Insights

Stay Secure While Traveling

An Opportunity for Scammers Millions of people travel year-round for leisure and business. Like many travelers, you likely bring your laptop and mobile device to stay connected in the air or on the road. You may use travel apps on your smartphone or post photos and videos of your travels to your social media accounts. […]

DocuSign Phishing Emails

DocuSign, a trusted tool for secure document signing and sharing, has become a target for cybercriminals to launch phishing attacks. These sophisticated attacks exploit the trust users place in official DocuSign emails, making them particularly dangerous. These emails often look legitimate, coming from verified DocuSign domains. They may include genuine-looking footers, complete with Alternate Signing […]

Fake CAPTCHA Initiates Malware

Protect Yourself From Fake CAPTCHA Pages You are probably familiar with CAPTCHA security challenges that enable websites to distinguish between humans and bots by asking visitors to type in characters or select the correct objects in an image. Examples of legitimate CAPTCHAs: Recently scammers began distributing malware through fake CAPTCHAs by adding so-called “verification steps.” […]

IT Regulatory Compliance Security

The Federal Cybersecurity Office Releases Tips for Consumers on Avoiding Holiday Scams The Office of Cybersecurity and Critical Infrastructure Protection has released a consumer advisory on avoiding cyber and online scams during the holiday season, including: – Warning about suspicious texts or emails claiming to come from financial institutions– Beware urgent notifications about account problems or compromise– Take […]

IT Regulatory Compliance Security

Google Support Scam In this week’s scam, we bring attention to a recent incident that underscores the importance of vigilance against phishing scams. An individual was deceived into granting access to his Google account, leading to the theft of nearly $500,000 in cryptocurrencies. The scam involved a call from someone impersonating Google support, using a legitimate-looking […]

IT Regulatory Compliance Security

Watch Out for Election-Themed Scams In this week’s scam, cybercriminals are taking advantage of the upcoming United States elections to try and steal your personal information and money. The scams vary slightly and involve fake text messages, social media posts, phone calls, and more. Cybercriminals use AI to make these phishing attempts even more convincing. […]

IT Regulatory Compliance Security

Hurricane Helene Recovery Scams From the Federal Trade Commission: Nobody knows how long it’ll take to recover from the devastating flooding and destruction of Hurricane Helene. But we do know it won’t be long before scammers try to cash in on the storm. As you’re working to get back on your feet, learn how scammers […]

IT Regulatory Compliance Security

Timely Topics: FCC Fines Major U.S. Wireless Carriers for Selling Customer Location Data The U.S. Federal Communications Commission (FCC) today levied fines totaling nearly $200 million against the four major carriers — including AT&T, Sprint, T-Mobile, and Verizon — for illegally sharing access to customers’ location information without consent. From “krebsonsecurity.com” (4/29/24) Addressing the Deep […]

IT Regulatory Compliance Security

Timely Topics: Beware of new Consumer Financial Protection imposter scams We can’t say it enough – the CFPB will NEVER contact you and ask you for sensitive information or to pay money. This includes never asking you to pay an upfront fee or taxes, or telling you that you’ve won a lottery, sweepstakes, or class-action lawsuit. […]

IT Regulatory Compliance Security

Timely Topics: ATM Security | American Bankers Association ATMs remain a prime target for criminals. Whether the criminals attempt to breach the machine through physical means or through malware infections, banks must remain knowledgeable about the evolving threats in their region. From “aba.com” This Remote-Created Check Fraud Cover-Up Was A Scam Check fraud losses are […]

IT Regulatory Compliance Security

Timely Topics: What does the future hold in store for payment technologies?   The advancement of technology, coupled with rising demand for speed and convenience, is defining the future of paytech with a new era of innovatioFrom “FinTech Magazine” Alec Clere (12/4/2023) Social and synthetic media are spawning new fraud, feds warn While social media […]

IT Regulatory Compliance Security

Timely Topics: As we approach Veterans Day, we thank our veterans for their service and sacrifice. But not everyone has a vet’s best interests in mind. Whether you left the service decades ago or you’re planning your transition to civilian life, scammers will try to get you to send money or share personal information. Scammers […]

IT Regulatory Compliance Security

Timely Topics: Do you use payment apps like Venmo, CashApp, or Zelle? Ever send money through an app like Venmo, CashApp, or Zelle? They make it easy to send money fast to friends or family. But what happens when it’s a scammer on the other end? From “FTC” Amy Hebert (8/14/2023) Top 3 Cyberthreats Facing […]

IT Regulatory Compliance Security

Timely Topics: QR Code Scams Are Out Of Control – How To Protect Yourself Imagine losing $15,000 in just a few seconds. It happened to a woman who scanned a QR code to take a survey and instead downloaded malware that drained her bank account. QR codes are those black-and-white dot-based images you scan to […]

Give Your Employees Confidence Around Their Finances

Employee benefits that will help them succeed. In the age of constant app connectivity, it is easy to forget the benefits of face-to-face interaction, especially when the subject is something as personal as finances, wages, and banking. While many of your employees may interact with their financial institutions through a handheld or laptop screen, that […]

IT Regulatory Compliance Security

Timely Topics: How To Protect Your iPhone From Hackers When you’re carrying around a smartphone that’s worth up to $1,000 or more in your pocket, you’re going to want to protect it. But the device isn’t necessarily the most valuable property to thieves — it’s the personal data you have stored on it. From “CBS […]

What Does Financial Health Mean to You?

Is it paying bills on time, robust savings, retirement fund, affording a new car? Whatever financial health means to you, it starts with getting your finances in order. It’s easy to think that keeping track of your account balances is all you need to do to stay on top of your finances. But that is […]

4 Reasons Why You Need a Local Business Banker

If you own a business, you know the value of personal relationships. Whether you’re in retail, services, manufacturing, or any other sector, knowing your customer or client by name is priceless. But what about the services your business uses? Does your banker know your name? Do you know theirs? Do you even have a banker? […]

IT Regulatory Compliance Security

Timely Topics: Will The FTC Call Or Write You? Will They Demand Money? Scammers trying to rip you off will often impersonate organizations or government agencies you know. Some even pretend to be from the Federal Trade Commission. But how can you know if it’s the FTC or if it’s a scammer impersonating the FTC? […]

How to Get Pre-Approval For a Mortgage

Homeownership is rewarding, but the home-buying process can be complicated and stressful. It may be the largest purchase you will ever have to make. And South Carolina home loans come in a lot of different flavors. Of all the things you can do to prepare, getting pre-approval for a mortgage is one of the wisest […]

IT Regulatory Compliance Security

Timely Topics: Hurricane-Related Scams CISA warns users to remain on alert for malicious cyber activity targeting potential disaster victims and charitable donors following a hurricane. Fraudulent emails—often containing malicious links or attachments—are common after major natural disasters. Exercise caution in handling emails with hurricane-related subject lines, attachments, or hyperlinks. In addition, be wary of social […]

IT Regulatory Compliance Security

Timely Topics: Combating Check Fraud: Still A Major Challenge In The Digital Age Another recent check fraud scheme financial institutions have been combatting is fraudsters leveraging unwitting accomplices via Instagram. These individuals are contacting Instagram users and paying them to use their accounts to commit the scam. Then, the fraudster utilizes these accounts to post […]

IT Regulatory Compliance Security

Timely Topics: Scammers Pretend To Be U.S. Customs And Border Protection The latest twist is imposters who pose as agents and officers from U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP). Here’s how the ruse might play out. Scammers send you a recorded message saying illegal items were shipped in your name and have been intercepted. Or […]

Make Switching Banks Easy

You might consider switching banks for a host of reasons. You could be moving, or perhaps your banking relationship has grown tired. Maybe you want more personalized service from a truly local bank. Whatever your reason may be, it’s never been easier to switch to South Atlantic Bank. Follow this easy guide for how to […]

IT Regulatory Compliance Security

Timely Topics: Want To Work From Home? Spot The Scams First These days, working from home is pretty common. It’s a win-win for both those hoping to avoid a commute, and companies looking for talent from all over the world. You might even get a call or message about a job opportunity — but how […]

Business Banking Services

9 Banking Services That Can Make Life Easier for Your Business As a business owner, the large and small choices you make each day add up to create the future of your business. South Atlantic Bank’s Corporate Services offer a host of business banking services from which you can choose to ensure this success. Our […]

IT Regulatory Compliance Security

Timely Topics: ABA Foundation, FTC Release Consumer Education Infographic On Payment App Scams The American Bankers Association Foundation and the Federal Trade Commission today released an infographic with information to help consumers protect themselves when using mobile payment apps and services. The infographic, developed jointly by the ABA Foundation and the FTC, is part of […]

IT Regulatory Compliance Security

Timely Topics: It’s Financial Literacy Month: Protect Yourself From Scammers April kicks off Financial Literacy Month, which is often about managing your money and building savings. But this month, we want to talk about protecting what you have, and what you’re building, from scammers. From “Federal Trade Commission” Jim Kreidler (4/04/2022) Cybersecurity Advice To Protect Your Connected […]

IT Regulatory Compliance Security

Timely Topics: Myths And Truths About Security On HTTPS Sites Most often, malicious web servers use the HTTP protocol directly without data encryption. Hence the advice to validate which protocol is being used. Although rare, this does not mean that an attacker cannot use the HTTPS protocol on their fake or malicious website. In that […]

IT Regulatory Compliance Security

Timely Topics: The Top Cybersecurity Threats For 2022: And What Businesses Can Do To Protect Themselves Over 75% of cyber attacks start with someone opening a malicious email. These emails are designed to extract data from the recipient, usually a password, which is used to gain further access to an organization’s network. Once an account […]

IT Regulatory Compliance Security

Timely Topics: Child Tax Credit Scammers Are Still Reaching Out Many people have gotten their advance Child Tax Credit payments this year, but scammers are taking advantage of this new program to try to trick you out of money or information. They’re pretending to be the IRS, contacting people by phone, text, email, and social […]

IT Regulatory Compliance Security

Timely Topics: Avoiding Scams and Scammers When cybersecurity is inadequate, it can lead to stolen identity and financial loss. Most scams and scammers have two main goals–to steal your money and your identity. You should know what to look for, how they work, and what to do, so you can protect yourself and your finances. […]

IT Regulatory Compliance Security

Timely Topics: Gift Card Gang Extracts Cash From 100k Inboxes Daily Some of the most successful and lucrative online scams employ a “low-and-slow” approach — avoiding detection or interference from researchers and law enforcement agencies by stealing small bits of cash from many people over an extended period. Here’s the story of a cybercrime group […]

Get Smart About Credit!

Your Financial Reputation is Important. Your financial reputation is important to us at South Atlantic Bank. We’re here to help you maintain good credit by making wise financial decisions. It is important to understand that “good” or “excellent” credit is necessary when exploring the best options for your money. Just like your social status, making […]

IT Regulatory Compliance Security

Timely Topics: Your Work Email Address Is Your Work’s Email Address Some people had an expectation of conducting personal activities on work accounts without the oversight of their employer. Especially in an era where we’re walking around with super computers in our pockets and on our wrists and free personal accounts by the likes of […]

IT Regulatory Compliance Security

Account Holder Updates: Your Guide To Protecting Your Privacy Online The things we do throughout the course of our day give businesses access to information about our habits, tastes, and activities. Some might use it to deliver targeted ads to you, or to give you content based on your location, like stores nearby or the […]

Can You Afford Your Dream Home?

Understand Housing and Debt Ratios! When it comes to purchasing a home, you never want to put yourself in a tough financial situation. Figure out what you can afford before you go house hunting. This way, your dream home is never out of reach. Ratios There are a few ratios you can use to see […]

The Right Checking Account For You.

Find Your Fit with South Atlantic Bank! One size does not fit all. Believe it or not, bank checking accounts vary dramatically based on the financial institution. With so many big decisions in life, your checking account may have been skimmed over. South Atlantic Bank can help you avoid fees, set up protection plans, earn […]

IT Regulatory Compliance Security

Account Holder Updates: FBI: State And Local Governments Losing Millions To BEC Attackers are targeting state, local, tribal and territorial (SLTT) government entities, masquerading as vendors and suppliers. They use phishing attacks to hijack email accounts at these companies and send urgent fake invoices to their government clients. From “Info Security Magazine” Phil Muncaster (3/22/2021) […]

Six Ways to Master Mobile Banking

We know how busy life can get on the Carolina Coast. That’s why we’ve stuffed our goMobile app with a host of free, easy-to-use features that let you manage your money on the go. No matter if you have an Apple or Android-based smartphone or tablet, we’ve got you covered. That means you can bring the […]

Discover Apple Pay—The Contactless, Touchless Way to Pay

Do you have an iPhone®, iPad®, or Apple Watch®? If so, we’d like to take a moment to tell you about a safe, easy way South Atlantic Bank clients can pay online or from anywhere life takes you!  No more worries about leaving your South Atlantic Bank Mastercard® debit card behind—Apple Pay® allows you to store […]

Today’s History: Museums in Georgetown, SC

It’s time to get out and explore the culture and history of Georgetown—a charming Southern community that may have been North America’s first European settlement almost 500 years ago. Whether you’re a native, a new resident, or a visitor, we invite you to take a trip down memory lane and visit one of our top […]

Top Five Things for Families To Do in Mt. Pleasant, SC

Having sustained significant damage from Hurricane Hugo in September 1989, residents of Mt. Pleasant, SC., were undaunted and rebuilt their city into one of the fastest-growing communities along the South Carolina coast.  Today, Mt. Pleasant offers local families, business professionals, and vacationers alike an authentic taste of urban community and historical significance. In 2010, Mt. […]

Eight Ways to Simplify Your Business Cash Flow

At South Atlantic Bank, we know what it takes to live and work on the Carolina Coast. That’s why we offer cash management solutions tailor-made for businesses of all shapes and sizes. From electronic payments and mobile deposits to sweep services, fraud prevention, and wire transfers, we can help you manage your money better. That […]

Think All Checking Accounts Are the Same? Think Again.

Years ago, banks would offer potential customers a single, one-sized-fits-all checking account—little more than a place for them to store their money. While other banks might still pitch those same, staid products, South Atlantic Bank offers five different personal checking accounts tailor-made for you and your lifestyle. All South Atlantic Bank checking accounts include unlimited […]

Where the Locals Eat: Charleston’s Can’t-Miss Restaurants

Charleston, South Carolina, is known for some of the freshest, most flavorful seafood you can find anywhere. In fact, the local catch of the day comes fresh off the dock—literally—before traveling to some of the area’s finest restaurants. But don’t think restaurants within this legendary lowcountry landmark destination offer only delicious dishes from the sea. […]

Where the Locals Play: Myrtle Beach Golf Courses

With so many golf courses in the Myrtle Beach area, it can be hard to know which links are legendary and which are lackluster. So we polled 10 avid golfers—all members of our South Atlantic Bank family—to help uncover the “can’t miss” courses favored by local residents. Surf Golf and Beach Club 1701 Springland Ln. […]

Six Types of Home Loans—Which Is Right for You?

When it comes time to turn the house of your dreams into your family’s home, it’s important to find the right mortgage. We’ve got great news—South Atlantic Bank offers a variety of loan programs to meet your residential mortgage needs WHAT’S IN A HOME LOAN? First, let’s start with a few terms you might have […]

Take Care of Business with Clover and South Atlantic Bank

Planning to open your first business? Or maybe business is booming, and you’re ready to take yours to the next level. In either case, a state-of-the-art Clover™ Payment point-of-sale system can help you manage your business like never before.  With the state-of-the-art Clover Mini, the portable Clover Flex and Clover Go, your business can take […]

Three Ways for Your Money to Make Money

Are you looking for ways to grow your money for the future? Whatever your goal may be—a rainy-day fund or something more substantial—there are a number of financial products that can help you begin saving for tomorrow. Let’s take a look at three of the most common types and show you how they might work […]

How to Keep Your Financial Account Safe

Whether you’re banking in a South Atlantic branch, online, or on your smartphone or tablet, South Atlantic Bank protects your personal and financial information like it’s our own. We use 24/7 monitoring systems and the latest technology to keep your accounts safe—anytime, anywhere. As you go about your day-to-day life, we encourage you to be […]

Myrtle Beach: The Mini Golf Capital of the World

Did you know professional putt-putt was a thing? It’s actually a pretty big deal, and Myrtle Beach is home to more mini-golf courses than any other city in America.  The United States ProMiniGolf Association (USPMGA) hosts PGA-style tournaments for professionals, seniors (50+), juniors (12 and under), and women, as well as amateur players looking to […]

Business Checking Accounts You Can Bank On

At South Atlantic Bank, we work with businesses of all sizes—from beachside food trucks to large corporations headquartered along the Carolina Coast. No matter where you’re at or how you’re looking to grow, we’ve got a business checking account that’s tailor-made for your business needs. Ready to find your fit? COMPARE CHECKING ACCOUNTS Business Analysis […]

Where the Locals Eat: The Best Calabash Seafood Restaurants Near Myrtle Beach

If you’ve spent any time along the Carolina Coast, you’ve undoubtedly seen restaurants or food trucks that feature Calabash-style seafood on the menu. Whether you’re local or new to the area, this deep-fried, cornmeal-battered delicacy will tantalize your taste buds. Lucky for you, there are lots of seafood restaurants in the area. Still, in hopes […]

We Answer Your First-Time Homebuyer Questions

Are you looking to make the switch from renting to buying? It’s one of the most significant decisions you’ll ever make, and finding the right financing is a big part of it.  Don’t worry—we’ve got you covered. Our experienced mortgage team is ready to answer any questions you might have, from determining just how much […]

IT Regulatory Compliance Security

Account Holder Updates Deep Dive: Fighting Back Against The Fraud Plaguing P2P Payment Apps Payment app users also have to take security into their own hands. The first step is often fixing poor password hygiene. A recent study from data analytics firm FICO found that only 37 percent of bank customers use separate passwords for […]

Economic Impact Payments

South Atlantic Bank answers your questions about the upcoming Economic Impact Payments. To view the information, download the PDF.

Pawleys Island

Compared to South Carolina’s larger, tourist-focused areas like Myrtle Beach and Charleston, Pawleys Island, offers residents and visitors more of a getaway feel. The town has beautiful beaches, fresh seafood, gorgeous golf courses, and plenty of solid surf drawing laid-back South Carolinians and beach lovers from across the country to one of our area’s lesser-known […]

Take a Walk in Murrells Inlet

Are you looking for an out-of-the-ordinary adventure that’s suitable for the whole family? Head to the Murrells Inlet MarshWalk, located in Murrells Inlet, SC.  This historic fishing village is one of the state’s oldest coastal communities. Its main attraction—a 1/2-mile wooden boardwalk over a natural saltwater marsh—offers a wealth of waterfront dining, sightseeing, and entertainment […]

Three Ways to Save for College

College can be expensive. In fact, researchers at EducationData.org discovered that the average yearly price of tuition, fees, room, and board during the 2019-2020 academic year was $30,500. That’s a whopping $122,000 over four years. Once you account for the fact that less than 40% of students actually complete a four-year degree in four years, the price […]

Turn It Up: The Best Places to Hear Live Music in Myrtle Beach

From dive bars at the Boardwalk to big-city stages, Myrtle Beach offers an endless number of places for locals and visitors to kick back, relax, and take in live music seven days (or nights) a week.  To learn more about which concert venues should be on your must-see list, we polled a dozen or so […]

Digital Banking That’s Tailor-Made for You

At South Atlantic Bank, we’re making it easier than ever to bank from wherever you are—at home, on the beach, on the water, and beyond. With 24/7/365 access to South Atlantic Bank’s suite of digital banking services, you can access your accounts from anywhere you have an internet connection! Online Banking Bring the bank right […]

Out and About: Things to Do in Bluffton, SC

Located just inland of South Carolina’s Hilton Head Island, the charming town of Bluffton is one of the Lowcountry’s best-kept secrets. It boasts a unique collection of pristine golf courses, culinary delights, memorable outdoor activities, and old-world charm that shows why locals say, “Bluffton is a state of mind.” And with that, here are our […]

Avoid COVID-19 Scams

Stimulus check scams will be common as the government prepares to send out money. Do not respond to texts or emails about the checks or direct deposit payment. Remember, the government: Will not ask you to pay anything up front to get this money. No fees. No charges. Will not call and ask for your […]

The Safest Place for Your Money

We have temporarily converted to drive-thru only service to protect the health of our customers and employees. This is a healthcare crisis not a financial crisis, and we are doing our part to contain the virus. We have changed our operating conditions to protect the community, but we stand ready, as always, to serve our […]

Stay Cyber Safe

With the spread of COVID-19, cyber criminals are ready to take advantage of the situation. Here are some reminders to keep yourself safe: South Atlantic Bank, the US government, or any legitimate company will NEVER call OR email you and ask you for your: social security number, personal bank account information, credit card information, or […]

Electronic Banking Tips

By using our Electronic Banking options, you can bank from home and access your accounts anytime. Online Banking transfers funds view account activity make loan payments issue stop payments pay your bills goMobile Banking App transfer funds check your account balances pay bills remote deposit report a card lost or stolen Telephone Banking 24/7 – […]