;s important to note that the old passport, if it has not yet expired and is still in the owner&amp;#39;s possession, can be used for domestic travel.&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;What To Do If You Need to Travel Internationally Before Your New Passport Arrives&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;So, what if a traveler has already submitted an online passport renewal, and they have an international trip coming up? In these urgent travel cases, when an international trip is booked within 14 days, it&amp;rsquo;s advised to call the&amp;nbsp;National Passport Information Center&amp;nbsp;(1-877-487-2778).&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;Here, travelers can request an in-person appointment where they may be able to expedite the renewal process. They should be sure to have either their application number or their last name and date of birth ready for the call. Also, they should be prepared to pay a few fees. The FAQ section on&amp;nbsp;&lt;a href=&quot;https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/passports/passport-help/faqs.html&quot; target=&quot;_blank&quot;&gt;Travel.State.Gov&lt;/a&gt;&amp;nbsp;notes that expedited services cost $60, while 1&amp;ndash;3-day delivery can cost $22.05.&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;hr /&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Source:&amp;nbsp; &lt;a href=&quot;https://www.thetravel.com/us-state-department-issues-warning-about-canceled-passports-us-passport-renewal-application/?utm_source=flipboard&amp;amp;utm_content=topic/travel&quot;&gt;U.S. State Department Issues Stern Warning That Passports &amp;quot;Will Be Automatically Canceled&amp;quot; And &amp;quot;Cannot Be Used For International Travel&amp;quot; During Renewals&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
</description>
				<author>marketing@fsbwc.com (First State Bank)</author>
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				<title>Save in the New Year</title>
				<link>https://www.fsbwc.com/fsb-blog/2026/01/12/save-in-the-new-year</link>
				<guid>https://www.fsbwc.com/fsb-blog/2026/01/12/save-in-the-new-year</guid>
				<pubDate>Mon, 12 Jan 2026 08:00:00 +0000</pubDate>
				<description>&lt;p style=&quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: &amp;quot;Times New Roman&amp;quot;; font-size: medium; font-style: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; white-space: normal; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial;&quot;&gt;As the calendar flips forward, many people take the opportunity to assess where they&amp;rsquo;ve been and set fresh goals for the new year. According to Motley Fool Money, more than half of Americans say they want to set a financial plan for 2026, but only two in five think they&amp;rsquo;ll actually stick to it. Shake up your savings methods with these nontraditional strategies in the new year.&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p style=&quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: &amp;quot;Times New Roman&amp;quot;; font-size: medium; font-style: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; white-space: normal; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial;&quot;&gt;&lt;strong&gt;1. Don&amp;rsquo;t buy anything new for an entire month.&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p style=&quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: &amp;quot;Times New Roman&amp;quot;; font-size: medium; font-style: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; white-space: normal; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial;&quot;&gt;In an age of same-day delivery and social media ads selling the hottest new product, challenge yourself to go 30 days without buying anything brand new. You can still buy the essentials &amp;ndash; but for everything else try buying secondhand, borrowing from a friend, or repairing something you already have. This challenge not only saves you money, but it also reduces clutter and waste.&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p style=&quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: &amp;quot;Times New Roman&amp;quot;; font-size: medium; font-style: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; white-space: normal; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial;&quot;&gt;&lt;strong&gt;2. Designate &amp;ldquo;cash-only&amp;rdquo; weekends.&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p style=&quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: &amp;quot;Times New Roman&amp;quot;; font-size: medium; font-style: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; white-space: normal; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial;&quot;&gt;The physical act of handing over cash helps to visualize how much money you&amp;rsquo;re really spending. Weekends are often a time of higher spending, so switching out swipes for cash can make a noticeable difference.&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p style=&quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: &amp;quot;Times New Roman&amp;quot;; font-size: medium; font-style: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; white-space: normal; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial;&quot;&gt;&lt;strong&gt;3. Try reverse budgeting.&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p style=&quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: &amp;quot;Times New Roman&amp;quot;; font-size: medium; font-style: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; white-space: normal; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial;&quot;&gt;Set an automatic transfer to yourself on payday. It&amp;#39;s like putting your savings on autopilot &amp;ndash; you decide how much you want to transfer to savings, the money automatically transfers, then budget how you want to spend the rest. Try setting a percentage for how much is transferred each month or a specific dollar amount if you&amp;rsquo;re saving for a big trip or purchase.&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p style=&quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: &amp;quot;Times New Roman&amp;quot;; font-size: medium; font-style: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; white-space: normal; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial;&quot;&gt;&lt;strong&gt;4. Create a &amp;ldquo;buy it later&amp;rdquo; list.&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p style=&quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: &amp;quot;Times New Roman&amp;quot;; font-size: medium; font-style: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; white-space: normal; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial;&quot;&gt;See something you really want to buy? Put it on a 72-hour &amp;ldquo;buy it later&amp;rdquo; list to make sure it&amp;rsquo;s an item that is necessary. Oftentimes, holding off on impulse purchases helps you stay in line with financial goals and helps to avoid buyer&amp;rsquo;s regret and waste.&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p style=&quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: &amp;quot;Times New Roman&amp;quot;; font-size: medium; font-style: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; white-space: normal; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial;&quot;&gt;Saving money in the new year doesn&amp;rsquo;t have to feel rigid or overwhelming. Switch it up and implement one or two of these unique savings tips to take small steps toward big goals.&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p style=&quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: &amp;quot;Times New Roman&amp;quot;; font-size: medium; font-style: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; white-space: normal; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial;&quot;&gt;For more financial tips, contact First State Bank at 515-832-2520.&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;
</description>
				<author>KimP@fsbwc.com (First State Bank)</author>
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				<title>Beware of Imposter Scams</title>
				<link>https://www.fsbwc.com/fsb-blog/2025/10/14/beware-of-imposter-scams</link>
				<guid>https://www.fsbwc.com/fsb-blog/2025/10/14/beware-of-imposter-scams</guid>
				<pubDate>Tue, 14 Oct 2025 08:00:00 +0000</pubDate>
				<description>&lt;p&gt;Did someone&amp;nbsp;supposedly&amp;nbsp;spot fraud or criminal activity on one of your accounts? Did they offer to help &amp;ldquo;protect&amp;rdquo; your money by moving it from your bank, investment, or retirement account? Maybe they even asked you to share a verification code? If anyone did any of those things, it&amp;rsquo;s always a scam. So, what do you do next?&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Never move or transfer your money to &amp;ldquo;protect it.&amp;rdquo;&lt;/strong&gt;&amp;nbsp;Your money is fine where it is, no matter what they say or how urgently they say it. Someone who says you have to move your money to protect it is a scammer. Period.&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Never share a verification code. Ever&lt;/strong&gt;. Banks and retirement and investment companies use these codes for online accounts to prove you&amp;rsquo;re really you. If you share that code, the scammer can use it to prove&amp;nbsp;they&amp;rsquo;re&amp;nbsp;you. No caller &amp;mdash; especially someone from your bank or investment company&amp;rsquo;s fraud department &amp;mdash; will ever ask for the verification code. That&amp;rsquo;s always a scam.&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Stop and check it out.&lt;/strong&gt;&amp;nbsp;If you&amp;rsquo;re worried, call your real bank, broker, or investment advisor. Use the number you find on your statement &amp;mdash; never the number the caller gave you, which will take you to the scammer.&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;If you get a call, text, or message like this, tell your bank right away. Especially if you moved money or shared a verification code. Then tell the FTC:&amp;nbsp;&lt;a href=&quot;http://www.reportfraud.ftc.gov/&quot;&gt;ReportFraud.ftc.gov&lt;/a&gt;.&amp;nbsp; Now that you know, share this advice &amp;mdash; it could help protect your buddies and their life savings.&lt;/p&gt;
</description>
				<author>marketing@fsbwc.com (First State Bank)</author>
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				<title>Keeping Deposits Local: Why It Matters</title>
				<link>https://www.fsbwc.com/fsb-blog/2025/08/21/keeping-deposits-local-in-your-rural-hometown-bank-matters</link>
				<guid>https://www.fsbwc.com/fsb-blog/2025/08/21/keeping-deposits-local-in-your-rural-hometown-bank-matters</guid>
				<pubDate>Thu, 21 Aug 2025 10:55:20 +0000</pubDate>
				<description>&lt;p data-end=&quot;474&quot; data-start=&quot;198&quot;&gt;When you choose to bank locally, you&amp;rsquo;re doing more than managing your money&amp;mdash;you&amp;rsquo;re investing in the heartbeat of your community. Every deposit you make at your hometown bank fuels opportunity, growth, and stability right where you live. Here&amp;rsquo;s why it matters more than ever:&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;hr data-end=&quot;479&quot; data-start=&quot;476&quot; /&gt;
&lt;h3 data-end=&quot;522&quot; data-start=&quot;481&quot;&gt;1. Local Deposits Fuel Local Lending&lt;/h3&gt;

&lt;p data-end=&quot;870&quot; data-start=&quot;523&quot;&gt;When you deposit money in your rural bank, those dollars don&amp;rsquo;t disappear into distant markets. Instead, they&amp;rsquo;re reinvested directly back into your community. That means farmers can plant their crops, small businesses can expand, local entrepreneurs can launch new ideas, and families can buy homes&amp;mdash;all because local deposits keep credit flowing.&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;hr data-end=&quot;875&quot; data-start=&quot;872&quot; /&gt;
&lt;h3 data-end=&quot;907&quot; data-start=&quot;877&quot;&gt;2. Support for Farm Loans&lt;/h3&gt;

&lt;p data-end=&quot;1277&quot; data-start=&quot;908&quot;&gt;Agriculture is the backbone of rural America, and local banks understand that better than anyone. Unlike big national banks, hometown banks specialize in agricultural lending. Your deposits give them the liquidity to fund seasonal operations, land purchases, equipment upgrades, and other farm-related needs. In short, local banking keeps family farms running strong.&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;hr data-end=&quot;1282&quot; data-start=&quot;1279&quot; /&gt;
&lt;h3 data-end=&quot;1338&quot; data-start=&quot;1284&quot;&gt;3. Strengthening Small Businesses and Main Street&lt;/h3&gt;

&lt;p data-end=&quot;1719&quot; data-start=&quot;1339&quot;&gt;Local businesses don&amp;rsquo;t thrive on rigid algorithms or cookie-cutter lending policies. They depend on relationship-based lending from bankers who know the borrower, the business, and the town&amp;rsquo;s economy. By keeping your money local, you give your bank the ability to say &amp;ldquo;yes&amp;rdquo; to the coffee shop on Main Street, the mechanic down the road, or the young entrepreneur starting fresh.&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;hr data-end=&quot;1724&quot; data-start=&quot;1721&quot; /&gt;
&lt;h3 data-end=&quot;1774&quot; data-start=&quot;1726&quot;&gt;4. Accessible Home Loans for Local Families&lt;/h3&gt;

&lt;p data-end=&quot;2073&quot; data-start=&quot;1775&quot;&gt;Rural housing markets can be tricky, but local banks understand the realities of appraisals, affordability, and neighborhood value. With community deposits, hometown banks can offer more flexible mortgages, helping families put down roots and ensuring houses turn into homes&amp;mdash;not just investments.&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;hr data-end=&quot;2078&quot; data-start=&quot;2075&quot; /&gt;
&lt;h3 data-end=&quot;2126&quot; data-start=&quot;2080&quot;&gt;5. Stability Through Community Investment&lt;/h3&gt;

&lt;p data-end=&quot;2378&quot; data-start=&quot;2127&quot;&gt;When local banks do well, the whole community benefits. Profits are reinvested into local schools, charities, events, and infrastructure. This creates a multiplier effect, strengthening not just the economy but also the quality of life for everyone.&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;hr data-end=&quot;2383&quot; data-start=&quot;2380&quot; /&gt;
&lt;h2 data-end=&quot;2429&quot; data-start=&quot;2385&quot;&gt;The Consequences of Moving Deposits Away&lt;/h2&gt;

&lt;p data-end=&quot;2559&quot; data-start=&quot;2431&quot;&gt;When deposits flow to large national banks or faceless online platforms, the impact on rural communities is real&amp;mdash;and damaging.&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;h3&gt;1. Capital Flight Drains the Community&lt;/h3&gt;

&lt;p data-end=&quot;2762&quot; data-start=&quot;2606&quot;&gt;Money that could fund your neighbor&amp;rsquo;s farm or a new small business instead gets invested in distant cities or global markets. Your town loses the benefit.&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;h3 data-end=&quot;2800&quot; data-start=&quot;2764&quot;&gt;2. Less Credit for Local Needs&lt;/h3&gt;

&lt;p data-end=&quot;3007&quot; data-start=&quot;2801&quot;&gt;Without deposits, your community bank simply can&amp;rsquo;t make as many loans. Farmers may face delays or denials, small businesses might never get off the ground, and families could struggle to secure mortgages.&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;h3 data-end=&quot;3042&quot; data-start=&quot;3009&quot;&gt;3. Erosion of Local Control&lt;/h3&gt;

&lt;p data-end=&quot;3203&quot; data-start=&quot;3043&quot;&gt;Decisions about who gets a loan shift from your local loan officer&amp;mdash;who knows you and your community&amp;mdash;to corporate offices far removed from your town&amp;rsquo;s reality.&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;h3 data-end=&quot;3243&quot; data-start=&quot;3205&quot;&gt;4. Decline of Local Institutions&lt;/h3&gt;

&lt;p data-end=&quot;3408&quot; data-start=&quot;3244&quot;&gt;Fewer deposits mean reduced revenue for rural banks, which can lead to branch closures or forced mergers. This strips away another cornerstone of small-town life.&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;h3 data-end=&quot;3449&quot; data-start=&quot;3410&quot;&gt;5. Accelerated Rural Depopulation&lt;/h3&gt;

&lt;p data-end=&quot;3659&quot; data-start=&quot;3450&quot;&gt;Without access to credit for farms, homes, or businesses, young people leave for cities in search of opportunity. Over time, schools, hospitals, and community services shrink, deepening the cycle of decline.&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;hr data-end=&quot;3664&quot; data-start=&quot;3661&quot; /&gt;
&lt;h4 data-end=&quot;3685&quot; data-start=&quot;3666&quot;&gt;Final Thoughts&lt;/h4&gt;

&lt;p data-end=&quot;3952&quot; data-start=&quot;3686&quot;&gt;Keeping your deposits in your local rural bank isn&amp;rsquo;t just convenient&amp;mdash;it&amp;rsquo;s powerful. It&amp;rsquo;s an act of community stewardship and economic patriotism. Every dollar left in your hometown bank strengthens the future of your neighbors, your Main Street, and your children.&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p data-end=&quot;4139&quot; data-start=&quot;3954&quot;&gt;When money leaves, so does opportunity. But when it stays local, it builds the foundation for thriving farms, small businesses, families, and communities. Rural America depends on it.&lt;/p&gt;
</description>
				<author>marketing@fsbwc.com (First State Bank)</author>
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				<title>Scale back on spam mail</title>
				<link>https://www.fsbwc.com/fsb-blog/2025/03/26/scale-back-on-spam-mail</link>
				<guid>https://www.fsbwc.com/fsb-blog/2025/03/26/scale-back-on-spam-mail</guid>
				<pubDate>Wed, 26 Mar 2025 08:00:00 +0000</pubDate>
				<description>&lt;p&gt;If it&amp;rsquo;s not scammers spamming your phone with texts or filling up your inbox with emails, it&amp;rsquo;s your mailbox crammed with ads and other mail you didn&amp;rsquo;t ask for. The junk messages and mail might seem endless, but there are some ways to help scale it back.&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;Scammers send &lt;a href=&quot;https://consumer.ftc.gov/articles/how-recognize-and-avoid-phishing-scams&quot;&gt;phishing texts and emails&lt;/a&gt; that look legit to trick you into giving them personal or financial information. Legit companies might send mail that you just don&amp;rsquo;t want &amp;mdash; things like magazines, catalogs, or &lt;a href=&quot;https://consumer.ftc.gov/articles/prescreened-credit-insurance-offers&quot;&gt;prescreened offers of credit and insurance&lt;/a&gt;. While these aren&amp;rsquo;t necessarily scams, they can pile up quickly.&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;To help you cut down on spam texts and emails:&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;ul&gt;
	&lt;li&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Use filters.&lt;/strong&gt; Check if your mobile phone has options to &lt;a href=&quot;https://consumer.ftc.gov/articles/how-recognize-and-report-spam-text-messages#what_to_do&quot;&gt;filter and block&lt;/a&gt; texts from unknown senders. Some call blocking apps can also help block unwanted messages. Many popular email providers (like Gmail or Yahoo Mail) have strong &lt;a href=&quot;https://consumer.ftc.gov/articles/how-get-less-spam-your-email#fewer&quot;&gt;spam filters&lt;/a&gt; turned on by default. But if any spam gets into your inbox, mark it as &lt;a href=&quot;https://consumer.ftc.gov/articles/how-get-less-spam-your-email#fewer&quot;&gt;spam or junk&lt;/a&gt;.&lt;/li&gt;
	&lt;li&gt;&lt;a href=&quot;https://consumer.ftc.gov/articles/how-get-less-spam-your-email#fewer&quot;&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Unsubscribe&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;strong&gt; from unwanted emails.&lt;/strong&gt; Getting fewer unwanted emails helps you avoid clicking on links that can lead to &lt;a href=&quot;https://consumer.ftc.gov/articles/how-recognize-and-avoid-phishing-scams&quot;&gt;phishing attacks&lt;/a&gt;.&lt;/li&gt;
	&lt;li&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Report unwanted messages.&lt;/strong&gt; Unwanted messages often lead to scams. Report them. Use your phone&amp;rsquo;s &amp;ldquo;report junk&amp;rdquo; option or forward unwanted texts to &lt;a href=&quot;https://consumer.ftc.gov/articles/how-recognize-and-report-spam-text-messages#report&quot;&gt;7726 (SPAM)&lt;/a&gt; and unwanted emails to your &lt;a href=&quot;https://consumer.ftc.gov/articles/how-get-less-spam-your-email#report&quot;&gt;email provider&lt;/a&gt;.&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;/ul&gt;

&lt;p&gt;To help you cut down on junk mail:&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;ul&gt;
	&lt;li&gt;&lt;a href=&quot;https://consumer.ftc.gov/articles/how-stop-junk-mail#mail&quot;&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Register&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;strong&gt; with &lt;/strong&gt;&lt;a class=&quot;extlink use-ajax&quot; data-dialog-options=&quot;{&amp;quot;width&amp;quot;:&amp;quot;600&amp;quot;}&quot; data-dialog-type=&quot;modal&quot; data-once=&quot;externalLinks ajax&quot; href=&quot;https://consumer.ftc.gov/now-leaving?external_url=https%3A%2F%2Fdmachoice.org%2F&amp;amp;back_url=https%3A%2F%2Fconsumer.ftc.gov%2Fconsumer-alerts%2F2025%2F01%2Fdealing-spam-texts-emails-and-junk-mail%3Futm_campaign%3Ddealing_with_spam_texts%2C_%26utm_content%3D1742243327%26utm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Dfacebook%2Ctwitter%26fbclid%3DIwY2xjawJQ4g5leHRuA2FlbQIxMQABHfzZdfoYtZ2oU-jJf1bONnd_6UH9G1_O7rrUIjZCind2u7-RHRWlRItjeg_aem_gABcPajVmfYjQkS3ZnCVDA&quot;&gt;&lt;strong&gt;DMAchoice.org&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;strong&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/strong&gt;to decide what types of mail you do and don&amp;rsquo;t want from marketers.&lt;/li&gt;
	&lt;li&gt;&lt;a href=&quot;https://consumer.ftc.gov/articles/prescreened-credit-insurance-offers#opt&quot;&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Opt out&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;strong&gt; of getting prescreened credit and insurance offers in the mail.&lt;/strong&gt; You can choose to opt out for five years or permanently.&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;/ul&gt;

&lt;hr /&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Source:&amp;nbsp;&lt;a href=&quot;https://consumer.ftc.gov/consumer-alerts/2025/01/dealing-spam-texts-emails-and-junk-mail&quot; target=&quot;_blank&quot;&gt;Federal Trade Commission&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;
</description>
				<author>marketing@fsbwc.com (First State Bank)</author>
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			<item>
				<title>Winter Scams</title>
				<link>https://www.fsbwc.com/fsb-blog/2025/01/24/winter-scams</link>
				<guid>https://www.fsbwc.com/fsb-blog/2025/01/24/winter-scams</guid>
				<pubDate>Fri, 24 Jan 2025 08:30:00 +0000</pubDate>
				<description>&lt;p&gt;Whether by mail, phone, or email, scammers are always thinking up new ways to victimize you and take your hard-earned cash. Not only is there an array of methods that thieves may use to contact you during this time of year, but there are also several different scams they may employ to try and trick you into paying up. Here&amp;rsquo;s a look at three of the most popular wintertime scams, and the steps you can take to avoid them.&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;1) Romance Scams&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;With Valentine&amp;rsquo;s Day around the corner, romance is in the air&amp;mdash;but so too are romance scams. According to the FBI, a romance scam is when a criminal adopts a fake identity to gain a victim&amp;rsquo;s affection and trust. The scammer&amp;rsquo;s goal is to create a relationship as quickly as possible by seeming genuine and caring.&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;Eventually, they will say they need help with an unexpected bill or fee, or that they have suddenly fallen on hard times, and ask for money. Don&amp;rsquo;t fall for it; you should never send money to anyone you have only communicated with online or by phone. Additionally, be careful about what you share on the internet; scammers can use the information to connect with you and make you a target.&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;2) Utility Scams&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;During the cool winter months, you&amp;rsquo;re likely to be more aware of rising utility costs. But, if someone calls claiming to be from your gas, water, or electric company, you&amp;rsquo;ll want to take your time and confirm the information they give you.&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;Scammers will try to intimidate you and create a sense of fear or urgency hoping you&amp;rsquo;ll hand over money before confirming important details. Your real utility company representatives will not do this, so don&amp;rsquo;t be intimidated by an email or caller who suggests dire consequences if you do not immediately provide or verify financial information.&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;Instead, hang up and call the utility company yourself using the number on your bill or the company&amp;rsquo;s website. If they confirm that you do have unpaid bills, pay them as you normally would, not by following the caller&amp;rsquo;s instructions.&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;3) Skimming Scams&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;As you stand in the cold while pumping gas, take a look at the payment terminal in front of you&amp;mdash;you could prevent yourself from becoming a victim of identity theft. Scammers frequently attach skimming devices on top of ATMs, gas pumps, or other point-of-sale (POS) terminals to capture your data or PIN. Whenever possible, pay inside, choose a fuel pump closer to the store or in view of the attendant, or run your debit card as credit so you don&amp;rsquo;t have to enter your PIN. Pull at the edges of the keypad before entering your PIN to make sure there is nothing attached, and cover it with your hand as you enter your information in case hidden cameras have been installed above the terminal.&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Want to Protect Yourself? We Can Help&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;If you&amp;rsquo;ve sent money to someone you believe is a scammer, or you&amp;rsquo;ve noticed unexpected activity on your account, act as quickly as possible. Cancel your affected cards and call your bank if you think your account has been compromised. If a scammer does have your sensitive information, such as your social security number,&amp;nbsp;contact the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) to file a report.&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;We take your financial security very seriously. We offer more tips and tricks on our website to help you keep your information protected from identity theft and scams. You can also contact us at any time to learn more.&lt;/p&gt;
</description>
				<author>marketing@fsbwc.com (First State Bank)</author>
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			<item>
				<title>Valentine&apos;s Day Scams</title>
				<link>https://www.fsbwc.com/fsb-blog/2025/01/24/valentines-day-scams</link>
				<guid>https://www.fsbwc.com/fsb-blog/2025/01/24/valentines-day-scams</guid>
				<pubDate>Fri, 24 Jan 2025 08:00:00 +0000</pubDate>
				<description>&lt;p&gt;As with any major holiday or special occasion, Valentine&amp;rsquo;s Day is unfortunately not immune to scammers looking for an opportunity to exploit unsuspecting individuals. Their deceitful acts can break hearts and bank accounts. In this article, we spotlight some common Valentine&amp;rsquo;s Day scams, offer tips on how to protect yourself, and navigate this romantic day with confidence and caution.&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;The Unromantic Side of Valentine&amp;rsquo;s Day&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;Valentine&amp;rsquo;s Day is a time when love is in the air. It&amp;rsquo;s a time to express your feelings for that special someone in your life, or perhaps even embark on a new romantic journey. But while you&amp;rsquo;re busy planning that perfect dinner or choosing the ideal gift, there&amp;rsquo;s an unromantic side to the day that you should be aware of, &lt;strong&gt;the potential for scams.&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;Scammers, always looking for new ways to trick people into parting with their money, use the heightened emotions of Valentine&amp;rsquo;s Day to their advantage. They prey on the unwary, the love-struck, and even the lonely &amp;ndash; anyone who might let their guard down in the quest for love or the pursuit of the perfect gift. And in our increasingly digital world, these unscrupulous individuals have more ways than ever to reach potential victims.&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Recognizing Common Valentine&amp;rsquo;s Day Scams&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;Knowledge is power, as the saying goes, and that&amp;rsquo;s certainly true when it comes to protecting yourself from scams. By understanding the types of scams that are common around Valentine&amp;rsquo;s Day, you can be better prepared to spot them &amp;ndash; and&lt;strong&gt; avoid falling victim.&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;One of the most common Valentine&amp;rsquo;s Day scams is the &lt;strong&gt;romance scam&lt;/strong&gt;. Scammers, often posing as potential love interests on dating websites or social media, manipulate victims into believing they are in a romantic relationship. Once they have gained their victim&amp;rsquo;s trust, they ask for money &amp;ndash; perhaps to pay for a flight so they can meet in person, or because of a sudden personal crisis. These scams can be emotionally devastating, and they can also result in significant financial loss.&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;Another popular scam around Valentine&amp;rsquo;s Day involves online shopping. With many people seeking the perfect gift for their loved ones, scammers set up &lt;strong&gt;fake websites&lt;/strong&gt; that appear to sell everything from jewelry to concert tickets. After making a purchase, the unsuspecting victim either receives a counterfeit product or, in some cases, nothing at all. Additionally, these sites may be designed to steal credit card information or other personal data.&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Phishing scams &lt;/strong&gt;are also common. In these scams, victims receive emails that appear to be from a legitimate company &amp;ndash; perhaps a florist or a candy company &amp;ndash; asking them to confirm their account information or to click on a link. The goal is to steal sensitive information, such as credit card numbers or login credentials.&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;How to Keep Your Heart and Your Wallet Safe&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;While the existence of these scams is unquestionably concerning, the good news is that there are steps you can take to protect yourself. Valentine&amp;rsquo;s Day should be a celebration of love, not a source of stress and worry.&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;One of the most important things is to be aware that these scams exist and to be cautious when interacting with unfamiliar people or websites. If something seems too good to be true, it probably is.&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;When shopping online, make sure the website you are using is secure, and consider using a credit card, which offers greater protection against fraud compared to other forms of payment. Be wary of emails from unknown sources, especially those that ask for personal information or urge you to click on a link.&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;For shopping scams, it&amp;rsquo;s recommended to do research on any unfamiliar online retailer before making a purchase. Look for reviews or complaints about the retailer on independent consumer websites. If the website is offering items at a price that seems too good to be true, it likely is. Also, consider the website&amp;rsquo;s URL. A URL that begins with &amp;lsquo;https://&amp;rsquo; indicates that the website encrypts user information, making it safer to input sensitive information than on websites with &amp;lsquo;http://&amp;rsquo; URLs.&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;Forewarned is forearmed, and having advanced strategies to detect and avoid scams is also a strong line of defense. When it comes to online dating, be sure to thoroughly vet any potential romantic interests. This involves doing a reverse image search of profile photos, which can quickly reveal if a picture has been stolen from another online source. Additionally, be aware of red flags such as overly-flattering messages or requests to move the conversation to a private email or messaging app.&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;How to Report a Scam and What to Do If You Fall Victim to One&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;If you come across a scam or fall victim to one, it&amp;rsquo;s crucial to report it to the appropriate authorities. This helps law enforcement track down scammers and alert others to the scam. In the U.S., you can report scams to the Federal Trade Commission through their website. If the scam involves a financial transaction, also report it to your bank or credit card company. They may be able to help recover your funds or prevent further losses.&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;Additionally, take steps to protect yourself after falling victim to a scam. This could involve changing passwords, monitoring your financial accounts for unusual activity, or even freezing your credit. It can also be beneficial to alert your friends and family to the scam, both to protect them and to gain their support and assistance in dealing with the aftermath of the scam.&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Don&amp;rsquo;t Let Scammers Ruin Your Valentine&amp;rsquo;s Day&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;The unfortunate reality is that scammers are ever-present and always looking for new ways to exploit unsuspecting victims. However, by being informed, cautious, and proactive, you can significantly decrease your chances of falling victim to a Valentine&amp;rsquo;s Day scam. Whether you&amp;rsquo;re looking for love or shopping for the perfect gift, remember to always prioritize your safety and security.&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;And if you do encounter a scam, take comfort in knowing that you&amp;rsquo;re not alone and there are resources available to help. By reporting scams to the authorities, you&amp;rsquo;re doing your part to help stop scammers in their tracks and protect others from falling victim. Remember, Valentine&amp;rsquo;s Day is a day for celebrating love, not for worrying about scammers. Stay safe, stay informed, and don&amp;rsquo;t let a scammer ruin your Valentine&amp;rsquo;s Day.&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;Remember to always stay vigilant. Protect your heart and your bank account, and make sure your Valentine&amp;rsquo;s Day is filled with love and happiness, not regret and frustration. Don&amp;rsquo;t let scammers break your heart or your bank account &amp;ndash; on Valentine&amp;rsquo;s Day or on any other day.&lt;/p&gt;
</description>
				<author>marketing@fsbwc.com (First State Bank)</author>
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			<item>
				<title>The Five Scams of Christmas</title>
				<link>https://www.fsbwc.com/fsb-blog/2024/12/13/the-five-scams-of-christmas</link>
				<guid>https://www.fsbwc.com/fsb-blog/2024/12/13/the-five-scams-of-christmas</guid>
				<pubDate>Fri, 13 Dec 2024 08:00:00 +0000</pubDate>
				<description>&lt;p style=&quot;box-sizing: inherit; margin: 0px 0px 1.5em; padding: 0px; border: 0px; color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family: Montserrat, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: 300; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; white-space: normal; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial;&quot;&gt;The holiday season is a time for giving. But scammers would rather give, than receive. They are working overtime to give people a blue Christmas. However, you can keep accountholders&amp;rsquo; spirits bright. Here are the five scams of Christmas, with tips on how to avoid them.&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;h3 style=&quot;box-sizing: inherit; margin: 1.25em 0px 1em; padding: 0px; border: 0px; font-size: 1.4em; line-height: 1.3em; font-weight: 300; color: rgb(0, 67, 118); font-family: Montserrat, sans-serif; font-style: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; white-space: normal; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial;&quot;&gt;The Five Scams of Christmas&amp;nbsp;&lt;/h3&gt;

&lt;h5 style=&quot;box-sizing: inherit; margin: 0px 0px 0.5em; padding: 0px; border: 0px; font-size: 1.1em; font-weight: 500; color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family: Montserrat, sans-serif; font-style: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; white-space: normal; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial;&quot;&gt;Card declined scam&lt;/h5&gt;

&lt;p style=&quot;box-sizing: inherit; margin: 0px 0px 1.5em; padding: 0px; border: 0px; color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family: Montserrat, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: 300; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; white-space: normal; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial;&quot;&gt;In this scam, a shopper goes through the steps of making an online purchase, but they receive a &amp;ldquo;card declined&amp;rdquo; message instead of a confirmed order. Confused why their order didn&amp;rsquo;t go through, an accountholder decides to try again or use a different card, only to end up with the same &amp;quot;error&amp;rdquo;. However, the order was confirmed on the scammer&amp;rsquo;s fake website, who now has the shopper&amp;rsquo;s personal and financial information.&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p style=&quot;box-sizing: inherit; margin: 0px 0px 1.5em; padding: 0px; border: 0px; color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family: Montserrat, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: 300; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; white-space: normal; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial;&quot;&gt;Avoid this scam by encouraging your accountholders to look closely at the website they are on. Make sure they check to see if the domain is spelled correctly, or if there are any extra subdomains tacked onto the URL. Also, remind accountholders to be weary of any deals that are too good to be true. Those could be a&lt;span&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href=&quot;https://www.shazam.net/news/shazam-blog/avoid-being-hooked-by-a-phishing-attack--/&quot; style=&quot;box-sizing: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; color: rgb(28, 60, 109);&quot;&gt;phishing&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/span&gt;attempt.&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;h6 style=&quot;box-sizing: inherit; margin: 1.25em 0px 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; font-size: 1.1em; font-weight: 500; color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family: Montserrat, sans-serif; font-style: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; white-space: normal; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial;&quot;&gt;Fake delivery notification&amp;nbsp;&lt;/h6&gt;

&lt;p style=&quot;box-sizing: inherit; margin: 0px 0px 1.5em; padding: 0px; border: 0px; color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family: Montserrat, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: 300; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; white-space: normal; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial;&quot;&gt;This scam is also designed to take advantage of online shoppers. Except in this scam, a shopper receives a fraudulent email or text message about their order. Scammers, pretending to be legitimate retailers or shipping companies, will send emails or text messages notifying people on the status of their order, hoping the person on the other end clicks on their malicious link.&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p style=&quot;box-sizing: inherit; margin: 0px 0px 1.5em; padding: 0px; border: 0px; color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family: Montserrat, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: 300; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; white-space: normal; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial;&quot;&gt;As with the card declined scam, educate your accountholders to verify any URL or email domain before clicking. If they do click on the link, tell them about the red flags. No legitimate business will ask an accountholder to re-enter personal information or pay an additional fee to receive an order they&amp;rsquo;ve already paid for.&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;h5 style=&quot;box-sizing: inherit; margin: 1.25em 0px 0.5em; padding: 0px; border: 0px; font-size: 1.1em; font-weight: 500; color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family: Montserrat, sans-serif; font-style: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; white-space: normal; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial;&quot;&gt;Gift card scam&amp;nbsp;&lt;/h5&gt;

&lt;p style=&quot;box-sizing: inherit; margin: 0px 0px 1.5em; padding: 0px; border: 0px; color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family: Montserrat, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: 300; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; white-space: normal; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial;&quot;&gt;Gift cards are always a popular gift for anyone who is hard to shop for. Scammers know this as well. They will either put their own barcode on the card or take down the card numbers to get instant access to the funds the moment the card is activated at the checkout line.&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p style=&quot;box-sizing: inherit; margin: 0px 0px 1.5em; padding: 0px; border: 0px; color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family: Montserrat, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: 300; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; white-space: normal; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial;&quot;&gt;To prevent a grinch from stealing their gift, tell your accountholders to look over the gift card before purchasing. Have them slide their finger across the back to feel if there is a sticker over the actual barcode. Also, have them check to ensure the packaging around the card hasn&amp;rsquo;t been opened and resealed. And remind them that&lt;span&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/span&gt;gift cards are for giving, not making payments.&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;h6 style=&quot;box-sizing: inherit; margin: 1.25em 0px 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; font-size: 1.1em; font-weight: 500; color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family: Montserrat, sans-serif; font-style: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; white-space: normal; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial;&quot;&gt;Charity scams&amp;nbsp;&lt;/h6&gt;

&lt;p style=&quot;box-sizing: inherit; margin: 0px 0px 1.5em; padding: 0px; border: 0px; color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family: Montserrat, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: 300; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; white-space: normal; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial;&quot;&gt;The holidays are a critical time for charities as a large percentage of their annual donations happen during the holiday season. Fraudsters know this and try to take advantage. They&amp;#39;ll use fake sites or telemarketing tactics to turn someone&amp;rsquo;s goodwill into their good fortune.&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p style=&quot;box-sizing: inherit; margin: 0px 0px 1.5em; padding: 0px; border: 0px; color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family: Montserrat, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: 300; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; white-space: normal; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial;&quot;&gt;Make an accountholder&amp;rsquo;s donation count by reminding them to do their research on a charity before they give. Have them pay attention to how they want an accountholder to pay. It&amp;rsquo;s likely a scam if a charity asks for payment in cryptocurrency or a wire transfer.&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;h6 style=&quot;box-sizing: inherit; margin: 1.25em 0px 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; font-size: 1.1em; font-weight: 500; color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family: Montserrat, sans-serif; font-style: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; white-space: normal; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial;&quot;&gt;Seasonal work scams&lt;/h6&gt;

&lt;p style=&quot;box-sizing: inherit; margin: 0px 0px 1.5em; padding: 0px; border: 0px; color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family: Montserrat, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: 300; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; white-space: normal; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial;&quot;&gt;Many retailers seek temporary help to make sure the holidays are holly jolly for shoppers. Scammers attempt to take advantage of this by posting fake job postings for real employers, hoping they fill out and submit a bogus job application.&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p style=&quot;box-sizing: inherit; margin: 0px 0px 1.5em; padding: 0px; border: 0px; color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family: Montserrat, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: 300; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; white-space: normal; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial;&quot;&gt;To ensure accountholders are making an extra buck instead of losing it to a fraudster, tell them to directly apply for the job on the company&amp;rsquo;s official site. Some red flags on a job posting include a much higher than average wage or an instant job offer. Additionally, any employer asking applicants to pay for supplies or an application fee before they are hired is likely a scam.&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;h3 style=&quot;box-sizing: inherit; margin: 1.25em 0px 1em; padding: 0px; border: 0px; font-size: 1.4em; line-height: 1.3em; font-weight: 300; color: rgb(0, 67, 118); font-family: Montserrat, sans-serif; font-style: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; white-space: normal; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial;&quot;&gt;Keeping the holidays merry and bright&amp;nbsp;&lt;/h3&gt;

&lt;p style=&quot;box-sizing: inherit; margin: 0px 0px 1.5em; padding: 0px; border: 0px; color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family: Montserrat, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: 300; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; white-space: normal; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial;&quot;&gt;It is important that everyone remains vigilant about these&lt;span&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href=&quot;https://www.shazam.net/news/shazam-blog/social-engineering-how-to-spot-a-scammer-to-avoid-being-tricked/&quot; style=&quot;box-sizing: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; color: rgb(28, 60, 109);&quot;&gt;social engineering attacks&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/span&gt;this holiday season. Educating accountholders about humbugs and their holiday schemes is not only good for business, it also builds trust and loyalty. Remind accountholders not to share their account number, debit card number or social security number, even if they receive a call, text or email from someone claiming to be from your financial institution or SHAZAM. When in doubt, cardholders should hang up and call your financial institution or SHAZAM directly.&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p style=&quot;box-sizing: inherit; margin: 0px 0px 1.5em; padding: 0px; border: 0px; color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family: Montserrat, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: 300; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; white-space: normal; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial;&quot;&gt;Source: &lt;a href=&quot;https://www.shazam.net/news/shazam-blog/the-five-scams-of-christmas/&quot;&gt;The Five Scams of Christmas - SHAZAM&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
</description>
				<author>marketing@fsbwc.com (First State Bank)</author>
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			<item>
				<title>REAL ID</title>
				<link>https://www.fsbwc.com/fsb-blog/2024/09/03/real-id</link>
				<guid>https://www.fsbwc.com/fsb-blog/2024/09/03/real-id</guid>
				<pubDate>Tue, 03 Sep 2024 08:00:00 +0000</pubDate>
				<description>&lt;blockquote&gt;
&lt;p&gt;The REAL ID (gold star) effective date is set for May 7, 2025. If you fly commercially or need access to federal facilities, you&amp;#39;ll either need a REAL ID license or ID or another acceptable identity document.&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;Please note: It can take up to 30 days to receive your REAL ID in the mail.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;/blockquote&gt;

&lt;h3&gt;WHAT IS THE REAL ID ACT?&lt;/h3&gt;

&lt;p&gt;The REAL ID Act sets minimum security standards for driver&amp;#39;s license/ID issuance and production. It also prohibits federal agencies from accepting driver&amp;#39;s licenses and ID cards for certain purposes from states that don&amp;#39;t meet the Act&amp;rsquo;s minimum standards. Beginning May 7, 2025, all persons must have a REAL ID license to:&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;ul class=&quot;check&quot;&gt;
	&lt;li&gt;Board commercial flights within the United States.&lt;/li&gt;
	&lt;li&gt;Access certain federal buildings.&lt;/li&gt;
	&lt;li&gt;Enter nuclear facilities.&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;/ul&gt;

&lt;p&gt;&lt;a href=&quot;https://www.dhs.gov/real-id-public-faqs&quot; target=&quot;_blank&quot;&gt;Find out more about the REAL ID Act.&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;h3&gt;HOW DO I KNOW IF I HAVE A REAL ID?&lt;/h3&gt;

&lt;p&gt;Check the upper-right corner of your driver&amp;rsquo;s license or ID. If you have a gold star, you have a REAL ID. If it is blank, it is not a REAL ID.&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;Beginning Feb. 21, 2024, all driver&amp;rsquo;s licenses or ID cards that are not REAL ID-compliant will read &amp;ldquo;NOT FOR REAL ID ACT PURPOSES&amp;rdquo; in the upper-right corner.*&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;&lt;em&gt;*Pursuant to the REAL ID Regulation 6 CFR Part 37, driver&amp;rsquo;s license and ID cards should have a marking indicating the card&amp;rsquo;s level of REAL ID compliance.&lt;/em&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;h3&gt;What does a REAL ID card look like?&lt;img alt=&quot;&quot; height=&quot;211&quot; src=&quot;/media/cms/Real_ID_Example_A6A4B4B148610.JPG&quot; style=&quot;float:right&quot; width=&quot;250&quot; /&gt;&lt;/h3&gt;

&lt;ol&gt;
	&lt;li&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Non-compliant cards*&lt;/strong&gt;, prior to Feb.21, 2024 - these cards are blank in the upper right corner.&lt;/li&gt;
	&lt;li&gt;&lt;strong&gt;REAL ID compliant cards&lt;/strong&gt; &amp;ndash; These cards have the gold star in the upper-right corner.&lt;/li&gt;
	&lt;li&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Non-compliant cards, beginning on Feb. 21, 2024&lt;/strong&gt; &amp;ndash; These cards have the indicator of &amp;ldquo;NOT FOR REAL ID ACT PURPOSES&amp;rdquo; in the upper-right corner. As citizens with the blank non-compliant cards renew or replace their driver&amp;rsquo;s license or ID cards, they will convert to the indicator of &amp;ldquo;NOT FOR REAL ID ACT PURPOSES.&amp;rdquo;&lt;br /&gt;
	&lt;br /&gt;
	*Non-compliant cards are still a valid form of identification. As of May 7, 2025, they will no longer be accepted for boarding domestic flights or accessing certain federal buildings.&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;/ol&gt;

&lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;h3&gt;DO I NEED A REAL ID-COMPLIANT CARD?&lt;img alt=&quot;&quot; height=&quot;223&quot; src=&quot;/media/cms/Checklist_36A608BFF903B.JPG&quot; style=&quot;float:right&quot; width=&quot;250&quot; /&gt;&lt;/h3&gt;

&lt;p&gt;Beginning May 7, 2025, all persons must have a REAL ID-marked card to access certain federal buildings, enter nuclear facilities, and board commercial flights within the United States.&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;You &lt;strong&gt;do NOT&lt;/strong&gt; need a REAL ID to:&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;ul class=&quot;check&quot;&gt;
	&lt;li&gt;Drive&lt;/li&gt;
	&lt;li&gt;Vote&lt;/li&gt;
	&lt;li&gt;Purchase alcohol or cigarettes&lt;/li&gt;
	&lt;li&gt;Access hospitals&lt;/li&gt;
	&lt;li&gt;Visit the post office&lt;/li&gt;
	&lt;li&gt;Access federal courts&lt;/li&gt;
	&lt;li&gt;Apply for or receive federal benefits such as social security or veterans&amp;rsquo; benefits&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;/ul&gt;

&lt;h3&gt;HOW DO I GET A REAL ID-COMPLIANT CARD?&lt;/h3&gt;

&lt;p&gt;Whether you are getting your first Iowa driver&amp;#39;s license or ID card or renewing or replacing an Iowa driver&amp;#39;s license or ID card that doesn&amp;#39;t have a REAL ID gold star, the process is the same.&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;ol&gt;
	&lt;li&gt;&lt;a href=&quot;https://iowadot.gov/mvd/realid/success.aspx&quot;&gt;Create a customized list of documents&lt;/a&gt; you will need to bring with you when you go to the DMV to get your REAL ID.&lt;/li&gt;
	&lt;li&gt;&lt;a href=&quot;https://iowadot.gov/mvd/ServiceSelector&quot;&gt;Make an appointment&lt;/a&gt; to go to the DMV and present the documents that prove your identity and residency.&lt;br /&gt;
	It does not cost more to get a card with a REAL ID star and there are no tests required to add a REAL ID star. The REAL ID star does not affect how long the card is valid.&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;/ol&gt;

&lt;p&gt;*Please note it can take up to 30 days to receive your REAL ID in the mail.&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;For additional details please visit the &lt;a href=&quot;https://iowadot.gov/mvd/realid&quot; target=&quot;_blank&quot;&gt;Iowa DOT&lt;/a&gt; website.&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;h3&gt;I have a REAL ID&lt;/h3&gt;

&lt;p&gt;Congratulations on getting a REAL ID driver&amp;#39;s license or ID. When boarding a plane or entering a federal facility that requires identification, present your REAL ID card and follow their directions. It&amp;#39;s that simple.&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;Once you have a REAL ID-compliant card, you won&amp;rsquo;t need to bring all of those documents again to renew. Any replacement card or renewal will be issued to you and will include the REAL ID star.&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;You are eligible to &lt;a href=&quot;https://mymvd.iowadot.gov/Account/Login?ReturnUrl=%2fLicenseRenewal%2fDocumentDiscriminator&quot; target=&quot;_blank&quot;&gt;renew your REAL-ID compliant card online&lt;/a&gt; every other renewal cycle.&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;However:&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;ul class=&quot;check&quot;&gt;
	&lt;li&gt;If you are a foreign national with temporary lawful status, you must provide proof of lawful status at each renewal.&lt;/li&gt;
	&lt;li&gt;If you are switching to an Iowa driver&amp;rsquo;s license/ID from another state, you will need to provide all the documentation even if your out of state driver&amp;rsquo;s license/ID already has the gold star (REAL ID).&lt;/li&gt;
	&lt;li&gt;If your name, date of birth, or sex changes, you will need to provide documentation that proves the change. (This is true whether you have a card that has a REAL ID star or not.)&amp;nbsp;&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;/ul&gt;

&lt;p&gt;Source: For more information visit: &lt;a href=&quot;https://iowadot.gov/mvd/realid&quot; target=&quot;_blank&quot;&gt;https://iowadot.gov/mvd/realid&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
</description>
				<author>marketing@fsbwc.com (First State Bank)</author>
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			<item>
				<title>14 Red Flags for Elder Financial Abuse</title>
				<link>https://www.fsbwc.com/fsb-blog/2024/08/26/14-red-flags-for-elder-financial-abuse</link>
				<guid>https://www.fsbwc.com/fsb-blog/2024/08/26/14-red-flags-for-elder-financial-abuse</guid>
				<pubDate>Mon, 26 Aug 2024 08:00:00 +0000</pubDate>
				<description>&lt;div style=&quot;position: relative; width: 100%; height: 0; padding-top: 129.4118%;
 padding-bottom: 0; box-shadow: 0 2px 8px 0 rgba(63,69,81,0.16); margin-top: 1.6em; margin-bottom: 0.9em; overflow: hidden;
 border-radius: 8px; will-change: transform;&quot;&gt;&lt;iframe allow=&quot;fullscreen&quot; allowfullscreen=&quot;allowfullscreen&quot; frameborder=&quot;0&quot; loading=&quot;lazy&quot; scrolling=&quot;no&quot; src=&quot;https://www.canva.com/design/DAGO9znYt18/jgrM6nsS0Wz37EF7jGdvZA/view?embed&quot; style=&quot;position: absolute; width: 100%; height: 100%; top: 0; left: 0; border: none; padding: 0;margin: 0;&quot; title=&quot;14 Red Flags for Elder Financial Abuse&quot;&gt;&lt;/iframe&gt;
&lt;/div&gt;

&lt;p&gt;&lt;a href=&quot;https://www.canva.com/design/DAGO9znYt18/jgrM6nsS0Wz37EF7jGdvZA/view?utm_content=DAGO9znYt18&amp;amp;utm_campaign=designshare&amp;amp;utm_medium=embeds&amp;amp;utm_source=link&quot; rel=&quot;noopener&quot; target=&quot;_blank&quot;&gt;2022 SBFS 14 Red Flags Elder Abuse Tip Sheet.pdf&lt;/a&gt; by First State Bank&lt;/p&gt;
</description>
				<author>marketing@fsbwc.com (First State Bank)</author>
			</item>
		
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