BSF has a commitment to protect your information. While our privacy policies are the same whether you are online or offline, we have extra measures in place to protect your privacy when you bank online.
Satisfying our clients' financial needs in a secure manner and helping them succeed financially has been a cornerstone of BSF since we first opened our doors. Protecting our clients and their information is a top priority – one that we take very seriously. As online services evolve, we continuously work to enhance our systems and processes. Because no single solution can ensure online security, we have developed a layered security approach with industry-leading solutions.
We have two major objectives in selecting electronic safeguards for our clients:
- Protecting our clients' information
- Minimizing client impact while providing multiple layers of protection wherever client transactions call for added security
Security, quite simply, protects the confidentiality of your account information and prevents theft of your financial assets.
Internet Security
It is important to verify that only authorized users log in to our online banking portal. We use multi-layered security, including password verification, to ensure user authorization. We limit the number of times you can enter your password incorrectly. We monitor and record incorrect login attempts to detect suspicious activity, such as someone trying to guess your password. You play a crucial role in preventing others from logging in to your account. Never use weak passwords that are easy to guess. Examples of poorly crafted passwords are: birthdays, first names, pet names, addresses, phone numbers and social security numbers. Never reveal your password to another person. You should periodically change your password, which is an option within our online banking portal.
Our enhanced login security provides additional peace of mind when you are using BSF’s online banking portal. Enhanced login security protects against online fraud by requiring an additional authentication factor beyond your ID and password each time you log in to online banking. This additional layer of security is a browser-based secure cookie, a piece of information that is stored on your computer and is recognized by our system when you log in. We also time out an online banking session after a specified period of inactivity. This keeps others from viewing or continuing online banking activity if you leave your computer unattended. However, we recommend that you always log off from your session when you have finished your online banking activity.
In case of questions about transactions on any of your accounts, please contact your Relationship Manager, or telephone us at 415-744-6700. You can write to us at our mailing address. Please provide us with information that will assist us in researching the issue, such as name, dollar amount and description of the error or problem.
Social Engineering
Social engineering refers to the use of deception as a way of manipulating others into performing actions or divulging confidential information for fraudulent purposes. The deception could take place via phone, email, postal mail or direct contact.
There are several types of social engineering, including baiting, phishing, whaling, pretexting and scareware. Each type of attack focuses on confusing an individual through malware-infected devices, downloads and links, or by tricking someone in order to gain access to personal or financial information.
Messages sent by email may not be secured, may be intercepted by third parties and may not be immediately received by the appropriate department at BSF. Please do not use email to send us communication that contains confidential information; that is required in writing; or that needs our immediate attention. Please call us instead at 415-744-6700.
The Bank will never contact you on an unsolicited basis to request any information about your accounts or your online banking credentials.
At BSF, we take the security of client information very seriously. Please contact us if you have received a suspicious email, such as a phishing email, or suspect potential unauthorized activity involving your account. Please report suspicious emails to info@bankbsf.com.
Website Links
Several links on this website lead to external, third-party websites, not affiliated, monitored or controlled by BSF. BSF is not responsible for the content available on other internet sites. These links are provided as a convenience to users. Access to any other internet site linked from this website is at the user's own risk. The inclusion of any link does not imply a recommendation or endorsement by BSF of the linked site.