Identity Theft & Warning Signs

What is Identity Theft? Identity theft is using another person’s identity for economic gain. Thieves tend to use your identity in one of two ways: Use existing accounts to make purchases, pay for services or withdraw money Open new accounts or service agreements with stolen information How Does Identity Theft Happen? Opportunistic: e.g., stolen or lost wallets or purses, misappropriated credit or debit cards, re-approved credit applications that you’ve...



A Business Banking Relationship Stands the Test of Time.

Citizens Community Bank and Chancy Drugs, both community-focused, locally owned businesses in south Georgia, have been working together for more than 50 years. “My experience with a community bank actually started when I was about a year old in 1966, when my mom and dad started our original pharmacy in Hahira, said Hugh Chancy of Chancy Drugs. “DK Hollis, Jr., the president and owner of CCB at the time, gave them their first business loan which allowed us to start our family...



5 Ways to Spot Lottery Scams

Solicitation scams, commonly referred to as an “advance fee,” “lottery” or “sweepstakes” scam, often begin with fraudsters telling the victim they won the lottery or a raffle. The consumer may be issued a check worth more than the amount owed and instructed to pay taxes and fees before receiving a lump sum payment. Unfortunately, the check––in addition to the raffle––is bogus. Don’t be fooled by the appearance of the check. Scam artists use sophisticated...



Financial Literacy is Key to Effective Money Management for Teens

Former Federal Reserve Chairman Alan Greenspan once stated, “Financial education is a process that should begin at an early age and continue throughout life. This cumulative process builds the skills necessary for making critical financial decisions.” At Citizens Community Bank we understand the importance of helping our community’s youth build a strong financial foundation so that they better understand basic concepts like budgeting, simple interest, and establishing and...



Learn to Spot the Scam

It's no secret scammers can be relentless! A recent American Banker's Association (ABA) article raises awareness of tech support scams which usually begin with a phone call or pop-up window on your computer screen showing fake error messages with a number to call. These scammers impersonate representatives from well-known tech companies (such as Apple, Google, or Microsoft) to persuade victims to provide remote access to their computers to “repair” an issue, such as malware. If access is...



Citizens Community Bank Welcomes Jaime Gibbons

Citizens Community Bank recently welcomed Jaime Gibbons to our lending team as Vice President and Commercial Loan Officer. Jaime started banking in 1996 as a teller for a local credit union and grew from there. Throughout his banking career, Jaime has worked in virtually every department of a bank and settled in commercial lending. After working with a larger bank, Jaime found that his heart was in community banking. Born in Fitzgerald, GA, Jaime started working at a young age in his...



Citizens Community Bank Welcomes Lee Beth Smith

Lee Beth Smith is one of the most recent additions to Citizens Community Bank’s lending team. With 17 years of banking experience and a strong background in consumer and commercial lending, Lee Beth is a great fit for our team. Joining our Baytree location as a Vice President and Consumer and Commercial Loan Officer, Lee Beth has cultivated skills in many departments of the bank with roles such as teller, customer service representative, portfolio manager, credit analyst, and loan...



Cybersecurity for the Business Traveler

Whether you’re a seasoned traveling pro or a once-a-year-trip kind of traveler, business trips pose unique cybersecurity threats. Business travelers carry sensitive data, pertaining to both their work and their personal lives, on various devices. Easily accessible Wi-Fi networks and new environments for potential victims make travelers a hot target for hackers. Here are some tips to stay cyber safe during your next trip: Before you go, make sure your devices are backed up. In...