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Security Center

Security Tips

At St. Johns Bank we understand the importance of securing your financial records both in the branch and through Online Banking. In order to preserve your personal information you must take an active role. We have comprised a list of security tips to help get you started.
Please be aware that the bank will NEVER call you to ask for information. Please read this information from the American Bankers Association for more information: Banks Never Ask That

More tips to Avoid Phishing Scams here.

  • Install and periodically update anti-spyware, anti-virus, and firewall protection on your home computer. This will help safeguard your personal and account information when conducting online banking sessions on your home computer.
  • Avoid downloading software, screen savers, and pictures from unknown or non-trusted websites.
  • Do not open email attachments from unknown sources or that appear generic in nature. They may contain viruses or spyware.
Back up your files. In case your computer crashes, is stolen, or you have multiple users, save your important files on your hard drive as well as your choice of backup media.

Click the links below to find out more about computer security and what you can do to protect your personal information.
  • St. Johns Bank will never send an email requesting you to click on a link to sign in to your account or to call a phone number to provide private information.
  • Whenever you sign in to your Online Banking account, always use your normal process (e.g. your Favorites link or our homepage link). Do not use a link sent in an email.
  • If you receive a suspicious email or phone call, do not hesitate to call us to ask us about it. We do not mind looking into the matter for you.
  • If you call us, you should use our main phone numbers (314) 428-1000, (314) 428-1059 or (636) 939-3495. Do not use a phone number sent to you in an email or left on an answering machine.
  • If we call you and you want to be sure that the phone call is legitimate, ask us for our name and tell us that you will need to call us back (using one of our main phone numbers). We do not mind if you take this extra step to protect your information.
  • Be suspicious of any unanticipated emails that request you to open an attachment. These may be actually installing a keystroke logging virus on your computer.
  1. Never divulge personal information in response to an unsolicited call, letter or e-mail. Just having information about your checking account may be enough for a thief to obtain a bank draft that deducts funds from your account. So unless you initiate the contact with another party and you know it’s reputable, don’t provide details such as your Social Security Number, bank account and credit card numbers, personal identification numbers, date of birth, or your mother’s maiden name.
  2. Thoroughly check out any offer before agreeing to anything. Always get key details in writing. Carefully read all the documentation, including the fine print in applications and contracts, to understand your potential costs, risks and requirements. Don’t just rely on what a sales person tells you or what’s printed in promotional literature. Ask friends and family what they think.
  3. Try to deal only with businesses you already know or that have been recommended by someone you trust. This minimizes the chance that you may be lured in by a high-cost company or a shady marketer, perhaps even a con artist. When in doubt, start with your state or local consumer protection office and ask where to go for information on whether a service provider is properly licensed to do business and whether there are complaints or rule violations tied to this company. Another resource for complaints against a company is the Better Business Bureau.
    For guidance on whether a bank is legitimate, you can call the FDIC’s toll-free consumer assistance line (1-877- ASK-FDIC, which is 1-877-275-3342.)
  4. Assume that any offer that “sounds too good to be true” - especially one from a stranger or an unfamiliar company - is probably a fraud. Common examples include:
    • A telephone call or a letter notifying you of winning a lottery or a sweepstakes that you don’t remember entering, and you are told to pay “taxes” or “fees” before you can claim your prize.
    • You receive an unexpected check in the mail, and you are told to deposit it, and send a “processing fee” to the sender.
    • A promise of an investment paying significantly above market rates.
    • A fake job offer that promises to pay a lot for doing very little (such as stuffing packages or envelopes at home) and may involve handling or wiring money. “The crooks mostly want to learn your Social Security Number from your application or they want you to deposit a fraudulent check and then wire money to them out of your bank account,” says Michael Benardo, manager of the FDIC’s financial crimes section.
    • An Internet friendship or romance that soon leads to pleas for money and secrecy.
  5. Know the other signs of a scam. In general, any story that grabs your attention and emotions and then forces you to act quickly - before you have time to think rationally - may be part of a con game.


  • Create a unique password. Stay away from using birthdates, children's names, and other easily obtained information.
  • Keep your password a secret. Your password is designed to protect your personal information, it will only work if you keep it to yourself.
  • Change your ID and password on a regular basis. We recommend changing your password every 90 days.
  • Always log out. When your online banking is complete log out of Online Banking before closing the browser.
  • Do not use autofill. Certain websites will automatically fill in your ID and password. Always uncheck this box.

Password Security Considerations
For security reasons, passwords are used online to access everything from social media to online banking to your smart phone. Listed below are some suggested strategies to limit the vulnerability of your personal information:

  • Choose passwords that are case sensitive and that use both letters and numbers
  • Avoid using personal information, words or phrases that can be linked back to you
  • Avoid using sequential numbers and repeating characters
  • Keep your passwords safe and never send them to anyone via email
  • Try to avoid writing your password down but if you must, avoid keeping it near your computer.